It was so cold on Telescope Peak, we raced down to the low country with enough time for the first of our three canyon explorations. I really wanted to show Tommy an example or two of the amazing canyons that DVNP has to offer.
First choice was the easy and family friendly Desolation Canyon on the Badwater Road.
Starting up Desolation Canyon
Into the canyon. Desolation Canyon, Death Valley National Park, CA
Desolation Narrows
Desolation view up
sunset in Death Valley National Park, CA
Nov 8:
Winds came up like crazy this morning. A sand storm developed in Death Valley from Stovepipe Wells and the Mesquite Dunes to Badwater. Good time for a canyon up valley from the sand in the Grapevine Mountains. I chose an esoteric canyon known by canyoneers as Half Moon and it wasn't really spectacular.
Into Half Moon Canyon, Grapevine Mountains
Escaping the wind and sandstorm!
narrowing
downcanyon view
ascending the Furnace Creek Formation
life
hoodoos
the floor
rock nettle
6 mile RT went quick and the winds stopped pushing sand toward our first choice of canyon: Grotto Canyon. We had just enough daylight to explore it with its' amazingly fun polished Class 5 (easy) dryfalls and slots and narrows. The dolomite and limestone canyons are my favorite!
first easy Class 5
Tommy enters Grotto Canyon
fun climbs. Grotto Canyon Death Valley National Park, CA
tight
beautiful canyon
returning
A Grotto
foolin'
We'll finish our time in Death Valley with a dune and a more challenging and aesthetic peak scramble to give Tommy a great sample of the so many diverse landscapes and experiences of Death Valley National Park.
“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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“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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