Fall Mojave Travels: Death Valley NP scrambling Dec. 4-6, 2023

[John Morrow]

Death Valley National Park made for my final leg of my Fall 2023 Mojave Desert travels.  On the evening of Dec. 3, I departed from S. NV. and arrived at a nice dispersed camp I like near the north boundary of Ash Meadows NWR.  This put me close to Furnace Creek on December 4.   At the Visitor Center I could get in early enough to pick up a dispersed camping permit for Hole in the Wall Rd for later after a day hike.  
I've been intrigued by the approach climb to lower Coffin Canyon Canyoneering Route for some time. It is known for the prolific colors of it and Copper Canyon and the potential for a fun and interesting scramble to the summit of Peak 1676'.  

First I stopped at Badwater to look at the lake and attend a Ranger talk/walk.

Lake Manly, Badwater Basin by John Morrow, on Flickr

Badwater by John Morrow, on Flickr

Further on I parked at the south end of the Coffin Canyon fan and began my scramble up the West Ridge of Peak 1676'.  The canyoneering approach route climbs this ridge up and over the 1676' highpoint.  I hoped for a bit more energy to do the 400 vertical foot descent into the tightening slot of Coffin Canyon.  However, the thought of having to reclimb back out detered my hopes.  Brice and Beardilocks, in fact, were able to conserve the strength to still explore the non technical dryfalls a month later.  That may just rekindle my energy to go back some day.  I am running out of non-technical slots in the park to explore (Coffin continues as a highly technical canyon).
Peak 1676' I found to be a fine scramble.  Some wantering left or right was necessary to locate the best and most solid scrambling.  A gritty climber path appears often but I generally avoided it and its loose bearing like pebbles and gravels.

West Ridge Peak 1676' by John Morrow, on Flickr

North to Badwater by John Morrow, on Flickr

Peak 1676' by John Morrow, on Flickr

Middle Coffin Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

Copper Canyon and beyond by John Morrow, on Flickr

the scrambling on the descent by John Morrow, on Flickr

More pics on Flickr and I will post the link at the bottom.

I chose to view the sunset from little known Artist Benchmark -85', at the intersection of the Artist Palette Road entrance.

Artist Benchmark -85' sunset by John Morrow, on Flickr

complete with a baby sand dune by John Morrow, on Flickr

On December 5 I inspected the Echo Canyon Road since the flood restoration work on it.   I found I could drive all the way to the Wilderness Boundary!  (Regraded to the Inyo Mine)  While unplanned, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to scramble Schwaub Peak 6440' from here. So I packed up and off I went.

Upper Echo Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

I found a nice solid limestone NW trending ridge variation of the standard Northwest Ridge of Schwaub. There are two NW Ridges of Schwaub.  I assume the southern of these two is standard.  Class 2 with some easy Class 3 in my spur ridge variation.


my NW limestone ridge scramble by John Morrow, on Flickr

Schwaub Northwest Ridge (southern of two NW. ridges) by John Morrow, on Flickr

Death Valley far below by John Morrow, on Flickr

Looing back with my scramble rib center.
North side of Schwaub Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr

Visited some petroglyphs:

E16 by John Morrow, on Flickr


E25 by John Morrow, on Flickr

Driving back down Echo Canyon Road:

Echo Canyon Narrows by John Morrow, on Flickr

Eye of the Needle by John Morrow, on Flickr

Got a shower/pool pass at the Oasis.  I like trains:

Death Valley Railroad No. 2, 2-8-0 Consolidation 1918 by John Morrow, on Flickr

I, obviously, spent too little time in the Park this year.  Initially deterred by road washout issues.  I could have fit more in on accessible roads but was enjoying my time around Lake Mead National Recreation Area mountains and wilderness; and Mojave National Preserve.  Perhaps I'll add those reports over time.

On Dec. 6, beginning my drive back home to WA I stopped at Daylight Pass for one final quick scramble/hike up The Loner 4663'.
First, after packing up camp on the HITW road, I hit Zabriskie Point for the obligatory sunrise:

Gower Gulch by John Morrow, on Flickr

Manly and Red Cathedral by John Morrow, on Flickr

Onward to The Loner on the eastern Park Boundary by Daylight Pass.

The Loner 4663' SW Ridge by John Morrow, on Flickr

Prospect Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr

Bullfrog Hills/Sawtooth Mtn from The Loner by John Morrow, on Flickr

Additional Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N...314483344/

Rock art:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N...0314485459