Death Valley – April 2024 – Part Three

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Please click here for – Part Two

 

A Wonderful Surprise

 

Long time readers of this blog remember our friends, The Teds, and our many trips we’ve joined together on. Some may be unaware that, a few weeks after our last adventure together, Ted passed away from cancer in early December. After this life changing event, Mrs. Ted (Donna) is doing well and coping with the inevitable ups and downs of grief and getting on with life. Recently she made her first camping trip alone up to the northern coast of California – familiar territory she and Ted visited often. With this success, she was hoping to make a Spring trip to Death Valley before it got too hot. From our camp up Johnson Canyon – via our InReach device – we finalized plans to meet her Tuesday afternoon at Mesquite Campground. What a wonderful surprise!

 

Donna arrived at Mesquite Campground Monday. We joined her Tuesday afternoon to spend a couple days and nights together.

 

 

 

 

 

She was more than game to join us on an afternoon hike. The girls got all caught up with news and stories while we took in the grandeur all around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And several ancient rock art treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wildflowers were also showing off.

 

Desert Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

 

 

 

 

And Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had quite a  surprise when we walked around the campground in the evening and chatted with other campers – an osprey flew over and landed on the highest tree above the spring. We figured in must be passing through as it would be hard for an osprey to make a living on pupfish. The cooling evening was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we drove down to the entrance to Titus Canyon. With the road closed to vehicles (due to flood damage from the historic rains), this would make a perfect time to walk up the spectacular narrows. This was a wonderful day and hike. And, after a short way into the canyon, we were alone. Incredible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I told the girls I had a point and shoot camera. When they pointed at something, I would shoot a photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took our time and wanted to spend most of the day in the cool of the canyon. Julie brought along Digonnet’s Hiking Death Valley to reference his remarks on the geology.

 

 

 

 

 

The girls have already pointed out Titus Canyon’s classic breccia.

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot express how wonderful it was to hike up this canyon, have it to ourselves, with no vehicles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rock Nettle (Eucnide urens) clung to the canyon walls. 

 

 

 

 

 

In a shaded alcove, Donna wanted to take a break. The Lady and I went about a mile further up the canyon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised by this arrow pecked into the canyon wall. In a narrow canyon there are not a lot of choices on what direction to go.

 

 

 

 

 

We turned back down canyon to join Donna.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I  mentioned to Donna that it is almost a full-time job keeping an eye on Julie. The outdoors are her playground. She is always up to something and at times it looks like she’s checking to see if anybody’s watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a long break and snacks, we hiked down canyon and made our way back to the trailhead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Point and shoot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was so nice to spend another night with Donna sharing a campsite. The next morning it was time to go our separate ways. Donna headed north through Nevada to return home. The Lady and I drove back over to the Owens Valley and made camp at one of our favorite spots in the Volcanic Tablelands north of Bishop.

 

 

This was a spectacular spot to spend our last night of this trip with the Sierra Nevada to the west and the White Mountains to the east.

 

 

 

 

 

The wind had returned, but we made the best of it. We took a long walk after dinner to take in the fabulous evening light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were rocked asleep by the wind once again. Mule deer are beginning their migration back up into the high country. Large groups moved by us.

 

It was hard to leave and head for home the next morning. As the Lady had simply said, “I love this.” I do too.