Winter Break Trip - December 2014 - Part Four

please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version

It is called Kaleidoscope Canyon and is in the Black Mountains in the southern end of the Park. Gauging the amount of daylight remaining, we headed for Harry Wade Road for the possibility of finding a dispersed camp site that would allow for a short drive to the trailhead the next morning. We found a nice pull off into a level wash about 3 miles south of the Badwater Road pavement. It would do nicely.

After a quick shower we walked in the waning light west about 3/4 of a mile to the mighty Amargosa River. We found water, not flowing, but long remnant pools from the  last flow event. Here the river flows north into the southern end of Death Valley itself. The wind we experienced earlier in our trip had abated and it was a wonderful evening. The moon was bright in the eastern sky and we hurried through dinner so we could walk in the night.

With no wind to stir the settling cold air in the basin - we were camped at 40 feet below sea level - we awoke to 28° the following morning. We had a glorious, vast vista for our breakfast backdrop as the sun began to rise.

We drove the easy six miles to the start.

It was an easy couple miles hike up the alluvial washes to the mouth of Kaleidoscope Canyon.

The canyon showed itself to be very special around the first bend.

It continued to unveil its splendor as we worked our way up canyon.

As we advanced, oranges, reds, and even purple became the dominate colors.

This canyon holds magical displays of color.

We reached near the top of the canyon. It became a fun scramble but we were working away from the color. We dropped the packs and lingered with our water and snack break. We slowly headed back down the canyon.

It was a breathtaking and humbling experience to walk in silence through this canyon. It is truly a special place. Compared to many of our other Death Valley canyon hikes we have documented on this blog, this one is relatively easy insofar as distance and terrain. It is in a quieter section of the Park so, as always, you need to be prepared and experienced. Judging from the boot tracks in the wash and the one person heading up as we returned to our truck, this is not a well kept secret, nor do I think it should be. If you can find and read this blog on the Internet, you are skilled enough to do a web search and find all the information you need. I've heard that folks have even gotten directions from staff at the Visitors Center.

It was around noon when we returned to the truck. Mid afternoon, back at Furnace Creek, we made contact with the historian. He did know about what we were searching for but had not seen it for himself and did not know the location. He was helpful and we enjoyed a pleasant conversation that ended with his request, "Let us know when you find it."

For our last night in Death Valley National Park, we headed in Lake Hill Road off of highway 190 in Panamint Valley. Except for one parked vehicle at the trailhead for the Panamint Dunes - possibly backpacking to the dunes for a brilliant moon lit night - we were alone.

Overnight the cold air settled again. It was 23° in the morning. We enjoyed our mugs of Peets coffee during our predawn walk. Finally the sun streamed across the landscape.

This was Saturday morning and a day for some chores. Heading north on highway 395, we stopped in Big Pine and did laundry. It was nice to walk the back streets and the park as the clothes went round and round and round. Mid afternoon we were at Benton Hot Springs.

We had reservations for a site in the small campground complete with a private tub of hot spring water. To the east was the north end of the White Mountains and Montgomery Peak. Boundary Peak, Nevada's highpoint is the point on the ridge to the left.

We enjoyed the soothing water that restored years to our lives. I was almost feeling like I shouldn't have a Geezer Card. The views were wonderful. The Lady said, "This is really romantic." We'll come back to Benton Hot Springs.

We watched the light fade and the shadows work their way up Montgomery. As the last light of the sun hit the peak, we were in for a surprise.

This was the night of the full moon.

A lenticular cloud held over the Whites to the south of Montgomery Peak.

The moon quickly climbed and we could not take our eyes off of it.

A glow in the sky woke us the next morning.

It was a wonderful time to wander up to the old cemetery on the hill above.

We took our time and wandered, alone in the early morning, around the historic tiny settlement.

Highway 120 across to Lee Vining was open. It had been closed a week earlier. I don't believe we encountered another vehicle until we turned north on 395; a wonderful morning. The Lady was gazing out her window. Without turning her head she said, "This has been a wonderful trip, just what I needed. But, I'm ready to be home and go back to work, so we can go again!"