GET-YUR-MOTOR-RUNNIN' ROAD TRIP
(Astoria - Santa Fe - Death Valley - Astoria)
Death Valley National Park, CA
November 10, 2013 (Day 27 of 44)
Miles Today: 55 / Trip Miles: 3,145
Photos:
Click on photo for a larger image.
All photos © 2014 Leon Jackson. All Rights Reserved.
Mosaic Canyon:
From Highway 190, we took Mosaic Canyon Road for 2+ miles to the parking area. This gravel road, with lots of ruts, ascends steeply (1,000 ft) from the highway to the parking area. It was a bit cooler at the trailhead than in the valley. The trail begins in a dry riverbed. The entrance to Mosaic Canyon appears deceptively ordinary, but after a short hike, the canyon narrows dramatically to a deep slot cut into the face of Tucki Mountain. The gorge's walls are composed of smooth, water-polished marble. There is some smooth slippery rock on the trail to climb over & up, or slide on. The trail is approximately two miles long … moderate effort. We headed back when the canyon widened, and was in open sunlight. The canyon formed when a system of cracks, known as faults, developed in the area millions of years ago. Running water channeled into these faults for centuries gradually carved out the canyon to its present size. Mosaic Canyon is the drainage for the northern flank of Tucki Mountain, and channels water from a four-square-mile area. Periodic flash floods continue to bring sand, gravel and rock from the surrounding hills. Over time, this has resulted in a build-up of a large wedge-shaped alluvial fan that extends down toward Stovepipe Wells. There are great views of Death Valley from the trailhead parking lot. (Rating = B+)
Hikers in Mosaic Canyon #1
Hikers in Mosaic Canyon #2
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes:
Easily accessible (paved access and parking right off CA-190) Mesquite Flat, with its dunes and wonderful vistas, is Death Valley in a nutshell. The dunes cover a vast area. The highest dunes rise about 100-150 feet. Mesquite trees have created large mounds that provide habitats for wildlife. It is an easy, short hike to the dunes. There is no trail or trailhead. This is both good, and bad. People are free to go wherever they wish. The downside is that the beautiful dunes are covered with footprints. Mesquite Flat's dunes have been used in many motion pictures, including the Star Wars series. (Rating = A)
Mesquite Flat Dunes #3
Looking northeast toward the Grapevine Mountains in the Amargosa Range.
Mesquite Flat Dunes #4
Looking east toward the Grapevine Mountains in the Amargosa Range.
Mesquite Flat Dunes #5
Looking northeast toward the Grapevine Mountains in the Amargosa Range.
Scenic Rating = A-
Driving Fun/Road Rating = C
Tomorrow:
Death Valley - Scotty's Castle & Ubehebe Crater
No comments:
Post a Comment