boyfester
Observer
Death Valley - Pleasant Canyon Loop, Emigrant Canyon, Butte Valley, and Warm Springs
After a couple months of planning and laying out GPS tracks, I completed a great trip to Death Valley National Park from April 20-23, 2017. Our group fluctuated between 2-5 people in the months prior to the trip and then we finally ended up with 4 rigs. As I was traveling from Orange County, CA, the planned route contained stops at Trona Pinnacles along the way. They didn't disappoint.
As I quickly learned, it's pretty much impossible to take a bad photo here. I ended up having the entire area to myself.
The obligatory square photo for my Instagram account.
I continued onward on pavement and filled up my 4Runner and two auxiliary 5-gallon gas cans in Trona before reaching Death Valley. I planned to meet up with my friend, JD - @JD914 , later in the day, so Day 1 was a solo day for the most part. I headed due north to Panamint Springs and jumped at the chance to hike the short trail to Darwin Falls. The hike was really easy and provided much needed shade in the last 1/4 mile of the hike. I highly recommend this visit!
The canyon to the falls is teaming with flowers and lots of lizards. I got my first ever glimpse of a chuckwalla who graciously posed for me.
I finished my hike, scored a free National Park pass from a family leaving the park, and headed to Emigrant Canyon to see the Charcoal Kilns, Telescope Peak, Aguereberry Point, and Skidoo before meeting JD.
The Charcoal Kilns are amazing to see in person.
I drove up the road to Mahogany Flat Campground and caught a glimpse of the snowy Telescope Peak. Unfortunately the road to the top is a service road with a locked gate.
I continued onward to Aguereberry Camp/Eureka Mine and Aguereberry Point which offered amazing views of Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin.
After a couple months of planning and laying out GPS tracks, I completed a great trip to Death Valley National Park from April 20-23, 2017. Our group fluctuated between 2-5 people in the months prior to the trip and then we finally ended up with 4 rigs. As I was traveling from Orange County, CA, the planned route contained stops at Trona Pinnacles along the way. They didn't disappoint.
As I quickly learned, it's pretty much impossible to take a bad photo here. I ended up having the entire area to myself.
The obligatory square photo for my Instagram account.
I continued onward on pavement and filled up my 4Runner and two auxiliary 5-gallon gas cans in Trona before reaching Death Valley. I planned to meet up with my friend, JD - @JD914 , later in the day, so Day 1 was a solo day for the most part. I headed due north to Panamint Springs and jumped at the chance to hike the short trail to Darwin Falls. The hike was really easy and provided much needed shade in the last 1/4 mile of the hike. I highly recommend this visit!
The canyon to the falls is teaming with flowers and lots of lizards. I got my first ever glimpse of a chuckwalla who graciously posed for me.
I finished my hike, scored a free National Park pass from a family leaving the park, and headed to Emigrant Canyon to see the Charcoal Kilns, Telescope Peak, Aguereberry Point, and Skidoo before meeting JD.
The Charcoal Kilns are amazing to see in person.
I drove up the road to Mahogany Flat Campground and caught a glimpse of the snowy Telescope Peak. Unfortunately the road to the top is a service road with a locked gate.
I continued onward to Aguereberry Camp/Eureka Mine and Aguereberry Point which offered amazing views of Furnace Creek and Badwater Basin.
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