itinerary: plan Death Valley day trip

days/2026-10-01.md

@@ -1,15 +1,38 @@
-# Oct 1 (Thu) — Las Vegas
+# Oct 1 (Thu) — Death Valley viewpoints · Las Vegas evening
 
 **Stay:** [Horseshoe](../bookings/stays/hotel-vegas-horseshoe.md)
 
+*All times are PDT.*
+
+## Logistics
+
+- Use the [America the Beautiful pass](../bookings/activities/america-the-beautiful-pass-2026.md); the pass holder and photo ID must be present. Save the digital/PDF pass to the phone before leaving Las Vegas
+- Fill the tank in Pahrump and carry substantial water. Mobile coverage is unreliable in the park
+- Main paved route: NV-160 → Pahrump → Death Valley Junction → CA-190. Do not use southern Badwater Road toward Shoshone; NPS reports damaged pavement, loose gravel and soft shoulders
+- No long hikes in the valley heat; today's stops are viewpoints and short walks
+
 ## Plan
 
 > Menu: [`vegas_sights.md`](../vegas_sights.md)
 
-- TBD
+- **7:00 AM** Depart Horseshoe; eat breakfast first or carry breakfast and snacks
+- **~9:20–9:50 AM** **Dante's View** — high panorama over Badwater Basin; do this first while it is cooler
+- **~10:20–10:40 AM** **Zabriskie Point** — short paved walk to the overlook
+- **~10:50–11:35 AM** **Furnace Creek** — visitor center, water and an early lunch at The Ranch; food and fuel are available year-round
+- **~12:00–12:30 PM** **Badwater Basin** — lowest point in North America; keep the salt-flat walk short
+- **~12:45–1:30 PM** **Artist's Drive / Artist's Palette** — one-way scenic road, then begin the return to Las Vegas
+- **~4:00 PM** Return to Horseshoe and rest
+- **Early evening** Gambling at Horseshoe or nearby casinos; no fixed reservation
+
+If departure slips past **8:00 AM**, drop Dante's View first and keep Zabriskie, Badwater and Artist's Palette.
 
 ## Addresses
 
 | Place | Address | Map |
 |---|---|---|
 | Horseshoe Las Vegas | 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 · +1 877-603-4390 | [36.11348, -115.16906](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=36.11348,-115.16906) |
+| Dante's View | Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Dante's+View+Death+Valley) |
+| Zabriskie Point | CA-190, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Zabriskie+Point+Death+Valley) |
+| Furnace Creek Visitor Center | 328 Greenland Blvd, Death Valley, CA 92328 | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Furnace+Creek+Visitor+Center) |
+| Badwater Basin | Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Badwater+Basin) |
+| Artist's Palette | Artist's Drive, Death Valley National Park | [search](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Artist's+Palette+Death+Valley) |