DVD
Adventurer
As we started planning a couples vacation with friends Chuck and Pam, I immediately thought of remote, overland adventures. March is supposed to be a great time to explore Death Valley, so I threw that out as a destination for a 5-day trip. Hint: wildflowers can help sell a Death Valley trip to the wives. Laurie and Pam are amenable to dispersed camping, but after a couple zoom planning calls, we scaled back the camping and agreed to the following parameters for the trip: Meet up in Vegas (we're from separate states) for the first night, then 3 days, 2 nights in Death Valley doing a base camp (only set up camp once). Then return to Vegas for a night before heading our separate ways.
The meet-up in Vegas worked well, with really nice rooms, a good dinner, and a little gambling.
Vegas bling with our vehicle in the background - I should ask if they want to join us on the trails
The next morning, we were singing "Leaving Las Vegas" while driving a couple hours to Death Valley. You always want to top-off gas in this remote area, so we stopped in Beatty, NV, just before heading into Death Valley. Laurie and Pam participated in the inaugural Rebelle Rally 5 or so years ago, and by chance, they had stopped at the same "Nut and Candy and Gas" store during one of the few unsupported gas stops on the rally. Pam recalled the luxury of running, warm water during this stop in the middle of the rally.
Rebelle Rally Vets!
Fueled up, we planned to head into Death Valley via Titus Canyon, but made a quick decision to head into the ghost town of Rhyolite, which was on the way. I'm usually somewhat of a snob about avoiding places accessible via pavement, but Rhyolite was an interesting and historical stop.
"Bottle house" built in 1906 and literally constructed of bottles.
This was the 3-story bank building
Dilapidated buildings
Then the real fun began as we hit the dirt and headed into Death Valley on Titus Canyon trail.
Titus Canyon starts in the mountains
It's always cool to see the trail winding below
Lunch stop as we enter the lower, canyon part
Titus Canyon trail isn't very difficult, but it has plenty of spectacular scenery and "wow" factor as you wind through the narrow canyon walls. This was our second trip to DV, and we traversed Titus Canyon on the previous trip, but that was over New Year's, with rainy, overcast, and cold conditions. It was great to see the vistas this time and enjoy pleasant weather. On the other hand, along with the much nicer weather in March, there was more traffic on the trail. It always boggles my mind when you catch up with somebody on the trail and they don't comprehend that since you caught up to them you must be travelling faster, and they don't pull over to let you past. Anyhow during lunch a couple small platoons of vehicles went past, and then we had the trail to ourselves for the latter part.
Titus Canyon is one-way into DV due to the narrow sections
Beautiful colors on the walls
And it's an incredible contrast to wind down through narrow canyon walls and finally emerge at the expansive Death Valley basin
The meet-up in Vegas worked well, with really nice rooms, a good dinner, and a little gambling.
Vegas bling with our vehicle in the background - I should ask if they want to join us on the trails
The next morning, we were singing "Leaving Las Vegas" while driving a couple hours to Death Valley. You always want to top-off gas in this remote area, so we stopped in Beatty, NV, just before heading into Death Valley. Laurie and Pam participated in the inaugural Rebelle Rally 5 or so years ago, and by chance, they had stopped at the same "Nut and Candy and Gas" store during one of the few unsupported gas stops on the rally. Pam recalled the luxury of running, warm water during this stop in the middle of the rally.
Rebelle Rally Vets!
Fueled up, we planned to head into Death Valley via Titus Canyon, but made a quick decision to head into the ghost town of Rhyolite, which was on the way. I'm usually somewhat of a snob about avoiding places accessible via pavement, but Rhyolite was an interesting and historical stop.
"Bottle house" built in 1906 and literally constructed of bottles.
This was the 3-story bank building
Dilapidated buildings
Then the real fun began as we hit the dirt and headed into Death Valley on Titus Canyon trail.
Titus Canyon starts in the mountains
It's always cool to see the trail winding below
Lunch stop as we enter the lower, canyon part
Titus Canyon trail isn't very difficult, but it has plenty of spectacular scenery and "wow" factor as you wind through the narrow canyon walls. This was our second trip to DV, and we traversed Titus Canyon on the previous trip, but that was over New Year's, with rainy, overcast, and cold conditions. It was great to see the vistas this time and enjoy pleasant weather. On the other hand, along with the much nicer weather in March, there was more traffic on the trail. It always boggles my mind when you catch up with somebody on the trail and they don't comprehend that since you caught up to them you must be travelling faster, and they don't pull over to let you past. Anyhow during lunch a couple small platoons of vehicles went past, and then we had the trail to ourselves for the latter part.
Titus Canyon is one-way into DV due to the narrow sections
Beautiful colors on the walls
And it's an incredible contrast to wind down through narrow canyon walls and finally emerge at the expansive Death Valley basin
(Continued)