Forum Index > Trip Reports > Classic Death Valley Natl Park Hikes I Nov 30-Dec 1, 2015
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John Morrow
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Joined: 03 Apr 2007
Posts: 1526 | TRs | Pics
Location: Roslyn
John Morrow
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PostMon Dec 07, 2015 12:54 pm 
Finally arrived in Death Valley National Park for the first time for a quick taste! Nov 30th: Golden Canyon/Gower Gulch loop with sides of Manly Beacon 820' and Red Cathedral 980'. I started with a Ranger geology talk and continued to finish the loop. the two summits are classics and probably the coolest peaks less than 1000 feet in elevation I have ever scrambled!
GoldenGower
GoldenGower
Starting with a Ranger talk
Starting with a Ranger talk
Golden Canyon
Golden Canyon
Golden walls
Golden walls
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
Red Cathedral and Manly Beacon
Red Cathedral and Manly Beacon
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
badlands
badlands
Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley National Park, CA
NE Ridge of Manly
NE Ridge of Manly
Death Valley Wilderness; Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley Wilderness; Death Valley National Park, CA
Beacon route
Beacon route
Panamints and Death Valley
Panamints and Death Valley
the two goals
the two goals
The Badlands
The Badlands
From Red Cathedral
From Red Cathedral
Echo Canyon over there
Echo Canyon over there
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Gower Gulch, Death Valley National Park
Gower Gulch, Death Valley National Park
color and sky
color and sky
Dec 1st: A fantastic scramble traverse of the three Death Valley Buttes. Some easy Class 3 but mostly fine easy scrambling. I did the loop clockwise on my map but would recommend counterclockwise. I started up and over the east ridge of the East Butte and then on to the main Death Valley Butte. A touch of fun solid class 3 near the top.
DVBTraverse
DVBTraverse
East Ridge of East DV Butte
East Ridge of East DV Butte
Main Death Valley Butte ahead
Main Death Valley Butte ahead
scramblin!
scramblin!
Great scramble
Great scramble
Looking at West Butte
Looking at West Butte
Death Valley Wilderness. Death Valley National Park, CA
Death Valley Wilderness. Death Valley National Park, CA
Then I descended the west ridge of DVB's main summit to the valley floor. Some loose marbles up high but lots of good scrambling. Here is where I thought the opposite direction would be better.
W. Ridge of DVB
W. Ridge of DVB
Good part of W. Ridge
Good part of W. Ridge
then to skyline right of W. Butte
then to skyline right of W. Butte
W. Ridge scramble descent
W. Ridge scramble descent
the complete West Ridge of DVB
the complete West Ridge of DVB
The West Death Valley Butte was a real treat! I ascended a Northeast trending rib of sorts, class 2 and 3. Test holds and take helmets for a big group. Then I did a more northerly rib down to the alluvium. This rib was steep Class 3/4 and awesome. Then it was time for the long alluvial walk behind the Buttes back to the car on the Hwy. Everyone needs to experience a few miles of Death Valley alluvial approach hiking!
NE Ridge of W. Butte DVB
NE Ridge of W. Butte DVB
Good scrambling here Class 2
Good scrambling here Class 2
View NW
View NW
Death Valley
Death Valley
On traverse of the three, Death Valley National Park, CA
On traverse of the three, Death Valley National Park, CA
Envision alluvial fan
Envision alluvial fan
Class 3/4 N. Ridge of W. DVB
Class 3/4 N. Ridge of W. DVB
looking up at descent ridge
looking up at descent ridge
Ascent left, descent center right
Ascent left, descent center right

“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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Gimpilator
infinity/21M



Joined: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 1684 | TRs | Pics
Location: Edmonds, WA
Gimpilator
infinity/21M
PostMon Dec 07, 2015 1:58 pm 
John Morrow wrote:
the two summits are classics and probably the coolest peaks less than 1000 feet in elevation I have ever scrambled!
When I took Heather to Manly Beacon last year, she said it was one of the best peaks she's ever done as well. It's one of my personal favorites. I've been up that little pile of mud 3 times and I expect several more times in the future. I did Red Cathedral once as well. I've considered DVB before, but after this report I'll add it to my list. Thanks for the report and the memories. up.gif

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Rainie Too!
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Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 377 | TRs | Pics
Rainie Too!
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PostMon Dec 07, 2015 2:40 pm 
Definitely bookmarking this one! Keeping me in trip ideas for a long time John. Good work!

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