Las Vegas to Bakersfield via Death Valley in one day

Death Valley in one day - on way to SF bay area

We spent midnight 2014 December 31st at strip and late night decided to cover Death Valley on way back to SF bay area. We are traveling with our 7 yrs old. Though it was difficult we hit road by 10 AM. Out initial plan was cover a couple of prominent places and take CA 178 so we can spend few minutes at Isabella lake and reach Bakersfield by 6 PM and reach bay area by midnight.

We started driving NV 160 north, then CA 190. We briefly stopped at a location where we bought park ticket $20 using a vending machine. But no one checked tickets anywhere and didn't see any posts too. But looking at facilities $20 is totally worth.

link to map

Twenty Mule Team Canyon - a random stop 

On way, we found a dirt road with 'Do not entry' board. So decided to skip, but later realized it was, may be 2 miles long oneway dirt loop road called Twenty Mule Team Canyon. You will hit this just before Zabriskie point. It was a great sight. It looks like some far away planet with very unique mud hills. While going through loop we stopped at at a place where there is some place to park and already found few cars. Apparently it is a great spot for hiking. Sure will get great pics. Hike is not that tough, but a bit slippery due to small stones.

Furnace creek ranch and visitors center 

Stopped at Furnace creek ranch.  The old steam wagon is great piece to look at and wonder about the very first locomotives. And also craftsman ship of those days like making those huge wheels (look like 12 feet  diameter wheels). That was used to haul away borax mineral from mines replacing probably mule carts info board says. And area in general, will bring back any memories you have about western movies backdrops. Right next to ranch, exists information center which was updated during 2012. Facility was good with lot of interesting information for kids. Even info videos are great. Being Jan 1st, we thought we will find no one. But it was full of volunteers and they were very enthusiastic and helpful. You can buy park entry ticket there too. You will get a map too that gives you lot more info. Keep it handy as GPS may not work so well.

We had lunch at visitors center which we bought at Vegas. But ranch has couple of restaurants and general store. So sure you can find some thing easily.

Then we stopped at Mesquite sand dunes and it was already 2 PM.  Its another great location to slide and jump. But you may have to walk at least quarter mile to reach those sand dunes. Of course, if you care, you will get great pictures.

Mosaic canyon road

Near Stovepipe Wells village we took Mosaic canyon road which is 2.5 mile uphill dirt/gravel road. And after 1/4 mile walk you will hit the Mosaic canyon road. While 20 mule trail is dirt one, this one is full of stone. It looks like nature has cut through mountain to make this trail.  We didn't go all the way to end but went for 1/2 mile. At some places stones are very shiny and smooth. So have good shoes with grip. View of valley was breathtaking from that elevation as you can see millions of acer land with sun shining and mountain shadows. It was already 4 pm.

We took CA178, instead of high way 395 and reached Ridgecrest by 7 pm. Had dinner at Denny's feels so great. Our initial plan was to continue 178 but took CA-14 South (Aerospace hwy) and CA-58 west reached 10 PM.  Route CA-14 is very lonely one until you hit Cantil. So make sure to get gas at Ridgecrest. Once you hit CA-58 west its pretty busy one. And in 4 hours by 2 AM we are in San Jose.