Death Valley: The kindness of strangers.
- January 16th, 2010
- Posted in Uncategorized
- By Edie
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Sometimes it pays to trust strangers. I met a fellow photog at dinner on Tuesday night, and we commiserated about the inaccessibility of the Racetrack playa in Death Valley. I said I’d love to go, but I didn’t think my car would make it, and he said he’d love to go, but didn’t feel comfortable going alone in his all-wheel drive rental car. We decided to team up, and made an appointment to meet the following morning to head out.
At 3:42 am I awoke to the sound of rain on my tent. The Racetrack is a nightmare when wet, and footsteps in the mud leave prints that can last for decades. Jim suggested a trip down Titus Canyon road. I’m glad he did. The road is narrow, extremely rough in spots, and traverse some of the most incredibly beautiful scenery in Death Valley. It climbs up to aptly named Red Pass, and past the mining boom town of Leadville, and then meanders into Titus Canyon.
It rained a bit on our approach to Red Pass, and then the sun broke through for the rest of the day.
If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, I recommend this trip. Some day I’d like to walk it over two or three days. It’s a remarkable road.
Heartfelt thanks Jim Galvin for his kindness and generosity.
Thanks for your comments and visit over at Geotripper. I am enjoying your blog (somehow I missed the links from the Yosemite Blog). If you haven’t seen it, check my blog series on the geology of Yosemite at http://geotripper.blogspot.com/2009/10/under-volcano-and-into-abyss-yosemite.html, and my geology road guide for Yosemite at http://virtual.yosemite.cc.ca.us/ghayes/roadside.htm. I can’t compete in the photography department, but I love the park and the geology!
Magical capture of the dramatic scene and colors of DEVA. Being in a car that wouldn’t make it to the Racetrack or Titus Canyon I settled with hiking the lower canyon and was much impressed.
Really enjoyed you images of YOSE. Do you live and work there? Glad I found your site thru Garry and will definately be back.
I’m enjoying your Death Valley series, Edie. The clouds and road here are wonderful. I also liked the charcoal kilns shot. Keep ‘em coming!
Sharon
Edie, glad to hear you got to Titus Canyon – it is an astonishing drive, from the desert at the east end, to the crossing of the highest ridge, to the (sometimes scary) steep descents, to the incredibly steep and narrow lower portion of the canyon, to the final light-filled sudden emergence into Death Valley at the end.
Dan
Garry: I’ve enjoyed your blog very much! Geology is one of those subjects I find fascinating, and wish I could really study in depth. Your blog piques my interest as well as educates me.
Geogypsy: Welcome to the Little Red Tent! I do indeed live and work in Yosemite. Definitely finnagle a way to go down the entire road; Titus Canyon is spectacular, but there’s so much more to see, there really is.
Sharon; Your kind words mean so much to me, Sharon. When are we going to meet up? I’d love to hang out with you!
Dan: It was all I could do to restrain myself from squeeee-ing like a dolphin at each curve in the road! The kind gentleman who took me really didn’t deserve to have his eardrums punctured though. Hey! How come you never told me how beautiful it is? Or have I gone and ruined it by posting it here? Ooops.