My friends and I spent a total of four days traveling the "off road" trails throughout the park doing side hikes and seeing the sites along the way. After a full day of touring we would set up camp with breathtaking views of snow capped mountains above and the wild flower filled valley below.

As for the kayaking; it was pretty much what I expected. We put in about a mile or two south of the Badwater parking area and splashed around in the shin deep water for about an hour. The water was incredibly salty and within minuets my boat, paddle, and body was covered with a film of dried salt. While on the water I somehow got it in my head that I had to attempt to roll my kayak in Death Valley. After passing my camera off to a friend that was standing next to me (a half mile off shore) I attempted a roll. Unfortunately the water proved to be a bit too shallow to even get the boat over, so with a nose full of super-salty water I had to give up and settle for just paddling.

Kayaking the temporary lake seems to be a popular pastime this year, while I was in the park I saw at least a dozen other kayaks either on cars or on the water. One person I spoke to said that two months ago there was almost three feet of water in the lake. At this rate you may have only a few! weeks left to dip your boat in Death Valley. The kayaking is what it is, but if the unique experience of paddling the desert takes you out there it's well worth the drive.

I do have a few pictures to share I will send an e-mail when I get an account set up where I can display/share the pictures.

Jake Stachovak