In a significant milestone for Death Valley National Park, a vast stretch of 95 miles of flood-damaged roads will reopen to the public on Saturday, December 23. The reopening comes four months after the roads were severely impacted by flash floods triggered by the remnants of Hurricane Hilary. The extensive repairs were made possible through funding from the National Park Service's Disaster Supplemental and the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads programs.
Superintendent Mike Reynolds encourages visitors to take advantage of the reopening, highlighting the ideal conditions for exploration. "The hiking in December and January is superb. Added to that, there’s a temporary lake at Badwater, and some wildflowers are out," he said.
Roads reopening on Saturday, Dec. 23 include:
- North Highway
- Ubehebe Crater Road
- Old Stovepipe Well Road
- Lower end of Titus Canyon Road
- Racetrack Road
- Lippincott Road
- Hidden Valley Road
- Lost Burro Mine Road
- White Top Mountain Road
Among the roads reopening are key routes such as North Highway, Ubehebe Crater Road, Racetrack Road, and Lippincott Road, offering access to some of the park's most iconic features. Notably, Ubehebe Crater, a 600-foot-deep volcanic crater, currently boasts unseasonable patches of pink and yellow flowers on its black slopes, creating a picturesque landscape for visitors.
The Racetrack, famous for the mysterious tracks left by moving rocks on the dry lakebed, is now accessible. Following Hurricane Hilary, a temporary lake was present for at least a month, but the lakebed has since dried up, allowing visitors to explore on foot without causing damage. It's important to note that no vehicles or bicycles are permitted on the Racetrack.
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The extensive repair efforts involved collaboration between contractors, National Park Service (NPS) employees stationed in Death Valley, and NPS employees from other parks across the country. The reopening of these roads is expected to rejuvenate tourism in the area, providing access to unique geological features and natural wonders.
While celebrating the reopening, park officials advise visitors that many roads, including Racetrack Road, are suitable only for high-clearance vehicles. Some areas will remain closed until flood repairs are completed, and the Mesquite Springs Campground is anticipated to open before December 31.