Day Itinerary
10 Activities
Day 2
296 mi
Furnace Creek, Nevada to Mammoth Lakes, California
Today's another early riser; there are simply too many adventures to be had — and a fair bit of ground to cover, plus CCS charge points. Grab a coffee or light bite at the hotel to go, if you need a little something to jump start the day. After visits to a few of intriguing Death Valley points of interest along the route, it's time for to break for breakfast at one of the only restaurants within 100 miles (not counting Furnace Creek). That may be an exaggeration, but only barely.
After charging up at a the nearest available location west of the national park, there's lunch in the Eastern Sierras town of Lone Pine, famously the gateway to hike the summit of Mt. Whitney, a 14,505-foot peak in the Sierra Nevadas that's also the tallest mountain in the Lower 48. A short scenic hike is in store for the afternoon, with more views of Whitney and the desert expanse beyond, plus a few stops along the way to Mammoth Lakes — tonight's overnight. From Death Valley to the Sierra Nevadas in a day; now that's a road trip day done right.
After charging up at a the nearest available location west of the national park, there's lunch in the Eastern Sierras town of Lone Pine, famously the gateway to hike the summit of Mt. Whitney, a 14,505-foot peak in the Sierra Nevadas that's also the tallest mountain in the Lower 48. A short scenic hike is in store for the afternoon, with more views of Whitney and the desert expanse beyond, plus a few stops along the way to Mammoth Lakes — tonight's overnight. From Death Valley to the Sierra Nevadas in a day; now that's a road trip day done right.
3.2 mi
10 min
Harmony Borax Works
Open Details
At this stop, an easy, 0.4-mile loop trail encircles the site of one of the earliest business enterprises in Death Valley. Harmony Borax Works was hugely instrumental in any sort of early development of civilization here — from roads in and out of the valley (the same ones as today, only now they're paved), to basic necessities for living in Death Valley year round.
At its height, the plant employed 40 workers, which processed 3 tons of borax a day, that had to be "shipped" out of the valley via a team of up to 20 mules pulling double wagons like the one at the site. The business shuttered after just five years (check out the link above for the full story), but there's no doubt Harmony Borax Works helped put Death Valley on the map.
At its height, the plant employed 40 workers, which processed 3 tons of borax a day, that had to be "shipped" out of the valley via a team of up to 20 mules pulling double wagons like the one at the site. The business shuttered after just five years (check out the link above for the full story), but there's no doubt Harmony Borax Works helped put Death Valley on the map.
13.2 mi
20 min
Salt Creek Interpretive Trail
Open Details
Depending on what time you're visiting, Salt Creek may actually be flowing with water — right here in the middle of Death Valley. The creek is active November through May; in the spring rainy season (February through April), there's actual fish in the creek, the Salt Creek Pupfish.
A 0.5-mile easy boardwalk trail loops around the location and features interpretive signs about pupfish lifecycles and behavior, as well as their adaptations for living in Death Valley. If you're visiting during the dry season, the trail still affords a nice walk in the desert, but you also have the option to keep going for more time at the sand dunes, up next.
A 0.5-mile easy boardwalk trail loops around the location and features interpretive signs about pupfish lifecycles and behavior, as well as their adaptations for living in Death Valley. If you're visiting during the dry season, the trail still affords a nice walk in the desert, but you also have the option to keep going for more time at the sand dunes, up next.
10.7 mi
15 min
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Open Details
It takes just the right conditions in the desert for sand dunes to happen, otherwise they would be prolific in deserts everywhere. Death Valley's Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes stay put here because of the right combination of wind, sand, and barriers that keep the sand from blowing further afield (in this case, the mountains).
There is no official trail here at Mesquite Flat, which is named for the squat trees that grow here; their twisted, bent shapes are a survival adaptation to prevent being buried by the shifting sands. Have a look about and see give it a shot climbing one of the closer dune ridges; the dunes are also a great backdrop for photos.
Parking along Highway 190 on the way.
There is no official trail here at Mesquite Flat, which is named for the squat trees that grow here; their twisted, bent shapes are a survival adaptation to prevent being buried by the shifting sands. Have a look about and see give it a shot climbing one of the closer dune ridges; the dunes are also a great backdrop for photos.
Parking along Highway 190 on the way.
2.1 mi
5 min
Toll Road Restaurant
Open Details
After a few AM adventures, it's time for breakfast. Toll Road Restaurant in Stovepipe Wells serves a buffet-style breakfast daily that's pretty straightforward, but gets the job done when in the proverbial middle of nowhere. (There's a General Store on property, too, in case you'd rather look into grab-and-go options.)
Death Valley's only option for an a la carte breakfast is back at The Inn at Death Valley; the hotel serves breakfast in its Dining Room and on the Pool Terrace (weather permitting) from 7 am daily — so you could certainly enjoy something from the breakfast menu there before getting on the road today and skip the Toll Road Restaurant — but that means a fairly large gap until today's late lunch. With the right car snacks, it's certainly doable; it's all up to what you'd prefer.
Death Valley's only option for an a la carte breakfast is back at The Inn at Death Valley; the hotel serves breakfast in its Dining Room and on the Pool Terrace (weather permitting) from 7 am daily — so you could certainly enjoy something from the breakfast menu there before getting on the road today and skip the Toll Road Restaurant — but that means a fairly large gap until today's late lunch. With the right car snacks, it's certainly doable; it's all up to what you'd prefer.
117.1 mi
2 hrs 15 min
Electrify America Charging Station
Open Details
For now, this is the closest and best EV Charge Point on this side of Death Valley National Park (there's one coming to Lone Pine soon). On the upside, there are 7 plugs at least — a smart move given that EVs are the future of driving. The gas station itself is closed for renovations presently but all recent reports on PlugShare show the chargers are working and everything generally runs smoothly.
