Tag: Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California and stretching into Nevada, is a land of extremes. It is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States, featuring the famously scorching Badwater Basin, which lies 282 feet below sea level. The park’s vast and varied landscape includes towering sand dunes, rugged mountains, and colorful badlands. Despite its harsh conditions, Death Valley is home to a surprising diversity of life, with unique plant and animal species adapted to the extreme environment. The park also boasts stunning geological features such as the salt flats, volcanic craters, and canyons, offering visitors a breathtaking glimpse into the power of nature. Starry night skies and striking sunrises and sunsets add to the park’s otherworldly beauty, making it a unique destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Darwin Falls

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The waterfalls of Darwin are located on the western edge of Death Valley National Park near the settlement of Panamint Springs, California. Although there exists a similarly named Darwin Falls Wilderness adjacent to the waterfall, the waterfalls themselves are located in and administered by Death Valley National Park and the National Park Service.

Darwin Falls is a nice hike near Death Valley National Park, CA
Darwin Falls is a nice hike near Death Valley National Park, CA

There are several falls, but they are mainly divided into the upper and lower with a small grotto in between. At a combined 80 feet (24 m), it is the highest waterfall in the park.

The hike into Darwin falls is rather short and easy terrain to reach the shallow pools which form under the water fall. There are, however, multiple creek The narrow canyon does contain Cottonwood trees and willows and offers some shade from the sun as you approach the waterfalls. The creek and pools in the area, like almost every other water source in the desert form an oasis of life in the desert. Birds and amphibians are common.

My trip on the early spring found no other hikers on the trail and a serene place to visit. It is easy to image that even this rather easy hike could be quite rough when the summer sun scorches the landscape and temperatures climb.

There is no swimming at Darwin Falls and the creek is a source of drinking water.

Henry Wade Escape Route

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The Henry Wade Escape Route is an easy 4×4 trail suitable for almost any vehicle and connects highway 127 to Badwater Road. The route is usually dry and easily passable, however can be rough going in the wet. The spring wildflowers may offer amazing scenery for those who travel at this time.

Henry Wade Escape Route Monument located on Highway 127
Henry Wade Escape Route Monument located on Highway 127

Henry Wade like many men of his time, sought his fortune in California on the news of the gold discover which lead to a historic gold rush. In 1849, a group of about one hundred wagons, led by Jefferson Hunt entered Death Valley en route from Utah. The caravan was searching for a shortcut from the Old Spanish Trail to the booming gold rush of California. Soon discovered they were in real trouble, bogged down in the sane and heat of the Mojave. Several men died, which may have provided Death Valley with its name. Henry Wade led the expedition from Death Valley roughly along the trail which now bears his name and eventually found their way through Cajon Pass into Southern California. Although the exact route is debated, Henry Wade led is group out of Death Valley via the south entrance.

Harry Wade Exit Route – Some 100 wagons found themselves in Salt Lake City too late to cross the Sierra Nevada. They banded together under the name of Sand Walking Co. and started for the gold fields in California over the Old Spanish Trail. After being in Death Valley with the ill-fated 1849 caravan, Harry Wade found this exit route for his ox-drawn wagon, thereby saving his life and those of his wife and children. At this point the Wade party came upon the known Spanish Trail to Cajon Pass.

Highway Placard on Hgwy 127

Further Reading

Henry Wade Escape Route Trailmap

Fish Canyon Escape Trail

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William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)
William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)

The Fish Canyon Escape Trail is a route discovered by William Manly as an escape route from Death Valley in 1849.  The group tried to navigate the hot and dry Mojave desert with hand drawn maps, which supposedly showed short cuts across the desert. After being lost of months in the wilderness of Death Valley, William Manly and a group of emigrants headed to California. William Mandy set off and finally discovered a route out of Death Valley.  

William Many was like many man of the era. He made his living as a guide, fur hunter, farmer and later in life a writer. In 1849, he followed thousands of other young men and travelled to California to join the Gold Rush. He was 29 years old at the time.

Near Provo Utah he joined other travels to cross the great basin to Southern California. In December, the group became lost following the inaccurate maps which they brought with them. For three weeks they struggled in Death Valley. With food supplies depeleted. Manly and John Haney Rogers walked the Mojave for 250 miles, finally reaching Rancho San Fernando.

On his return with food and horses, he discovered that only two families, the Bennett and Arcane, survived his absence. This trail is part of his route.

The trail is mildly rocky and suitable for most SUV’s

Further Reading

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Wildrose Campground

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Wildrose Campground is located at 4100 feet above sea level in the Paramint Mountains within Death Valley National Park. This semi-primative campground is located off of the migrant Canyon Road. This free campground is open all year and sites are available on a first come first server bases. The location of the campground allows access to wide open spaces, many points of interest in the Panamint Range and beautiful scenery

Wildrose Campground is in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park

Featuring 23 sites, with tables, fireplaces, and pit toilets and campground offers great opportunities for vistas and quiet nights for those wanting to venture and camp away from the larger crowds.

Drinking water is available during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The higher elevation of this campground allows for this campground to remain open in the hotter summer months of this notorious hot area.

Fires are permitted in NPS provided pits only. Charcoal grills are prohibited. Gas burning stoves are permitted. Fires are typically prohibited between June 15 and September 15 or during periods of high fire danger.

Campground Summary

NameWildrose
LocationDeath Valley National Park, California
Latitude, Longitude36.265848, -117.188184
Sites23
Elevation4100 feet
AmenitiesVault Toilets, Water, Firepits, Tables

Wildrose Campground Map

References

NPS.gov

Mahogany Flat Campground

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Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking, as well as mountaineering opportunities.

Mahogany Flat Campground in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park

The campground is located near to Thorndike Campground along Emigrant Canyon Road. The privative camp sites are nestled among a Pinyon Pine and Juniper forest along the ridgeline of the Panamint Range.

The trail leading to Telescope Peak and down Tuber Canyon begins at this campground. This campground offers some of the best views in Death Valley, and lots of opportunity to hike, explore and enjoy the nature within the park.

The site is open from March to November and makes a good place to escape the summer heat of the valley below it. There are ten individual camping sites, each with a table and fireplace. Pit toilets are maintained on site.

Fires are allowed at NPS fire pits only. No firewood collecting is permitted; bring your own wood. Fires are prohibited June 15-September 15 and periods of high fire danger.

Campground Summary

NameMahogany Flat Campground
LocationPanamint Mountains, Death Valley National Park, California
Latitude, Longitude36.22996, -117.068193
Sites10
Elevation8200 feet
AmenitiesTables, Fire Pits, Vault Toilets, NO Water

Mahogany Flat Campground Map

References