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!

We went in October half term with the kids. We did the standard driving route with stops and short hikes en route, 30-40mins max. Weather was still warm even then, peaking around mid to high 30s. Morning and late afternoon were perfect for walking. Took the kids and very safe as the main sights are super touristy. Always cars and people around. We did not however go to any remote places, so much to see and do on the main loop.
we wore shorts, t-shirts and trainers, but as I say we did short walks not massive hikes. Was amazing.

In case no one has mentioned it yet, I would also like to add that Yosemite and Death Valley are nearly 6 hours apart. Please don’t add to the stereotype of “clueless Brits that think they can traverse the States in a few hours.” The Americans think it’s hilarious but it’s also rather mortifying for us. 😅

Uniqlo airism joggers and sun hoody are reasonably prices but I HOPE you are getting more info on the plan. And bring a car full of water

In fairness a 6 hour drive in the US is often easier and less stressful than here in the UK, unless it takes in the freeway around LA.

You and I would make good friends OP 😂. The going along with the randomness.

I live in Africa so the other side of the world, but it is hot and dry in some areas. I have been on various hikes over the years, some which seemed like a good idea at the time, but never ended up being an actual hike. I am not a hiker either. I dare say, yours will be along these lines and you might get 1km in and decide that was enough of that 😂.

I think you will be okay with some light cargo pants, preferably in a natural brown or khaki, only for the reason you are most likely going to be coated in dust after your 1km stroll 😅

Your road trip sounds great btw.

Oh lord I can see a rescue coming on ! OP stick to the slots !

It's only the pocket lining that is cotton.

I am another who thinks you’re just going to get out the car, do a short walk and get back in. A hike is an overused word. A hike is for experienced off grid folk who know what they are doing. I’d still be prepared. The heat is the main thing.

To be fair, in the US, “hike” seems to be synonymous with “walk that isn’t on a paved footpath”. What you and I think of as a hike is a “back-country hike”.

I’ve been to Death Valley twice. Once in May 2010, I drove from Yosemite, staying at Mammoth and then Furnace Creek. Wild to be in the snow at breakfast time and then below sea level in the crazy heat. In those days the “turn air con off” signs were there. Despite being what I thought was careful - and we only walked a little way onto Badwater - I managed to get a touch of heatstroke.

The second time was July 2023 on an insanely hot day trip. We were prepared, with a huge amount of water and sports drinks and a sunshade. It was spectacular, but we spent only about 10 minutes at a time out of the car, apart from when we were in the visitor centre. The ice creams at Furnace Creek were excellent…

Have been to Yosemite 3 times and it makes me cry it’s so beautiful. I am not an emotional person at all! It’s just wondrous. And a great place to hike. Lots of easy trails for inexperienced hikers, would recommend hiking there. Worth the 6 hour drive if you have time.

Alternatively, if you haven’t booked flights yet you could fly in an out of different airports. So fly into San Francisco for example, pick up a car there, visit Yosemite and Death Valley then drop off in Vegas.

Death Valley we didn’t even get out of the car. It’s worth seeing but it’s not a place to go hiking, it’s not called Death Valley for no reason!

Vary experienced hiker here. OH is a former combat survival instructor. I read him the OP post and he laughed out loud and commented that the OP is probably one of those people who go up Snowden in trainers and jeans.
We've also been to all these places, including the overnighter in Barstow. Just stay near the car, and have plenty of water and a full tank. Yosemite is better for recreational walking.

Agree the terminology is throwing people off. Parking the car, reading the giant information signs, and walking for 10 minutes along a signposted and maintained tourist path to take photos at a viewpoint is not hiking. I've been thinking about it, and I seem to apply hiking to a combination of path, distance, terrain, conditions.

Cross-country, non-flat, no path of any kind: you could be hiking once it's longer than say an hour or two. Less than that, and you're probably just looking for a place to picnic or a bush to pee behind out of sight of the car: not hiking.

Flat, easy, stroll, and it's a beautiful beach or sunny meadow: not hiking. Unless it's a scorching desert or an ice field, then you're probably hiking again.

Any kind of pavement, footpath, managed trail, even animal track, for several hours: you're just having a nice walk in nature. All day: you might be hiking. Multi-day: you're definitely hiking.

The definition in the Oxford English Dictionary is:
“the activity of going for long walks, especially across country.”

While I agree re taking photos in the Death Valley and wandering for 10 minutes the rest of your definition is not in line with the English Language. Most people in their posts use words as per this.

The definition in the Oxford English Dictionary is:
"the activity of going for long walks, especially across country.”

So exactly my definition then! 'I wrote 'Cross-country, non-flat, no path of any kind: you could be hiking once it's longer than say an hour or two.'

Then I elaborated by musing on how conditions underfoot, extremes of temperature, and various durations fine tune what it means. For me.

Ill remember this thread when it hits the papers that a British hiker is missing in Death Valley.

No it isn’t.

The ‘no path of any kind’ ‘non flat’ etc is entirely and completely made up.

I’ve not been but my brother, son and mum went a few years ago. The rocks are sharp under foot so you need good footwear and there are warnings everywhere about needing water and there being no petrol stations or phone reception etc. They had a half hour wander to admire the views and that was enough they said.

Yosemite though they said was lovely, although they got caught up in a forest fire and loads of road closures!

We drove through Death Valley a few years back and stayed in Furnace Creek. We packed the car with bottles of water and ice first. It’s spectacular but you really shouldn’t be hiking there as a novice. Just stop occasionally to take photographs and get back in the air-conditioned car. It can reach 50C!

Cross country implies traversing the land. Any kind of pavement, footpath, or trail, and you're on a road, a road for feet.

It is broadly the same direction? I have also done Vegas and “added on Yosemite via Death Valley” but I would not have been hiking in Death Valley in October as an inexperienced hiker. It is so hot people die, and while it’s starting to cool in October it was still high 30s when I was there which to me is sit in air con weather, not get on a strenuous trail weather…

Omg I’ve never spoken to anyone who has done this before, but we did it in reverse. Left Furnace Creek in shorts and a vest top, didn’t really think to check the weather in Mammoth as we weren’t going that far. The looks we got for being in shorts when we went to check in at Mammoth while everyone else was walking around in their snow suits coming back from skiing in the snow 😅 it’s a story we tell often!

@EyeLevelStick Something tickles me about there being fabulous ice-creams at Furnace Creek. Cosmic balance.

@Appalonia the vultures will be lining up to welcome your daft friend.

We did this journey in the. Snow on the top of mammoth mountain but 30 degrees at the bottom! We went up the mountain in shorts and it was fine but surrounded by people in snow gear!

This reminds me of those who go up Snowdon in flip flops…