Hike The Racetrack and Grandstand Death Valley National Park, CA

Directions

Route Map

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The Racetrack and Grandstand GPX Track

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A long drive on good dirt roads leads to this remote valley between the Cottonwood Range and Last Chance Range where The Racetrack playa is located, but a relatively fair number of people seem to be willing to make the drive. Unfortunately, some assholes like to drive on the Racetrack, so there are tire tracks all over. Please don't do this; I'd slash your tires.

Shawn and I set out first to climb The Grandstand, a rock formation in the middle of The Racetrack, a Class 3 set of moves with a short Class 5 summit block. We then traversed the playa to access the famous moving rocks, which were much farther south. There were a few along the way, but the majority were in the area I noted on my map. People seem to like to steal the rocks, as noted by holes where the rocks used to be. Anyway, they're really cool little rocks that had drummed up all sorts of theories on how they move around The Racetrack, but science pulled through and can now explain the phenomenon. We returned roughly the way we came.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

The Grandstand

3760 ft

50 rise

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Sadly, people have driven on the Playa, but as you go farther out, there aren't any more tracks.

The Grandstand.

From the top of the southern peak of The Grandstand, Shawn the little speck on the Playa.

Walking out into the middle of the Playa.

Shot of Shawn on summit of The Grandstand. I didn't take any photos of the tougher moves.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!