Wrapped up a fun trip to Death Valley with a fellow Forum member, high school friend and my family (less the oldest son and dog).
Met at Trona Pinacles Sunday night.
Check out a Bubbli here:
http://on.bubb.li/165160ahnfqy2j4g7us7iuu
Attempt at star streaks. Not too bad for first attempt. Really need a shutter release as holding the button down for 10 minutes was a bit much.
Trona Pinacles sunrise
The travelers:
My wife and I in drove our van
Chris & Ruth (and Lulu) Thwaites (forum members) in their van
My son and his best friend drove my Jeep
A high school friend and his wife (Mike and Connie) in their FJ
Monday morning we headed over Slate Range in route to Goler Canyon
Lunch break before heading up Goler Canyon
and into the canyon
Many of you know of a dry waterfall not far from the entrance of the canyon. I hate to report that it has been completely filled over with native earth and graded to nothing more than a ramp. Very disappointing.
Just past Mengel Pass is the rocky section. The owner of a stock Toyota Tundra TRD and his significant other were deer in headlights as they stared at the rocks. Chris did a superb job at spotting them through the section without any metal on rock!
The rest of us with no problems. I'll add this is my son's first time really 4 wheeling (as the driver) and he did great. Added some pin-striping to my somewhat virgin Jeep, but no dings.
Camped at the flat spot just above and to the south of the Geologist cabin. Perfect size spot and fantastic views. Weather couldn't have been better.
NYE day saw a bit of exploring by some of us and relaxation for the rest.
NYE evening brought out the animal in a few of us
A different kind of partying happening in Las Vegas far to the east
NY day we went our separate ways. Chris and Ruth to Las Vegas, Mike and Connie back to Phoenix, me and my family back out the way we came. Boulder section again was no problem.
That night we stopped at Red Rock Canyon State Park. First time there and we actually liked it (even though I'm not the campground kind of guy). My son and his friend spent every available moment climbing all over the unique cliff features.
Another Bubbli (but not sure what happened to my wife's head!):
http://on.bubb.li/adr8835yndu8seca7
Next day, we headed home.
A great trip with good people and many good times.
Mike posted this video of the trip.
http://youtu.be/B21OxUhG2g0
Can't wait for the next trip. They are too few and far between.
Happy 2014!