Vegas and Death Valley National Park

Oct 8th, 2025

Rest Day in Las Vegas

I woke up close to 11 a.m. at the Oasis at the Gold Spike Hotel in Las Vegas. I’d say it was a fair night of sleep. The hotel isn’t the best, but it’s decent. One thing I noticed right away was the strong air freshener smell throughout the building, which I’m very sensitive to because of my allergies.

I looked for a breakfast spot within walking distance and ended up at Parlour Coffee and Cooking. Such a lovely place. I drank plenty of coffee and enjoyed my meal while taking in the artist’s window view. Something I’ve noticed about myself is that I can hear conversations around me and pick up on what people at nearby tables are talking about. It’s fascinating to observe how everyone is dealing with life in their own way.

After leaving the restaurant, I walked around for a bit. I really appreciated the artistic side of the city, even as I passed so many abandoned hotels and countless homeless people around the Fremont Street area. By the time I made it back to the hotel, it was almost 1 p.m., and I had already walked about three miles.

I wanted to go to the pool, but didn’t feel like driving anywhere. Circa Resort & Casino was within walking distance, so I packed my things and bought some sunscreen on the way. This was my first time seeing such a massive space; it felt like a city inside a cereal box (Hotel). I arrived at the pool around 2 p.m, a multi-level pool amphitheater with six pools and two spas spread across three levels, all overlooking giant screens.

I grabbed a beer and spent the afternoon sunbathing and fully embracing Vegas pool mode in early October. I took a few naps, and suddenly it was 5 p.m. As the sun started to go down, I headed back to my hotel around 5:30.

Later that evening, I took a few more walks around the downtown strip looking for dinner and ended up at Park on Fremont. Most restaurants in the area had a traditional bar-and-grill feel. I couldn’t find any Middle Eastern restaurants within walking distance downtown.

By around 9 p.m., I was back in my hotel room, resting and hoping for a good night of sleep.

Oct 9th, 2025

Death Valley National Park

I woke up around 6:30 a.m., before my 7 a.m. alarm. I packed my belongings into the car, grabbed a coffee from a nearby Starbucks, and hit the road. The drive to Death Valley took almost two hours, passing through the town of Pahrump. I enjoyed the coffee, the drive, and the beautiful desert scenery along the way.

Even in the early morning, it was already close to 80 degrees, but the dry heat is much more tolerable than the humidity.

I arrived at the park’s entry sign at 8:53 a.m. There were only a few cars so far, but the heat was already building.

My first stop was Dante’s View. Sitting over 5,000 feet above the valley floor, it offered an unbeatable panoramic view of the salt flats at Badwater Basin and the surrounding Black Mountains. The contrast between the bright white valley floor and the rugged, dark mountains was dramatic and beautiful. The drive up was winding but manageable, and the view was absolutely stunning, easily one of the best overlooks in Death Valley.

From the parking lot, I decided to hike farther up for even better views. I was completely alone and enjoyed every moment. It was a time of peace and tranquility, gazing at desert mountains under a wide blue sky. The landscape was rocky and dry, with mountains layered in striking bands of rusty reds, browns, grays, and hints of gold, such a unique geology. The vast valley below gave a powerful sense of remoteness. Wispy white clouds drifted overhead, casting shadows that danced across the mountains and valley. One of the best views I’ve ever seen.

I returned to my car around 10:30 a.m. after almost two miles of hiking. I didn’t want to leave, but I had to. So far, I was completely speechless; Death Valley might be my favorite national park yet.

My second stop was Zabriskie Point. I hiked about a mile and a half before deciding not to continue farther. Zabriskie Point offers a surreal landscape of eroded badlands and golden hills. The scenery is striking, with dramatic ridges and rich desert textures stretching endlessly. Even under muted light, the view felt soft and otherworldly. In ideal lighting, the layered colors truly come alive. It’s an easy walk from the parking lot, but it gets extremely hot; early visits and plenty of water are essential. I also found it interesting to learn about the history of borax mining and how much the area has changed over time.

I then drove to Furnace Creek Visitor Center, which was closed due to the shutdown, but I was grateful to refill my water. Furnace Creek Village is the heart of Death Valley, a green oasis below sea level, home to lodging, camping, and the world’s lowest golf course. The visit center sign read 93 degrees temperature, and the village sits at 190 feet below sea level in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

By noon, my next stop was Harmony Borax Works. I walked just over half a mile through the site, an 1880s borax processing operation known for its iconic 20-Mule Team wagons that hauled borax 165 miles across the desert. Chinese laborers made up most of the workforce, enduring brutal conditions and low wages. Built by W.T. Coleman, the operation closed in 1888. Today, the preserved ruins tell a powerful story of Death Valley’s mining past. I met a motorcyclist riding across the country. We didn’t talk long, but it was nice sharing a brief moment.

At 12:44 p.m., I stopped at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, but the heat and strong wind convinced me to skip the hike.

This park is massive, so much driving, endless terrain. I couldn’t help thinking I should have spent a night here instead of Las Vegas.

One place I really wanted to visit was the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns, even though it was over an hour away. I’m so glad I went. I took Emigrant Canyon Road, a narrow and remote drive where I didn’t see a single car. After seven miles of bumpy, unpaved road past Wildrose Campground, I arrived at 2 p.m.

The kilns are a row of ten beehive-shaped stone structures built in 1877 to produce charcoal for nearby silver mines. Located in the cooler, higher-elevation Wildrose Canyon, they are remarkably well preserved. I spent about 30 minutes there and only saw one other vehicle. I skipped the Wilderness Peak hike; it was over four miles, and it was time to move on.

Death Valley is absolutely a place I want to return to spend several nights enjoying the night sky, sunsets, and sunrises. On the drive out, I passed a sign for the Skidoo Pipeline, a 23-mile water pipeline built in 1907 for the gold-mining town of Skidoo. There is so much history here. I also spotted several wild donkeys along the way.

After reaching Highway 190, I stopped at Stovepipe Wells for gas and a cold drink, very much needed. The wind had picked up, and sand was blowing everywhere. It felt like being on another planet. I made sure to take a photo at the sea level sign, a contrast to being 6,800 feet earlier at Wildrose.

Some places I wished I’d had time to visit:

Twenty Mule Team Canyon

Red Cathedral

Golden Canyon Trail

 

The drive to Great Basin National Park was about five and a half hours. From Highway 190, I took Daylight Pass Road into Nevada, then Highway 375, Highway 95, and eventually reached Tonopah, where I stopped for gas, pizza, and beer. Tonopah is a historic mining town known as the “Queen of the Silver Camps,” with eerie Old West vibes, quirky attractions, and deep desert character. I even learned there’s a small mountain there called Mount Ararat.

After resting, I continued driving as the sun set around 7 p.m., taking Highway 6, also called the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, nearly 200 miles toward Ely, Nevada. I only passed a few cars. No signal. No radio. Just saved music and podcasts playing as I drove through the vast darkness. The road felt endless, peaceful, lonely, and grounding all at once.

Mt Ararat

By 8:30 p.m., I arrived at Ward Mountain Campground, about 7 miles from Ely and an hour from Great Basin National Park. At 7,400 feet, it was cold, around 45 degrees. I pitched my tent quickly and tried to sleep. I woke up a few times throughout the night, opening my tent to watch clouds race across the sky as the moon played hide-and-seek.

Well-needed time in nature.

The end.