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The valley is a source of peace, beauty, perspective, and inspiration. Students often get out into the desert by themselves or with friends and faculty. It's always good to go horseback riding. Some would say, even better to get out on a motorcycle, or on mountain bike. Many students go on solo overnight trips, which tend to be the most formative and intense ventures into the desert.

Students like to wander, but oftentimes they hike with destination in mind. If you're interested in a short hike, you'd probably make your way to the druid, a rock formation which lies at the crest that separates Deep Springs and Eureka Valley. Michael Thoms' Cabin is also a nice place to go to get away for a little bit. Michael Thoms' was built three years ago by Michael Thoms and his classmates. It lies just behind the dairy, though it's high enough, and sunk just behind a ridge so as to be completely invisible from the college.

Deep Springers have compiled a directory of neat things to check out in the desert. The Horse Book is a collection of maps and hiking tips and trips that the adventurers of the past recommend for the adventurers at Deep Springs today.

More substantial hikes take students to Cow Camp or Robert's Ranch, both of which are about two days hiking from Deep Springs. It takes about two days to get up into the mines and the lake mountains as well.

The "Death March" happens only once a year, but it is more epic. When a team of students attempts the Death March, they are attempting to hike around the entire rim of Deep Springs valley in one week. A lot of planning goes into a hike that's this intense. Water has to be stowed in advance, and everyone on the trip has to train, but the perspective on the landscape of the place that one gains from such a trip is well worth the extra effort.