[Eric Hansen]

Park says it is "Partially reopened", many roads are still closed. Remnant "lakes" from deluge, some flower blooms. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/death-valley-national-park-new-lake/ https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/25/weather/death-valley-hurricane-hilary-lakes-wildflowers-climate/index.html#:~:text=A%20bird%20floats%20near%20a,Death%20Valley%20National%20Park%2C%20California.

[Gil]

If ypu want to read a report from a writer who actually went there, and whose report sparked the other reports, here's Chris Reynolds' story. https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2023-10-20/death-valley-after-storm-reopened-wildflowers-lakes

[Eric Hansen]

Thanks Gil, I'm not able to get past the pay wall. Possible the pay wall will lower as the article ages. I'll be in and around the Grand Canyon in November and I'd be motivated to motor over to DV but I think the road damage is truly immense, restrictive.

[rubywrangler]

I’m planning to go through next weekend, will let you know how it is.

[Eric Hansen]

Ah, thanks. The only one of my past DV favs that seems functional is the ridge walk north from Dante's View

[neek]

[catsp]

Via yahoo

[Eric Hansen]

Thanks neek, catsp. A well done article, good pics.

[Anne Elk]

For those interested in DV, you might enjoy the small book LIVE! from Death Valley by Washingtonian John Soennichsen. Very engaging and sparked my interest in visiting. He's also written about geologist Harlen Bretz, the Missoula Floods and the Channeled Scablands.

[Riverside Laker]

Another great book, about DV's early history when some 49ers stumbled into the area on a "shortcut", was written by NWhikers member Ree: Linky. We'll be there in a few weeks -- it's a great November destination.

[grannyhiker]

More fun to read the original book by William L. Manly, Death Valley in '49, at Gutenberg Books. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12236/pg12236-images.html

[Riverside Laker]

That was one of the primary sources. A bibliography is available.

[Eric Hansen]

Michael Digonnet's Hiking Death Valley, A Guide to It's Natural Wonders and Mining Past is excellent in my experience. A climber, he rates the dryfall, and dryfall bypass, routes. He also has other books covering nearby wild country including one covering ascent routes on Mojave Desert Peaks. One easy peasy DV gem, a 110 foot tall perennial waterfall on Monarch Canyon. Access from the Beatty Cutoff Road. 2.5 miles or so across a broad playa to Monarch Canyon.

[rubywrangler]

The lake is pretty spectacular. Definitely worth seeing if you can get there soon. I waded out to mid-calf deep but then the salt crust started cracking beneath me and I retreated. Didn't see any big blooms. I came from Lone Pine and there was a delay of ~20 min where 190 is down to one lane with a pilot car. Otherwise some spots of rough/missing pavement but nothing problematic. It seems there is also a pilot car situation near Zabriskie point but I went by early in the morning before construction started for the day so not sure the details. Badwater road is fine to Badwater Basin where it's closed. Mosaic Canyon road appears to be freshly graded and is in great shape. 20 Mule Team Cyn rd also in great shape. Artists drive is open though I didn't go there this time. Same with Grotto cyn road. The west side road is listed as closed but I saw several cars drive it. Outside of the main drag from ~the eastern entrance on 190 to Stovepipe Wells, most roads are closed so not the best time to visit for far-flung adventures. I was only there for a little over a day; hiked Mosaic Cyn & checked out the lake on day 1, climbed Borax benchmark and Artist Palette peak on day 2.

from artist palette peak

[Eric Hansen]

Thanks for the report and pictures.