19 replies to this topic

[Ted]

Surprised that we didn’t see more of you. It is a big park, but we did cover some of the same areas. We left after work on Wednesday, overnighting along the Walker River on 395. It was chilly in the morning.

 

 

 

The continued drive on Christmas Eve provided some weather to deal with. These on-the-road shots were taken near the Mono Lake viewpoint and Mammoth Lakes.

 

 

 

Finally we got ahead of the storm and arrived at the Eureka Dunes in the early afternoon. After lunch we started to hike up the dunes. The higher we got, the stronger the bitter cold wind blew. When we were getting sandblasted by the sand as it blew over the ridgelines we decided to retreat and try again in the morning.

 

 

 

[Ted]

That evening the weather caught up to us and it rained steadily for a couple of hours. Afterwards the clouds cleared and the temps dropped. In the morning we could barely see the dunes, let alone climb them. The wet sand was frozen solid. You didn’t even leave footprints in the sand. But the ice made it impossible to hike up. As the sun broke through, we saw a new phenomenon for us – I called it a fogbow. Like a white rainbow. As the sun got higher, the dunes began to thaw, sending up steam.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ted]

It was clear the storm had reached the hills between Eureka Valley and Crankshaft Junction, leaving a layer of snow in the higher elevations.

 

 

 

We found the ranger station and store at Stovepipe wells open on Christmas Day. With some rain squalls still visible, we checked the weather before heading up the wash to Marble Canyon. We have read others’ reports on this area and were finally checking it out for ourselves. We had the Canyon to ourselves Christmas night.

 

 

Many of these photos may be familiar from previous reports, but you still have to take them anyway. The trailhead.

 

 

The tilted swimming pool.

 

 

Many photos of this rock show people struggling to hold it up. I didn’t find it so difficult.

 

[Ted]

A skull (Big Horn?) had washed down at some point.

 

 

The narrows were fun and impressive.

 

 

Many petroglyphs, including these that look like spaceships?!

 

 

Like much of Death Valley, the color variations in the rock always fascinates me.

 

 

We found many of the fabled Dragon Eggs.

 

[Ted]

We spent another night here before heading out Sunday morning. The street sign at the intersection of the washes for Marble and Cottonwood Canyons is a must stop. A final night in the familiar Alabama Hills and home the next day.

 

 

[takesiteasy]

I enjoyed your report. Very interesting photos of the fog. Looks like a fun trip!

[MarkBC]

Great, Ted!

Wish I could have been there.

Congratulations on your first trip report in a long time.

[Lighthawk]

Great write up, Ted.  The Eureka Dunes photos and story are very interesting.  We were just on the other side of Steel Pass when you were there.  Then again, we missed you at Cottonwood, but were there later.  

[ski3pin]

Frozen sand dunes, snow in Death Valley, dragon eggs, and Ted out doing the Harlem Globetrotters! Way cool! Can't wait for the Lady to see your report. Thanks Ted!

[longhorn1]

Ted,

 

Thanks for posting.  Looking forward to visiting there at some point.  jd