Forum Index > Trip Reports > Classic Death Valley Natl Park Hikes II Dec. 2-3, 2015
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John Morrow
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John Morrow
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PostMon Dec 07, 2015 1:10 pm 
Dec 2nd; Fall Canyon I wanted one big deep canyon and this one satisfied. I also wanted to scope the three known blockages for the potential future loop with Red Wall Canyon that Jason H. and Silence did a few years ago. Dryfall obstruction 1 (mile 3 approx): Solid bucket holds, Class 3 bypass to a maintained trail, on upcanyon right. Dryfall obstruction 2 (mile 6 approx): Solid positive holds Class 4/5 upcanyon left side of dryfall itself...fun. I'd probably sling haul a big pack. Possible hiking bypass high right. Chokestone obstruction 3 (100yrds past obs 2): A bit tricky bypass upcanyon right to a steep gully of sorts with a couple chokestones of its own. Possible higher even easier bypass above.
Fall Canyon west half
Fall Canyon west half
Fall Canyon East half
Fall Canyon East half
Starting in Fall Canyon
Starting in Fall Canyon
Big Fall Walls
Big Fall Walls
Greenery in Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Greenery in Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park. CA
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park. CA
narrows
narrows
smooth.  Fall Canyon Death Valley NP
smooth. Fall Canyon Death Valley NP
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
aqua!
aqua!
Death Valley Wilderness, Death Valley National Park. CA
Death Valley Wilderness, Death Valley National Park. CA
Death Valley Wilderness. Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley Wilderness. Death Valley National Park, CA
Fall Canyon, Death Valley Wilderness, CA
Fall Canyon, Death Valley Wilderness, CA
Falls Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Falls Canyon, Death Valley National Park
future Titus exit
future Titus exit
Chokestone at 3rd blockage
Chokestone at 3rd blockage
above blockage 2 and 3
above blockage 2 and 3
The final 2 dryfall climbs 6 miles up Fall Canyon
The final 2 dryfall climbs 6 miles up Fall Canyon
Falls Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Falls Canyon, Death Valley National Park
can't get enough
can't get enough
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Above dryfall 1
Above dryfall 1
step up on the piled rocks.  Fall canyon, Death Valley Wilderness, CA
step up on the piled rocks. Fall canyon, Death Valley Wilderness, CA
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Fall Canyon
Fall Canyon
Mouth of Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Mouth of Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park
Dec 3rd; Mesquite Dunes and start drivin'. Nothing needs to be said:
Interesting dried mud
Interesting dried mud
Mesquite dune scene
Mesquite dune scene
dunal avalanche: cornice release!
dunal avalanche: cornice release!
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park. CA
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park. CA
Cottonwoods mtns behind
Cottonwoods mtns behind
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park
Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park
High Dune climb time
High Dune climb time
Across the dunes
Across the dunes
And, "That's all Folks!!!"

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
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mike
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mike
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PostMon Dec 07, 2015 1:47 pm 
Very timely. We're headed there tomorrow. Thanks!

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Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
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Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostMon Dec 07, 2015 2:04 pm 
Thanks very much for this report. Fall Canyon has been on our to do list, but it looks even better than I imagined. I too am hoping to head down that way very soon. smile.gif

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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostMon Dec 07, 2015 2:32 pm 
Very cool!
Gimpilator wrote:
Fall Canyon has been on our to do list, but it looks even better than I imagined.
Fall Canyon is spectacular, but you need to get past the first dry fall. (Backtrack a little bit and find a path on the right, when facing the falls.) I only went a little ways past the obstacle, where the canyon opened up, before tuning around (I had other plans). After seeing some of John's shots from even further along, I wish I'd gone deeper.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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ree
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ree
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PostMon Dec 07, 2015 3:52 pm 
Wow, great idea! So you park your car at the opening to Titus, and walk how far to the mouth of Fall Canyon? Those alluvial fans are so tricky to judge distance. Nice dune shots. That place is so cool.

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silence
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silence
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PostTue Dec 08, 2015 7:37 am 
That was a fun trip, but hard (backpacking on sand and gravel is never fun!). Though the beauty of the narrows in both canyons made up for the pain. We carried enough water between us to get thru the whole loop, just in case the waterhole in Fall canyon was not found or dry. We found it ezily, but it was very low and mucky (this was in early Apr). Still, we refilled a few bottles just in case, but by the time we were crossing-over at 7200' to Red Wall canyon we were in intermittent snow ... so we didn't need that water anyhow. Great pix and trail report! Thanks for the memories.

PHOTOS FILMS Keep a good head and always carry a light bulb. – Bob Dylan
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John Morrow
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Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
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PostTue Dec 08, 2015 8:02 am 
Ree, it is a combined Trailhead now at the Titus gate. A maintained trail parallels the base of the hills for 1/2 mile into Fall Canyon. I think the quality water I saw was a rare sight, really. I should make that clear. And only a few gallons worth left over from the epic floods. Polished stone steep side canyons may have held some more. Silence....7200 feet; that's 6000 vert!!!! Death Valley is big

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”-Mary Oliver “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom.” ― MLK Jr.
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Forum Index > Trip Reports > Classic Death Valley Natl Park Hikes II Dec. 2-3, 2015
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