💀 Death Valley Itinerary & 2025 Goals

2025 resolutions & death valley trip recap ( plus bonus ITINERARY!)

Looking Ahead: Our Goals and Resolutions for 2025

Every year, we take time to reflect and set meaningful goals for the year ahead. These resolutions range from personal aspirations to career milestones and even goals for our incredible Hiking With Hykes community. Starting the year with a clear vision helps us stay focused, and it's always exciting to see how some of these goals surprise us by the year's end.

One standout goal from last year was Trevor’s dream of seeing the Northern Lights. We assumed this would require traveling abroad or venturing to Alaska. Ironically, the Northern Lights graced us right here in Ohio—and again during a trip to Utah! Talk about the power of setting intentions and manifesting your dreams.

We always aim high with our resolutions, sprinkling in a few fun challenges along the way. Here are just a few of our 2025 New Year’s Resolutions:

This February marks two years of Hiking With Hykes, and we’re blown away by how much this community has grown in such a short time. In 2025, we’re excited to bring you more community events, group trips, and helpful guides, as well as share our ongoing adventures from 2024.

As we set our intentions for the year, we encourage you to do the same. Write down your goals, share them with a friend or accountability partner, and see where the journey takes you. You might just surprise yourself!

Maximize Your Winter Holidays at

Death Valley National Park

With winter holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day just around the corner, why not escape the frigid Ohio winters for a sunny adventure? This past December, we spent three unforgettable days exploring Death Valley National Park and discovered how easy it is to experience the magic of this unique destination.

To make your trip planning a breeze, we’ve created a complete 3-day itinerary for Death Valley. Did you know both Cleveland and Columbus airports offer direct flights to Las Vegas, Nevada? Let’s dive into the details!

3-Day Itinerary for Death Valley National Park

Day One: Travel & Initial Explorations

Fly: Arrive at Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas, NV).
Rent a Car: Book through the airport or Turo.
Drive: A scenic 2-hour journey to Death Valley National Park.
First Stops:
- Snap a photo at the National Park sign.
- Visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to pay park fees and pick up maps.
Check-In: Settle into lodging inside or near the park.
Sunset Spot: Take in breathtaking views at Dante’s View Overlook.

Day Two: Full Day in Death Valley

Sunrise: Start your day at Zabriskie Point (bonus: hike the 2.6-mile Badlands Loop).
Morning Adventure: Hike the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (choose your distance).
Lunch Break: Stop at Stovepipe Wells Village.
Afternoon Highlights:
- Short hike to Harmony Borax Works (0.4 miles).
- Explore the expansive Badwater Salt Flats (1 mile).
- Discover Natural Bridge (1 mile; access via gravel road).
Sunset Magic: Hike Artists Palette for stunning colors (1 mile; visit during Blue Hour).
Dinner: Enjoy a meal at The Ranch at Death Valley.
Stargazing: End the day under a blanket of stars (our top pick: Badwater Basin).

Day Three: Travel Home

Check-Out: Drive back to Las Vegas.
Optional Stop: Visit the vibrant Seven Magic Mountains (just 30 minutes southwest of the airport).
Explore: Dine at a local restaurant or take a quick stroll on the Vegas Strip.
Return Home: Drop off your rental car and head to your flight.

Death Valley in winter offers mild temperatures, stunning landscapes, and incredible opportunities for adventure. We hope this itinerary inspires you to pack your bags and make the most of the upcoming holidays. Let us know if you try this trip—we’d love to hear about your experience!

Happy Hiking!

Trevor & Riley

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