10 · California, USA

Badwater 135

Cross three desert ranges from North America's low point to Whitney Portal.

RunningUltramarathonRoad runningOne wayExtreme
LONE PINE
USA

Death Valley National Park

36° 14' N
116° 46' W
217 kmDistance4,450 mElevation gainVery hardSite gradeLone PineNearest base

Site grade

Very hardFeatured · Book difficulty: Extreme

A non-stop 217 km highway ultra across three mountain ranges in extreme summer heat with crew-dependent logistics and a 45-hour limit.

The experience

The heat load is only the beginning: crews must manage hydration, cooling, nutrition, night visibility, foot damage and sustained climbing.

The start sits 85 metres below sea level and the finish at Whitney Portal stands 2,530 metres high.

Death Valley is the homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone; the ancient and current Indigenous name cited by the race is Tüpippüh.

Where the sources disagreeThis is an invitational, permitted and crew-supported event on active highways. The route should not be attempted as an unsupported public run.

Trail path

The line
you follow.

StartBadwater Basin, 85 m below sea levelFinishWhitney Portal, 2,530 mDirectionWestbound and northwest, point-to-point
  1. 01Badwater Basin
  2. 02Furnace Creek
  3. 03Stovepipe Wells
  4. 04Towne Pass
  5. 05Panamint Springs
  6. 06Darwin
  7. 07Keeler
  8. 08Lone Pine
  9. 09Whitney Portal

Route sections

01 · Below Sea LevelBadwater Basin to Stovepipe Wells
A long, exposed opening across the floor of Death Valley.02 · Towne PassStovepipe Wells to Panamint Springs
The first major mountain crossing breaks the flat illusion.03 · Across the RangesPanamint Springs to Lone Pine
Heat, night travel and cumulative ascent dominate the longest middle movement.04 · The Final WallLone Pine to Whitney Portal
A steep closing climb rises from the Owens Valley into the Sierra Nevada.

Weather profile

What the sky
is likely to do.

Extreme desert heat and very low humidity, with large night shifts, high winds and flash-flood risk.

Season & timing

Managed seasonPermitted annual raceBest windowOnly the official managed race for the full route; ordinary visitors should avoid strenuous summer travel.Race timingJulySurfacePaved desert highwayDirectionWestbound and northwest, point-to-point

Signature moments

What you will
remember afterwards.

01

Badwater Basin

02

Furnace Creek heat

03

Towne Pass

04

Panamint Valley

05

Lone Pine

06

Whitney Portal

VERTICAL ASCENT

4,450 M

Three mountain ranges after a start below sea level

The official course lists 14,600 feet of cumulative ascent and a finish at Whitney Portal.

Access & logistics

AccessFull-course participation is invitational and permit-controlled; ordinary road access remains subject to NPS, Inyo County, Caltrans and Forest Service conditions.PermitsOfficial race entry and organizer permits required; independent use must comply with every road and land manager.BookingsInvitational race application, crew, vehicles and accommodation must be arranged well in advance.WaterNo unsupported plan is acceptable; official competitors rely on dedicated crews carrying water, ice and medical supplies.FoodCrew-supported nutrition is essential.Mobile coverageUnreliable; race operations use satellite phones and high-powered radios.Duration45 hours for the 2026 race.

Key hazards

  • ▲Life-threatening heat illness
  • ▲Dehydration and electrolyte failure
  • ▲Active highway traffic
  • ▲Flash floods and damaged shoulders
  • ▲Remote communications
  • ▲Night visibility
  • ▲Crew vehicle risk

SafetyOrientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.

Check official conditions →Request this run →

Official sources

Last verified 2026-07-28 · Record CETC-RUN-010 · Orientation only. Always use current official maps, alerts and safety guidance.