Unfortunately, there's not much to do around here, but there's another charge point in just over 100 miles so don't necessarily worry about getting the EV to 100%. For some shade, you might try the Coso Junction Rest Area across the way.
Type: CCS 7 plugs Power: 150 – 350 kW
Unfortunately, there's not much to do around here, but there's another charge point in just over 100 miles so don't necessarily worry about getting the EV to 100%. For some shade, you might try the Coso Junction Rest Area across the way.
Type: CCS 7 plugs Power: 150 – 350 kW
40.1 mi
40 min
Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery
Open Details
Because of needing to charge up, it's a bit of a late lunch today, and on some days of the week Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery may already be closing up shop. A local favorite, the cafe's lunch menu is mostly sandwiches and burgers, with a few salad options and a soup of the day.
Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery goes the extra mile, baking their own hamburger buns, roasting the turkey for a California Club sandwich with thick-cut bacon or the Owens Valley Melt (grilled roasted turkey sandwich with tomatoes, ortega chilies, avocado, and jack cheese). Of course, you have to try a slice of pie — the real question is, will it be apple, peach, cherry, or triple berry?
Friday – Sunday 6:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
Alabama Hills Cafe & Bakery goes the extra mile, baking their own hamburger buns, roasting the turkey for a California Club sandwich with thick-cut bacon or the Owens Valley Melt (grilled roasted turkey sandwich with tomatoes, ortega chilies, avocado, and jack cheese). Of course, you have to try a slice of pie — the real question is, will it be apple, peach, cherry, or triple berry?
Friday – Sunday 6:00 am – 3:00 pm Monday – Thursday 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
4.4 mi
15 min
Mobius Arch Loop Trailhead
Open Details
The Alabama Hills aren't exactly hills so much as giant rock structures of all sorts sorts of shapes and sizes — including rock arches like the Mobius Arch — worn smooth by the constant buffering of wind over the millennia.
The ground in fact is what has eroded over time, exposing the massive rocks and creating this surreal playground that has inspired more than a few Hollywood filmmakers. It's okay to go off the 0.6-mile trail to scramble around on the rocks, check out something nearby you want to see a little closer, or get the photo angle you're looking for. But don't wander so far you don't have your points of orientation.
The ground in fact is what has eroded over time, exposing the massive rocks and creating this surreal playground that has inspired more than a few Hollywood filmmakers. It's okay to go off the 0.6-mile trail to scramble around on the rocks, check out something nearby you want to see a little closer, or get the photo angle you're looking for. But don't wander so far you don't have your points of orientation.
62.6 mi
1 hr 10 min
Electrify America Charging Station - 100003
Open Details
You'll want to make sure to get a full charge here at this Electrify America Charging Station, to set up the drive for tomorrow. Thankfully it's at least located in location with options. There's a pizza joint in the parking lot — just don't spoil your appetite for dinner — and a Vons grocery store to prowl, which is perfect timing really. You definitely need to stock up on plenty of water and road snacks for tomorrow's drive day, as there won't be time in the morning, and there's not a whole lot of the everyday signs of civilization along the route.
Type: CCS 7 plugs Power: 150 - 350 kW
Type: CCS 7 plugs Power: 150 - 350 kW
41.7 mi
50 min
Mammoth Tavern - Mammoth
Open Details
Located in the first shopping plaza in Mammoth Lakes in a corner closest to the mountain, Mammoth Tavern's menu is far from your average bar fare; it's more of a bistro-style menu in a relaxed bar/restaurant setting. Tavern "snacks" include oysters three ways, house potato chips with onion dip, Spanish-style croquettes, and crispy Brussels sprouts with pancetta. The rest of the menu full follows along the same suit.
If you're feeling a bit tired from the long drive day, there's no harm in ever ordering takeout and having a drink at the bar while it's prepared — plus, tonight's resort is all condos and townhouses, which means there will be a full kitchen, dining room, and living room with a comfy couch or two to kick back and relax for the evening.
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
If you're feeling a bit tired from the long drive day, there's no harm in ever ordering takeout and having a drink at the bar while it's prepared — plus, tonight's resort is all condos and townhouses, which means there will be a full kitchen, dining room, and living room with a comfy couch or two to kick back and relax for the evening.
Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
1.7 mi
5 min
Juniper Springs Resort
Open Details
Mammoth Springs is home base to Southern California's best ski/snowboard resort, Mammoth Mountain. But as a resort town surrounded by mountains, it's a truly beautiful destination any time of year.
Juniper Springs backs right up to the mountain — it's so close that there's a chairlift right outside that drops you off at a location on the mountain where you could easily ski/snowboard down to the main basin for the other lifts. The resort itself is all condos and townhouses, with balconies, fireplaces, and full kitchens, in addition to the wintertime ski in/ski out access. There are also 6 hot tubs and 2 heated pools on property.
The area around Mammoth Lakes is incredibly rich and there's plenty to do for everyone. If time is on your side, stay a couple more days to explore the mountains and lakes. Hiking, skiing and snowboarding in winter, a variety of summer activities - mmm... fantastic!
Juniper Springs backs right up to the mountain — it's so close that there's a chairlift right outside that drops you off at a location on the mountain where you could easily ski/snowboard down to the main basin for the other lifts. The resort itself is all condos and townhouses, with balconies, fireplaces, and full kitchens, in addition to the wintertime ski in/ski out access. There are also 6 hot tubs and 2 heated pools on property.
The area around Mammoth Lakes is incredibly rich and there's plenty to do for everyone. If time is on your side, stay a couple more days to explore the mountains and lakes. Hiking, skiing and snowboarding in winter, a variety of summer activities - mmm... fantastic!