Mojave Desert – April 2023 – Part Two

 

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 One

 

Camping With the Teds

 

The Teds need to keep their time on the road to around half a day of driving. Rough roads – to reach campsites – are kept short. This is so Ted is comfortable with minimal bumps and long-time sitting positions. Our plan was three more days & nights of camping on the way back to our respective homes.

 

Our first stop was the Rainbow Basin Natural Area and its Owl Canyon Campground. Since is was a Saturday and just a few miles to the northwest of Barstow, we arrived early in the afternoon. There were plenty of available sites and we picked one on the end of a loop. After a late lunch, the Lady and I started up the Owl Canyon Trail, intending to spend only a few minutes to check it out. I did not even have the camera along. The canyon was terrific. We had to see what was around the next corner, and the next, and the next...... And, for the most part, we were alone. We were in the canyon for more than two hours. Obvious hint for you – explore Owl Canyon. The two dry falls are climbable and the canyon gets better and better. It was only our imposed turn around time that stopped us. We, very well, could still be going up Owl Canyon.

 

Here is a link to information that includes geology and paleontology – Rainbow Basin Natural Area, A National Natural Landmark.

 

Evening views from our campsite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna joined the Lady and me for an walk up the side canyons above our campsite until dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At dawn the next morning the Lady and I were back in Owl Canyon. The camera was along this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a “super bloom” of wildflowers in the canyon with the purple Notch-leaf Phacelia abundant and one of our favorite wildflowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too soon it was time to return to camp for breakfast and packing up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The evening before Ted offered a great suggestion to head over to Red Rock Canyon State Park for Sunday night.

 

To continue our Wander the West theme from Part One, while driving west on four lane highway 58 just east of its intersection with highway 395, we were passed by WTW member Tuff Guy 62 and co-pilot Tuff Chic with their All Terrain Camper. Even more fun was, shortly after, receiving a text message from our friend, Missing Link, saying that was Tuff Guy and Tuff Chic who just passed us and waved.

 

Our route took us north on highway 395. This two-lane section south of the intersection with highway 14 must be called “Death Wish Highway.” A lot of drivers – maybe because it was a Sunday – seemed in an awful hurry to see jesus with their dangerous driving, especially when passing. Note: while helping to edit this, Julie called it "The Come to Jesus Highway."

 

Early afternoon we scored two great sites, side by side, in the campground. The Lady saw high points all around us. I tried to keep her in check and distracted by the beautiful wildflowers as we set out on a “short” hike to get familiar with the area’s terrain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Joshua Trees were also showing off their flowering stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A finch, very adept with careful perching skills, was also enjoying the Joshua trees.

 

 

 

 

 

Although we started out on a round about route, the Lady has a knack for finding the high ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wind was strong - she is holding onto her hat.

 

 

 

 

 

She pulled out her see mores, sat down, and announced, “Donna is sitting under their awning reading. I bet Ted is taking a nap.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the view of the campground was outstanding, what really caught our eyes was the view into the eroded basin to the southeast.

 

 

 

 

 

We continued north and came upon gaps in the ridgeline that offered nice views down into the basin holding the campground and visitors center, a basin nearly covered with yellow wildflowers.

 

 

 

 

 

Our route down was through a rugged and beautiful landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special treats along our way were Mojave Asters and a Zebra – tailed Lizard.

 

 

 

 

 

We had a nice, but interesting night here with the Teds. The campground loop road is long and one-way. From our observations, each camper’s search for the perfect campsite took at least three, usually four, trips around to make their decision. If there was perceived competition from other campers, speed and dust increased. It was not a merry go ‘round. We thought it might be fun if we had a checkered flag to wave. Oh, and it all polished off with another trip around to pay for the campsite at the visitors center. Julie and Donna walked over to pay for our sites.

 

 

Our mugs of coffee were ready at dawn and the Lady and I walked the now very quiet campground loop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the campground loop opposite our campsite, a trail headed up. “We’re already all the way over here. We have to check this out and see where it goes!” the Lady said and took off up the trail. I turned to see who had waved a green start flag.

 

We quickly reached the top of the ridge and the trail continued. We did too. “We’re already all the way over here. We have to check this out and see where it goes!” A constantly reoccurring theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It, of course, was all well worth the effort.

 

 

 

 

 

Back down in the basin we were among the wildflowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were buffeted by the wind as we drove north on 395. We stopped for a quiet lunch at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. After buying a few groceries in Bishop and a Mule Kick Sandwich from Schat’s for supper, we drove up to the BLM Pleasant Valley Pit Campground. We found two sites together sheltered from the wind and settled in midafternoon. Ted wanted a nap and the girls wanted to hike down to the closed (because of flooding) Inyo County Pleasant Valley Campground on the Owens River. I was allowed to tag along as a photojournalist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a very nice afternoon except for the sudden swirling gusts of wind.

 

The Teds turned in early after dinner. The wind was building as, yet another, front approached. The Lady and I wandered until dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We broke camp early and traveled together with the Teds until our turn off of 395 at Gardnerville. With hugs all around, we said goodbye. We are so pleased Ted is able to get out again and travel and camp. It is always a pleasure when we are able to join the Teds on a trip and spend time with them. They have plans to travel extensively this coming spring and summer. Both of them are our heroes. We wish them our very best.