Zabriskie Point and Death Valley Hiking Program open

Death Valley National Park re-opened Zabriskie Point on March 10 after closing five months ago for upgrades.

The attraction, one of the many popular vistas throughout the park, underwent a major rehabilitation project which included repair of unstable support walls, installation of concrete benches and paving.

The viewing area was constructed by the Pacific Coast Borax Company in the 1920s and was named for the company’s manager Christian Zabriskie. The site provides an optimal viewing opportunity of Manly Beacon, a landmark in the valley’s Badlands. National Park Service personnel said Zabriskie Point is one of the most visited areas within the park.

The repair project finished nearly three weeks ahead of schedule and coincides with a hiking initiative by park personnel. The “Hike Death Valley Program” was launched earlier this year to encourage park visitors to hike trails throughout the valley to earn “points” that can be used for a free commemorative decal.

The trails range from basic, short and easy — such as Ubehebe Loop, Salt Creek Loop and Darwin Falls, to challenging eight to 14-mile hikes along Dante’s Ridge, Wildrose Peak and Telescope Peak. Advanced hikes are longer and at higher elevations than the basic and intermediate trails.

Members of a Pahrump hiking group have participated in the program with hikes to Telescope and Wildrose peaks. Hiker Teresa Skye found Telescope Peak “a bit more challenging because of the distance” but the views of the Sierra Nevada and Mount Whitney along that hike to be unsurpassed.

Skye particularly enjoyed the hike on Wildrose Peak, which she called a “sweet hike” flush with pinyon pine trees which starts at the Charcoal Kiln formation. “A treat in itself,” she said.

Pahrump hiker Heather Gang earned the decal by collecting points for hiking Desolation and Fall canyons.

The six-mile hike included a 1,500 elevation gain, that she said, provides a level of moderate difficulty. She and other Pahrump area hikers did not yet collect the decal because they were sidetracked by a lengthy swim at a pool in Stovepipe Wells following the 90-degree day hike.

By the time they had cooled off from the swim, she said, the visitor’s center - where hikers can collect their decal - was closed.

Francisca Vega Weber, who participated in the hike to Fall Canyon, said the group and the Death Valley vistas have helped to motivate her to maintain a consistent physical fitness program.

A point system is allocated to a variety of hikes throughout the valley. Once a visitor earns four points, they are eligible to receive a free commemorative decal by sharing photos with a park ranger at one of the park’s visitor centers. Park personnel also ask that photos be posted on social media platforms using the hashtag #HikeDeathValley.

The list of trails and the decal design will change annually to encourage our repeat visitors each year.

For a complete trail list and more information about the program visit www.nps.gov/deva.