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Information

Course of the Amargosa River from Beatty to Badwater (not to scale)

Hike information:
      This is an easy to moderate hike following an old rail bed and a mostly dry riverbed. Footing is generally solid, but can be sandy, rocky or muddy. The grade is gently sloping; however, some minor climbing is needed to negotiate washed out areas. Elevation loss is 3589 feet (1094 m) over the 170 miles (272 km) and the trip takes 12-15 days depending on hiking speed.
      Most stretches have no water, so water drops or caches are needed (be sure to remove empty water containers). There are 6 settlements where overnight accommodations and/or some minimal supplies can be obtained; however, the hiker should plan to bring all essential food, supplies, and equipment. Trekking poles are useful and southbound hikers may find an umbrella helpful. Summer temperatures are prohibitively hot for this hike, and it can be chilly in the winter. Rain is infrequent, but can occur occasionally with flash flooding; wind is common.

Hiking in the Desert

  • Each person should carry a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day and drink liberally. Remember, in case of an accident, help may be a long time arriving.

  • Sturdy shoes or boots, sun block, hat, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirt, and long pants are suggested. Be prepared for sudden weather changes, including heavy rain and dense sand storms--goggles and a mask are useful in blowing dust conditions. In areas of standing water, insects such as mosquitoes, gnats, no-seeums, and horse flies can be a problem. A head net and/or insect repellent can be helpful.

  • Avoid private property (BLM surface management maps show land ownership--available at
    <http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/iac/maps_pubroom.html>).

  • Be respectful of the natural and cultural features. It is unlawful to remove historic objects. Stealing artifacts between 50 and 100 years old from public land is a misdemeanor, and taking those over 100 years old is a felony. Law enforcement is very robust with fines and imprisonment for offenders.

  • Regulations about camping on public land vary. Links to information about regulations in Death Valley National Park and Bureau of Land Management lands can be found in the "Links" section of this website.

  • Satellite and cell phone reception is spotty. Personal locator beacons and satellite tracking devices are becoming popular in these remote regions. Cell phone 911 calls and SMS text may be successful where reception is marginal. There is reliable cell phone reception only along Highway 95 near Beatty, in the settlement of Amargosa Valley, near Dumont Dunes, and at Furnace Creek.

  • Bring a first aid kit and any personal medications you may need.

  • Be alert for poisonous rattlesnakes, scorpions, and spiders. Be wary of where you put your hands and feet. If bitten, remain calm and seek medical attention.

  • Avoid military or mining explosives. Stay away from mines and open pits. Also avoid anything that could be an illegal drug lab or a marijuana farm. To report hazards or suspicious locations, call 911.

  • Pack out all trash, including toilet tissue. Bury human waste at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 220 feet (60 m) from any trail or water.

  • During rain, do not walk or drive through flowing water. Stay on high ground out of canyons and washes. Deadly flooding can occur even if the rain is miles away.

  • Tell someone of your travel plans and give them an accurate map of your route and the date of your expected return.

MEDICAL and EMERGENCY SERVICES - Dial 911 to reach local emergency services (Medical/Fire).

  • Beatty Medical Clinic. LLC offers primary care, well child exams, well woman examinations, annual, sports and camp physicals, full laboratory testing (Quest and LabCorp), pediatric immunizations--Medicaid and cash pay, preventive health care, DOT CDL physical's and pre-operative clearance. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:pm daily, closed Saturday and Sunday. Address is 250 South Irving Street, Beatty, NV 89003. (775 553-9111).

  • Nevada Health Centers, Inc., (Amargosa Valley) provides family medicine, preventative health, women's health, children's health, immunizations, prenatal, and newborn care. Amargosa Valley: 845 Farm Road, Amargosa Valley, NV 89020. Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday. Appointments: (775 372-5432).

  • Desert View Regional Medical Center is the nearest 24-hour emergency room (level 2) and is located at 360 South Lola Lane, Pahrump, NV 89048 (775 751-7500).

  • Pahrump Medical Clinic Calvada: 1897 South Loop Road, Pahrump, NV 89048. The hours every day are 8:00am - 8:00pm; (775 727 5500)

PHARMACIES (Pahrump):

  • Pahrump Valley Pharmacy, 1266 E Calvada Blvd, Pahrump, NV 89048, (775 727-1200)

  • CVS Pharmacy, 100 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048 (775 727-5566)

  • Walgreens Pharmacy, 770 S Highway 160, Pahrump, NV 89048, (775 751-8399)

  • Smith's Pharmacy, 601 S Hwy 160, Pahrump, NV 89048 (775 727-2404)

  • Walmart Pharmacy, 300 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048, (775 537-1412)

  • Albertsons, 200 NV-160, Pahrump, NV 89048, (775 751-0160)

Mercy Air is the contracted helicopter service for medical emergency flights in Nye and Inyo Counties.  They offer low-cost membership plans.
<http://www.airmethods.com/mercyair/about-us/lifeshieldalliance#.VIRdB3v7qYU>.

SPOT (Satellite Personal Tracker): The SPOT is a light-weight, satellite-based communication device that provides provides push button notification of emergency services.  There is an optional plan that provides real-time internet tracking. <https://www.findmespot.com>

GARMIN inREACH and other similar products allow 2-way text messaging, push button notification of emergency services, and real-time internet tracking. <https://explore.garmin.com/en-US/inreach/>

Non-emergency Fire/Medical Information:

  • Nye County Sheriff in Beatty (775 553-2345), in Amargosa Valley (775 372-5345)

  • Nevada Highway Patrol in Pahrump (775 727-7090

  • Beatty Fire Department (775 553-2958)

  • Amargosa Valley Ambulance Service (775 372-5459)

  • California Highway Patrol (800 835-5247)

  • Inyo County Sheriff Substation in Shoshone (760 852-4313)

  • Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (Fire and Ambulance) in Tecopa, (760 852- 4130)

  • Federal Interagency Communication Center in San Bernardino (909 383-5652)

HANTAVIRUS
      Hantavirus--a potentially fatal respiratory disease--is spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. Although no cases have been reported in Death Valley, the virus has been found in deer mice and cactus mice here. Use caution in rodent infested locations such as cabins and mine structures.
      The rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings, and saliva. When fresh rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials are stirred up, tiny droplets containing the virus get into the air and are transmitted to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus. Less commonly, the virus may be transmitted by a rodent bite, touching a contaminated surface or object, or eating contaminated food. The disease cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
      Opening or cleaning cabins, sheds, and outbuildings is a potential risk for hantavirus infections. The chance of being exposed to hantavirus is greatest when people work, play, or live in closed spaces where rodents are actively living. However many people who have contracted the virus reported that they had not seen rodents or their droppings before becoming ill.
      The incubation time is not positively known, but may be between 1 and 5 weeks after exposure. Early symptoms include fatigue, fever and muscle aches, especially in the large muscle groups--thighs, hips, back, and sometimes shoulders. These symptoms are universal. There may also be headaches, dizziness, chills, and abdominal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. About half of all patients experience these latter symptoms. Four to 10 days after the initial phase of illness, the late symptoms may appear. These include coughing and shortness of breath, as the lungs fill with fluid. It can be fatal and has a mortality rate of 38%.
     Therefore, if you have been around rodents and have symptoms of fever, deep muscle aches, and severe shortness of breath, see your doctor immediately. Be sure to tell your doctor that you have been around rodents. For more information, see
< http://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus >