What to wear for hiking in Death Valley??

[Appalonia]

I'm not a hiking kind of person, but I've agreed to go on this holiday with a friend. I don't wear shorts and have no hiking trousers, and especially not for a desert type climate. I'm at a bit of a loss to wear but I need to find something, as I'm going beginning of October. Apparently it's too hot for jeans, which are the only kind of utility clothes I wear. I'm more of a long dress, linen trousers kind of person. Any ideas as to what I could wear, as I'm starting to panic a bit!

Don't dick around with Death Valley. It's beautiful but you need to know what you're doing.
Adding to the obvious risk of heat, sun, potentially lethal critters and running out of water.....flash floods.

I went to Death Valley many years ago, in February. The weather was very pleasant. We even had a little rain. We stayed in Stovepipe Wells and did some short strolls from our motel - saw some amazing geology and a lot of sand! Also tracks of sidewinder snakes... I don't think you need to worry about ticks, there is not much vegetation.
We also did very short strolls in other areas of the valley.
However I don't think it's a place for proper hikes, at least not for ordinary tourists. It's huge... Better to drive along until you find an interesting spot, have a look around and drive on to the next scenic place etc.
And I bet it is a lot hotter in October than in February.

Please remember it's called Death Valley for a reason. Hiking in the heat is dangerous. I do regularly go hiking in the heat (not too hot though and would stick to short trails somewhere like Death Valley where I don't know the place, and it's just dangerous) and I highly recommend moisture wicking clothing. Also sun protection and plenty of water. And please carry a personal safety locator device in case you get into trouble. Do you know what to do if bitten by a snake? Learn that. Hiking is great but you need to be prepared and know your limits. Maybe just don't go hiking there but go sight seeing safely instead?

We went to Death Valley in October and it was 46°. Do not go hiking! The heat bounces back at you off the ground and the best place to be is in an air conditioned car. It won’t matter what you’re wearing because it’s SO fucking hot!

Seriously, don’t go. From what you’ve said about this holiday and yourself it would be very dangerous. Even experienced hikers die in such situations.

Not what I thought I’d be writing in S&B tonight but needs must…

Was coming on to say something similar.

If I were you, I'd give that part of the trip a miss.

Just drive through Death Vallet, don’t hike. It doesn’t sound as if either of you is prepared at all.

It’s a fun drive in a car with a/c.

I'm honestly not sure I would even drive. It's not like a safari park. It's vast and empty. I absolutely would not. (Disclaimer: I have just watched the episode of Better Call Saul where he realises that he is going to have to save and drink his own wee to get back to the American border)

We were all set to drive through death valley to to Yosemite years ago when we were leaving vegas. Then the car hire person said we should reconsider as someone had died there, in a car, the day before after breaking down. I have never once regretted not going to a place called Death Valley

After reading other comments, maybe just don't go there at all. Too dangerous for the inexperienced and unequipped.

Just to buck the trend. We drove through Death Valley in a convertible with the roof down, and stopped to do a short hike. The temperature was 50 degrees. Nobody died.

If you do go, make sure you fill up the car before you enter Death Valley. There are only 3 gas stations and one of them doesn’t have diesel. We were going to refuel in a town, but when we got there the petrol station was closed and we had to turn back and check in to a hotel (no vacancies but they gave us a room in the end as they had a no-show) and wait till the next day. Make sure you plan and prepare well your stops in advance.

You need the ugly trousers the PP shared. And a very large ugly sunhat. Clothing with built in high SPF. Cover your skin. Sturdy hiking boots. A real rucksack. More water than you think you need. I have hiked in Death Valley many times. You cannot wing it and you should not underestimate how extreme the conditions are there. This will not be a fashion show. Go to an outdoors shop and tell them where you are going and they will help you.

OP I lived there for two years (well, the next valley along). October will be fine but do buy loose clothing. People are being way over the top. July is hot; October just incredibly pleasant.

When I go walking in the heat. I wear sportswear. Trainers, sports top and leggings/shorts on the bottom depending on level of heat.

Do they still have the “Darwin Awards”?

We managed a 10 minute stroll in Death Valley this summer, DD got badly burnt feet from the sand that came in through the front of her sandals.
Calofornia is beautiful and diverse, choose somewhere else.. although there are at least no bears in Death Valley I suppose…

The hikers we saw were covered top to toe in what looked like very light, dense clothing, couldn’t even see their eyes.
But I really hope these question is a wind up.

Me too. It’s either that or the OP and her friend are being ridiculously stupid especially as the OP seems disinclined to take any advice regarding clothing ets as it’s not fashionable enough for her 😵‍💫🤷🏼‍♀️

I went to Death Valley and we just drove to all the points on the national park-map and then walked 20 mins and then quickly jumped back into the car again. It is beautiful but you wont be hiking for hours there.

about clothing: you say you are a city girl but do you have sportsclothing like for fitness or running? That’s often just the same fabric, if you find running shorts that you like and they’re breathable that’s also just fine. No need to buy a ton of stuff you’ll never use again.

Go to an outdoors shop and buy lightweight loose shorts or trousers. Jeans and leggings are not suitable though cropped fitness leggings (that use a fabric to whick away the sweat) might be ok. Or just wear what you normally do and discover why everyone else doesn't in these situations.

OP if you want to try out hiking I’d start with the Cotswolds.

I’m sure your mate just means walking a few metres from the car though.

A novice hiker asking on the Mumnset Style and Beauty board about how to look good while hiking in Death Valley..?

🤦🏻‍♀️

From what you’ve said about you and your friend, you don’t strike me as the sort that would actually enjoy it, why don’t you drive through on your way to Yosemite, we did that and bizarrely had the best Italian meal at a break point in the middle ever, views were beautiful but do take plenty of water. Do some short touristy walks in Yosemite then go and have fun in San Francisco for a few days.

Scorpions. Black widows. Venemous spiders. Flash floods. Extreme heat.
Sounds like a good choice for someone who doesn't hike. 🤦‍♀️