Death Valley NP Black Mountains Hiking Dec 19-20, 2020

[John Morrow]

View from camp below the Dublin Hills at the end of a very windy stormy day.




Sunset in camp Hwy 178 by John Morrow, on Flickr


Cold front came through overnight sending me sightseeing to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.




Point of Rocks Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr


Afterwards, it got warm enough to scramble High Peak 4037' west of Pahrump, NV.




Stewart Valley Depression by John Morrow, on Flickr



Ash Meadows Range by John Morrow, on Flickr

After a rest in Pahrump, I headed back into the Park for an evening walk up Shoreline Butte in the Valley floor.



Ashford Peak at sunset by John Morrow, on Flickr

One of my favorite camps, when the wind is still, is the Virgin Spring Trailhead access road.  A fox visited me.



Curious (or hungry) Kit Fox by John Morrow, on Flickr

Fabulous Virgin Spring Canyon/Lower Trail/Desert Hound Peak 4472'/Desert Hound Trail/Virgin Spring Loop!!!!!

See Digonnet for this one.  It is a long day but to have so much scenic trail  hiking is a real treat.  Scenery, history, geology, in diverse abundance.  As far as trails go, this one, and a loop of Keene Mine Trail/Keene Canyon may be my favorite two in the Park thus far!


First, up the Virgin Spring Canyon to the mine at the spring:




Desert Hound Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr



colorful by John Morrow, on Flickr



Virgin Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr

Then up the "Lower Trail" to the Desert Hound Mine.  The traverse after the initial climb has gotten indistinct.  For a trail builder, it'd be a joy to restore!



A miner's walk by John Morrow, on Flickr



at a divide by John Morrow, on Flickr



The traverse (looking back) by John Morrow, on Flickr



Desert Hound Peak ahead! by John Morrow, on Flickr



Death Valley by John Morrow, on Flickr


Then onto the Desert Hound Trail making its way back into Upper Virgin Spring Canyon:



Desert Hound Trail now! by John Morrow, on Flickr




lovely walking by John Morrow, on Flickr




Trail into Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr


And finally back into the canyon for the loop completion back to the trailhead:



too short but pretty by John Morrow, on Flickr



Almost back to main Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr



Colors of Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr



Nearing the gate at Pt 2142'; by John Morrow, on Flickr



A sunset look NE by John Morrow, on Flickr

Complete photo set here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23557848@N...9206015677

MAP:



Digonnet's Awesome Route! by John Morrow, on Flickr

[GowerGulch42]

Great! Looks like you had a good trip. That Desert Hound trail has been on my radar for a while, glad to see a recent report of it.

[MojaveGeek]

I've headed up toward Desert Hound twice but never had time to make it. Camping at the end of that spur road was a great idea. I went up the way you did, but lost time trying to follow the trail up. It looks like the other branch of trail, the one that you came down, is much better. Is the pic that you labelled just "Death Valley" from the summit?

Really beautiful weather and nice pix, thanks!

[John Morrow]

I've headed up toward Desert Hound twice but never had time to make it.  Camping at the end of that spur road was a great idea.  I went up the way you did, but lost time trying to follow the trail up.  It looks like the other branch of trail, the one that you came down, is much better.  Is the pic that you labelled just "Death Valley" from the summit?

Really beautiful weather and nice pix, thanks!

The northern branch is more distinct.  The only thing about it is finding it where it leaves the wash. Walking the wash upcanyon requires making various decisions at branches and could be confusing.  Maybe Google Earth shows the trail.  At the final branch a big cairn sits atop the little ridge dividing it.  Go right but the trail still is not quite visible until in that branch of the wash.

[wbdeford]

Great shots in there!  I really need to get back to the park in the winter to experience the clearer air again.