| | -
| 2 labels |  |
|
1 |
-
-
| |  |
|
3 |
-
| 1 label |  |
|
1 |
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
-
-
| 1 label |  |
|
|
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 5.00 Miles |
500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.00 Miles | | | |
| 500 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Can you believe I've never been to Death Valley??!! My idea of fun is not hanging around a desert, but this seemed like a good place to explore over spring break--not too far away and not too expensive.
We got to Stovepipe Wells and I headed out to Mesquite Dunes for afternoon/sunset pictures. This area is much bigger than it seems. The distance to the biggest dune is deceiving, and so is the height! I found out quickly that ditching the shoes was the only way to go. There are no trails, so you just make your way up and down the dunes. The sky was overcast most of the time, but the sun broke through for about 20 minutes before sunset, resulting in some nice light. It also brought out the sand bugs--I'm very tasty, apparently.
Next morning I was back at the dunes before sunrise. It wasn't a spectacular sunrise, but the light was nice. I brought my coffee and had a beautiful view for breakfast. There were lizard, snake, rabbit and bird tracks around the dunes, but I didn't see anything except bees.
Mr. fotogirl (that sounds terrible!) wanted to explore some of the back roads. We did the Hole in the Wall road and tried to find Ryan--no luck. Then we took the "good" road to Chloride City and the 4x4 road back to the highway. Mr's truck is a new GMC 4x4 with the off road package and we needed every bit of muscle and nerve to get down that track. I've been on some scary roads but this one beat them all! Mr. had a blister on his hand from wrestling the truck by the time we were down. I have to admit that I closed my eyes a couple times--you know that helps!
Then off to Titus Canyon and Leadville. Very cool drive, but I wouldn't do it in a car due to washboards and rocks. The light was poor again--overcast most of the day.
Plans to explore the Keane mine were not to be--the NPS has closed the area. I'm sure they are going to close off all the shafts to ensure our safety. I just love it when bureaucrats decide what is safe for me. I guess that's why I usually stay away from national parks--regulations everywhere.
Next day we went to Badwater. The salt formations aren't organized like the iconic pictures of the area. Maybe in the fall when things dry out. I think I'll come back here again for some hiking as long as the bureacrats don't stop that too for my own good. |
|
Wildflowers Observation Light
|
|
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
