I don't think anyone's headed out on this now, since it's too hot, but for those planning for the fall keep these closures in mind. I noticed that some damage caused by August floods last year were still affecting backcountry roads last winter; some stuff never gets repaired. But they also don't report on that, so use this as a guide to assess whether an area might have drastically changed conditions.
This is from the DVNP daily report as of Aug 7, 2013:
Current Road Conditions
Badwater Road
.
.CLOSED south of Badwater Basin; CLOSED at south entrance.
Big Pine/Death Valley Road
.CLOSED due to flood damage.
Emigrant Canyon Road
..
.CLOSED due to flood damage.
Harry Wade Road
..CLOSED due to flood damage.
Keane Wonder Road........
..CLOSED; road and mining area closed to entry due to mine safety hazards.
Mosaic Canyon Road .......
..Rough; high clearance recommended.
Mustard Canyon Road......
..CLOSED due to mud.
Panamint Valley Road......
..CLOSED due to flood damage.
Racetrack Road................
.
.Very rough; washed out.
Saline Valley (North).........
..IMPASSABLE at Willow Creek.
Saline Valley (South) ........
..Signed CLOSED by Inyo County; damaged due to washouts; very rough.
Saratoga Springs .............
.
.Rough; 4-wheel drive recommended.
West Side Road
...............CLOSED due to flood damage.
Wildrose Road..................
..CLOSED due to flood damage.
WARNING on all backcountry roads
..possible flood damage and inaccessibility. Please use caution
Here's a Facebook page with some pics and current conditions:
https://www.facebook.com/DeathValleyRoadConditions
PS: wonder if they even bother to try to repair these until the fall? I wouldn't work out there now...I used to work as a paver and at those temps it would be downright dangerous.