please remember you can click on a photo to see a larger version & highlighted text are links to additional information
Please click here for Part Four
“Far from the cares that are.”
Robert W. Service
Part two
After a quiet night in Panamint Valley with all the camper windows open, we made our way over Towne Pass and up the newly open Emigrant Canyon Road. We met only one vehicle before reaching Wildrose Campground. We continued up the newly graded road to Thorndike Campground.
This is a primitive campground with only 6 campsites. Only two are usable if you want to attempt to level your truck and camper. We had our pick of campsites. Only one site had a vehicle parked, a German couple hiking Telescope Peak and did not want to drive the rental up the steep road to the trailhead a mile further at Mahogany Flat.
We walked up after lunch.
We’ve been to the top of Telescope many years ago. We walked the campground. Only one site was used.
These two fellows left all their food and equipment out and unattended all day. I wanted to leave a note in their cooler, “Two raccoons were in your ice chest. When we startled them, they both pooped and peed. Sorry.” I stuck to the Cowboy Code.
We walked back down past Thorndike to the charcoal kilns.
After dinner we walked back up to Mahogany Flat to watch last light over Death Valley to the east and watch the day grow dark. The two old jeepers at the campsite had a fire going and very much wanted the Lady to join them and have a few beers. She politely declined.
It was dark when we arrived back at camp just before the rain started. No star gazing this night. We took cozy refuge in our camper and played scramble. 298 to 246 was the final score.
It was clear and 30 degrees the next morning. We drove down to the trailhead at the charcoal kilns. We started the hike at 0845.
The Lady’s wanted to hike Wildrose Peak for quite some time. It is just under 5 miles to the top. It was great morning to hike. The view all the way to the Sierra Nevada, far to the west, was nice.
We stopped for a 10-minute break for a snack and water at the saddle before the final climb to the summit.
We found a nice spot with a view on the ridge.
The view is northeast into Trail Canyon with Death Valley below. Fueled up and hydrated, we continued up.
Rogers Peak and Telescope Peak in the upper left.
The 360-degree views from Wildrose Peak are marvelous.
We were at the top at 1100.
I finally figured out how to operate the self-timer on the camera.
We enjoyed over an hour all alone on top. Actually, we were alone the entire hike. What goes up, must go down.
This was a pleasant hike and the Lady was thrilled to add Wildrose to the summit list. We were back at the truck at 1345.
After the dip below freezing at Thorndike, we wanted a warmer night. We headed down to a favorite spot off of Telephone Canyon Road we’ve used before. Yup, all the windows were open all night. It was so incredibly pleasant. Coffee was ready at dawn.
The Rock Nettles (Eucnide urens) were covered with flowers.
A wind storm prevented us from revisiting Centennial Flats at the end of our last trip. Weather conditions – at least wind – looked more favorable so we made our way in the narrow dirt road. Kay in 2022 and Hillary in 2023 had completely obliterated the road with floods down the canyon once we reached the Coso Mountains.
We had access to our favorite campsite in the area, got set up, and hiked up the scoured wash. Unfortunately, there was evidence of illegal vehicle use off of designated routes.
About a mile up is the Astro Artz cabin associated with an old mine claim.
The interior is a health hazard and the cabin could soon collapse. We would not miss it. But the Lady likes to look at registers and logs.
We thought we had a good chance of reaching the upper spring before rain hit. Here’s a view back down the scoured wash.
It is a fun hike up the canyon, but, in places, is a scramble.
We came upon an inscription we’d not noticed before. We went for the gold.
There was surface water at the upper springs. But, unfortunately fouled by feral horses.
There’s an old corral and a water basin.
But we were back up here for the Coso style rock art.
There are stacked rock hunting blinds.
As you can see, bighorn sheep are the predominate glyphs. We were intrigued by two panels that may depict hunting.
There are very faded petroglyphs that indicate use here over a very long period of time.
We spent well over an hour up here.
And we knew rain was coming.
The rain was not steady until nightfall. We showered, ate our dinner quickly outside in our chairs, but went without a night walk. Raindrops on the roof lulled us into sleep.
Our adventure continues. Please click here for the final - Part Six.
No comments:
Post a Comment