After all who in their right mind would go camping in Death Valley in July when the temperature on a cool day reads 110 deg F. Well, we did, but here is a little secret. Death Valley is surrounded by mountains on all four sides with Telescope Peak topping out at 11049 ft (3368 m).
Close to Telescope Peak is our campground for the next few days. 9 sites, with only picnic tables, fire rings and an outhouse. If you did not bring it, you have to make due without. Nearest store is maybe 50 miles and 1.5 hour drive on way. Oh and bring your own water. None in camp. This is a very remote campground.
Left home bright and early Friday morning to miss traffic going up I-15 through Los Angels. Got to camp about 11 AM and got the last spot. Turned out this was very unusual. A UC Berkely extended biology study group had a campout for the weekend and took up 6 spots.
So here are the
Road leading up towards camp
Few miles before camp are some charcoal kilns that were built in 1879 for use on the silver and lead mines smelter about 30 miles away.
To get here, the gravel road climbs about a 1000 ft in 1.3 miles.
Camp set up for the weekend. Note the dust on the trailer.
Local fauna
In the afternoon, took the dogs for a walk on a local service road (locked gate) to Rogers Peak. Never made it to the top, but I could see the micro wave relay station antennas. Only walked for about an hour, since I only took a 16 oz bottle of water with me and a thunder storm was brewing. In national parks dogs are not allowed on trails, so the road was the only option available.
Looking back towards camp from the road
Storm clouds building from camp looking to the west.
Had thunder and lighting all around us for about 2 hours, but got just enough rain in camp to make everything wet. Still looking west.
View to the east, with the light colored spot in the bottom of the valley being Bad Water Basin at 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. Lowest point in north America.
After the storm blew by, had a wonderful sun set
Next morning it was a little chilly for the wife while reading
Saturday I packed a proper day pack and took the dogs further up the service road.
In this picture you can see the road as it works its way up the mountain with Bad Water Basin down below.
My walking companions taking a well deserved break
This was the view from camp while having my cup of tea Sunday morning looking into the valley.
Raven just hanging out
Left camp about noon. Went home by a slightly different route and missed the washout that was caused by Friday afternoon thunderstorm. As for the temperatures, highs about 85 and low was around 62 for the weekend. Not many places were one can see cactus and pinion pines in the same place. It's a rough place to get to, but well worth the trip if you get the chance.
