I am headed to Death Valley in April. I've previously photographed at the Race Track from afternoon to sunset, driving back to my lodging in the dark.
This time I am considering camping overnight at the Race Track to catch the early morning light. I am very interested to hear the experiences of anyone who has done this and any tips are greatly appreciated.
There's sites at the bottom end of the track, a bit less than a mile after the end of the actual racetrack I think. It's higher in altitude than the valley's in the death valley, so it'll be a little colder. I stayed there in the winter once and it was pretty chilly, in March I believe it wasn't too bad when I was there once. Bring everything you need of course.
Honestly, morning light is not all that great at The Racetrack.. You have a mountain range to the east and west of the racetrack. Best bet is sunset or late afternoon shooting out there....
Agree with Eric, you won't get much light on the racetrack until pretty late in the morning.... drive slowly out after sunrise at the Stovepipe wells dunes and then drive carefully back at night, or camp for the night and drive back the next day after trying a sunrise. If you get clouds and they glow, it would be worth the attempt but lighting will still be minimal on the actually playa.
I've camped at the Racetrack twice. Both times I spent a good portion of the night out on the playa with a flask of scotch, a full moon and no one else around. It just doesn't get much better in my book! And I also agree that morning light there isn't much to get excited about.
Thanks for the replies so far. Sounds like the classic Race Track compositions are not possible early in the morning. But I can get those in the afternoon.
Since I will be there during the full moon (I'll have to stock some scotch), there will be the opportunity for a moon rise or moon set. Possibly some long time exposures at night. Or if there is the right kind of clouds, to get some color in the morning sky.
There is an official camping area called the Homestake Dry Camp a mile or so south of the Racetrack near the Lippincott Mine. You can sleep where Charley Manson's crew torched a road grader back in '69. If you cook dinner you'll likely get a visit from this cute little guy: http://www.teamsk.org/jay/2/img_5566-2.jpg
I only had a P&S at hand and there was no going for the SLR while dinner was out.
Rant warning -
Only listen to Rangers as an absolute last resort. They say whatever they can to keep you from venturing out where they might have to get out of their easy chair and come rescue or arrest you. Yes, I have had a number of Rangers lie to me or withhold information and one Cal State Park Ranger in Red Rock Canyon said that is was their policy to do so. If you see a sign in that park that says absolutely, positively, no admittance, area closed, you will be arrested, this means you - and you are on foot - just ignore it and be on your marry way. Those signs apply only to motorized vehicles.
We've also camped a mile south at the Lippincott Mine area. If you take the road up toward the mouth of the mine, there is a pretty good high campsite with a nice view.
TeamSK jay wrote:
There is an official camping area called the Homestake Dry Camp a mile or so south of the Racetrack near the Lippincott Mine. You can sleep where Charley Manson's crew torched a road grader back in '69. If you cook dinner you'll likely get a visit from this cute little guy: http://www.teamsk.org/jay/2/img_5566-2.jpg
I only had a P&S at hand and there was no going for the SLR while dinner was out.
Rant warning -
Only listen to Rangers as an absolute last resort. They say whatever they can to keep you from venturing out where they might have to get out of their easy chair and come rescue or arrest you. Yes, I have had a number of Rangers lie to me or withhold information and one Cal State Park Ranger in Red Rock Canyon said that is was their policy to do so. If you see a sign in that park that says absolutely, positively, no admittance, area closed, you will be arrested, this means you - and you are on foot - just ignore it and be on your marry way. Those signs apply only to motorized vehicles....Show more →
I am in Death Valley right now . The mis information coming from the rangers is beyond belief . I have street legal all terrain vehicles . The ranger lady says I can't ride them anywhere in the park on established roads . She argues her point in front of ten or so people . I then take the map she gave me and show her and everyone else that if you reside in a state that allows you to license a atv for street use that it can be driven in a national park . She did not know what to say after reading it in the booklet she just gave me . Park rangers are as dumb as the day is long .
There is also an unofficial campsite on the trail up to Ubehebe Peak. The site is marked by a fire ring (even though fires are not permitted). It is up high enough for a nice view of the playa. The view is even nicer at the peak.
If you enjoy hiking and camping, you can definitely spend a few days between the two sites, hiking in and out of Saline Valley and Hidden Valley.
joed67 wrote:
There is also an unofficial campsite on the trail up to Ubehebe Peak. The site is marked by a fire ring (even though fires are not permitted). It is up high enough for a nice view of the playa. The view is even nicer at the peak.
Doug
I got snow there in march a few years ago.. that was exciting! Lovely view indeed though.
Thanks again for all the great information, I really appreciate everyone sharing their advice and experiences. Looks like the Lippincott Mine area is the place to camp.
Exactly one year ago I was in DV and had sprinkles of rain on the playa and there was a serious thunder storm at Eureka that blew down some camps. That night there was a light rain most of the night at the big campground near Scottys castle. In the morning all the mountains were white with snow. I drove over to Eureka this day and it was so smooth I could cruise at 45 all the way to the pass with no problems. Weather was pleasant but windy at Eureka. At the crest of the dune the wind was blowing about 60, I could not stand up. Winds were blowing about 30 to 40 at Stove pipe and Mesquite dunes. No footprint problems!! I was worried about walking the dunes in such wind but it was not bad. The sand blows mostly below knee level and you can safely shoot from a tripod. Stay near the tops of the dunes so the sand can not blow over you from above.
I shot till dark at the playa and drove out at night so I could have an earlier start the next day for Eureka. I would like to camp there sometime but being in the right location to start your day is essential in DV because the distances are so great. Planning is the most important part of a DV adventure but in spite of my efforts I still sometimes get to the right place at the wrong time.
realkuhl wrote:
Agree with Eric, you won't get much light on the racetrack until pretty late in the morning.... drive slowly out after sunrise at the Stovepipe wells dunes and then drive carefully back at night, or camp for the night and drive back the next day after trying a sunrise. If you get clouds and they glow, it would be worth the attempt but lighting will still be minimal on the actually playa.
agree 100%
catch sunrise at the dunes, afternoon at the racetrack, but then i say camp the night. it's always been near the top of my list for creative startrail shots... maybe even have some fun with some spot lights and long exposures... you could get some pretty crazy stuff........
