My internal compass pointed south and I nearly missed the westerly turnoff towards Death Valley from Lone Pine. It would have been so easy to
continue to Baja. We had all our camping gear, plenty of ice--everything we'd need to land in Bahia.
Alas, my head-for-the-border suggestions landed on deaf ears and so I turned west for DV. Once the decision was made, I got excited over visiting my
old stomping grounds.
Many years ago, friends gave me the nickname of Death Valley Suzie. It was earned one night when they were searching for me in the valley. But
that's another story.
Some of the geology of Death Valley is like Baja's. Volcanic blow-outs and flows color much of the valley's walls. With the mercury hitting 112
degrees today, we felt like we were in Baja but without the culture.
On the way there, we stopped and filled up at a whopping $3.10 for regular unleaded in Panamint Springs. That is the highest I've ever paid for
gasoline.
Headed into South Fork Canyon, into the western flanks of the Panamint Mountains. Has some great 4wheeling. Spent the night at a cabin in Briggs
Camp. Completed the loop the next day, coming out Surprise Canyon in early afternoon.
Headed into Death Valley and camped a couple nights at Furnace Creek campground. It was blazing hot and there was lots of wind. Cold ones went down
quite smoothly, as did margaritas.
Had a great time. Hope you all had a fun Memorial Weekend.Skeet/Loreto - 5-31-2004 at 09:52 PM
Geo; Are the Tecopa Hot Springs still the Best Place for "Skinny Dipping"?
Skeet/LoretoGeoRock - 5-31-2004 at 09:58 PM
You betcha, lots of old hippies with their white bare bottoms showing!
hot springs
Kathleen - 6-1-2004 at 06:17 AM
ARe the tecopa hot springs segregated--men in one pool, women in the other?
To me nothing beats Saline Hot Springs in death valley.
AND it is free!
KathleenDavid K - 6-1-2004 at 07:22 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by GeoRock
You betcha, lots of old hippies with their white bare bottoms showing!
Suzy, not all details are needed... I almost lost my breakfast!surfer jim - 6-1-2004 at 07:42 AM
Sounds like a dark pair of sunglasses would be useful there.....
white to pink ?
Taco de Baja - 6-1-2004 at 12:32 PM
In 112 degrees the blinding white in the hot springs, might get turned pink to red by the sun quite quickly
[Edited on 6-1-2004 by Taco de Baja]
cabins
jide - 6-2-2004 at 12:14 PM
Hey Georock,
A couple years ago, I got a hold of a BLM "adopt-a-cabin" map, it shows all the cabins(some of them restored) on public land in the southern sierra to
death valley area, have you heard of this map?
it shows the briggs cabin (haven't been there but I heard lotsa good things about it)GeoRock - 6-3-2004 at 09:22 AM
Jide,
I have hunted and hunted online. I cannot find any map anywhere that shows all the cabins.
Any leads?
Briggs cabin was great. If you go there I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!
Originally posted by GeoRock
Jide,
I have hunted and hunted online. I cannot find any map anywhere that shows all the cabins.
Any leads?
Briggs cabin was great. If you go there I guarantee you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back!
