blue marble bathtub in death valley?

[HERR42]

has anyone seen the cast iron bathtub filled with blue marbles?

 

[b team]

has anyone seen the cast iron bathtub filled with blue marbles?

Yes, it's just off the road. You can't miss it.

 

[kcowyo]

I asked my very knowledgeable friend/guide about it last year. He told me it has been filled in and is no longer visible.

 

[HERR42]

by vandals?

 

[kcowyo]

I assumed he meant by the park staff as it is not 'natural'. I could be totally wrong. I'll email him for clarification -

 

[HERR42]

...hmm thats odd.....they have always grandfathered the relics that were there prior to the park's designation. seems odd....its been there a long time.

 

[b team]

...hmm thats odd.....they have always grandfathered the relics that were there prior to the park's designation. seems odd....its been there a long time.


If it's been filled in then we'll have to go out there and dig it out. Bring some marbles.

 

[HERR42]

you would think it would be removed....not filled in.
it really is a cast iron tub....partially sunk into ground.

its only partially filled with marbles.

 

[kcowyo]

Jeff,

I'm still awaiting a reply to whether the blue marble bath is still there.

In the meantime I have a link for you with pics, GPS waypoints and a trail description if you're attempting to find it's location. Not sure if this is what you wanted from your original post or not...?

David Wright's link to Steele Pass and the Blue Marble Bath -

David's website is a tremendous resource for all things pertaining to the Sierra's and the Great Basin Divide. A true desert rat and a really knowledgeable fella.

 

[kcowyo]

Here's his reply Jeff -

"The marble bath does exist. It is in the vicinity of Dedecker Pass. In the early 1900's it was an exposed granite Tinaja that would fill with water as tinajas do. Over the years it managed to get filled with sand & now lies buried. Some say anywhere from 2-6'. My guess is this happened about 50 years ago.

Some enterprising folks over the years stuck an old porcelin bathtub filled with playing marbles in the same vicinity, but on the opposite side of the pass, & called it the marble bath. It was there for a number of years. The last I heard the Park Service had it removed. I wouldn't be surprised if somehow another marble bath might just reappear. Some of the older books on Death Valley or Saline Valley may provide the real story."

I ping'd another guy who is headed that way Jan. 21st. I told him to let me know if it's still there.

- KC

 

[HERR42]

well what do ya know?

an enigma

i want to go see if its there.

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

We found it Friday (12-29-17)

Cool find and in great shape!

 

[Lighthawk]

We found it Friday (12-29-17)

Cool find and in great shape!

We must have just missed you. We spent Wednesday night just below the Marble Bathtub during the haboob.
Tub is still there full of blue marbles and rubber duckies.


photo explanation to follow in a future post

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

We must have just missed you. We spent Wednesday night just below the Marble Bathtub during the haboob.
Tub is still there full of blue marbles and rubber duckies.


photo explanation to follow in a future post

Andy, what ever happened “Don’t look good!” . I hope all was well in the end.

 

[kmcintyre]

That doesn't look good. In my case, I could drive my truck once we got out.

 

[Smokecreek1]

Andy, what ever happened “Don’t look good!” . I hope all was well in the end.

Ya, you guys okay?

Smoke

 

[Smokecreek1]

That doesn't look good. In my case, I could drive my truck once we got out.

Dv.jpg

Been there-done that,no fun( 3 months stuck one time)!

Smoke

 

[Lighthawk]

We're okay, and back home.

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Glad you’re ok!

Balljoint? I’ve been contemplating getting trail spares

 

[hebegebe]

Tundras had a lower BJ recall. My friends tundra failure was just as ugly but his happened on the fwy! Glad things worked out