My favorite short Death Valley trip, I hiked into the old town under sunny skies, revisiting this part of the trail which was part of my first ever backpack years before. Then it was accessible by 4X4 winchfest. Now the road is closed and it is a pleasant hike, waterfilled and brushy in places, with amazing Limekiln and Brewery springs. Upon arriving at the city I took a spot at the Hilton, I was the only one in town. Plumbing was down but I found water in a nearby canyon. Later I emailed Panamint Charlie and he let me know some folks were going up and would patch the plumbing to the Hilton. Try getting that service in Tucson.

I visited the mines, made Sentinel's summit, talked to burros, the next day. Morning of Day 3 I had a surreal hike out wrapped in a quiet snow storm. It was a heaven on earth moment. The storms waters started filling the playa and as I visited the distant Panamint dunes the swirling skies darkened and snow topped hills bordered the beautiful small dunes.
I need to return---maybe a return Thanksgiving trip is in the offing.