(2021-08-24, 08:21 AM)Beardilocks Wrote: I thru-hiked Aguereberry to Furnace and that’s an interesting example of feeling extremely wild and untouched but basically having the Oasis in sight the whole way. 

Did you go down the Wet Fork (the shorter/steeper route, with the spring) or the Dry Fork (longer, former road route with a sign post part way down)?
Nice walk!

(2021-08-24, 03:53 PM)Beardilocks Wrote: I haven’t even started exploring DV yet.
We’re you in Trellis canyon searching for the lost giant caves?

"haven't even started exploring DV yet" - Any honest fan of DEVA employs this as a permanent mantra. I doubt there is a person alive or dead who can claim that they were satisfied with a complete exploration of the park. 

Believe it or not I remember seeing some video about those "Giant Caves" in the park and thought I'd try to spot them (being skeptical) for fun but I got so distracted by the real stuff I forgot to make any effort in that regard.   For anyone who wants to take a crack at it you might start here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3nQfnP1_6I&t=8s

[attachment=12 Wrote:MojaveGeek pid='79292' dateline='1629920350']Did you go down the Wet Fork (the shorter/steeper route, with the spring) or the Dry Fork (longer, former road route with a sign post part way down)?
Nice walk!

I did more the Wet Fork Trail but not straight down Wet Fork itself as I believe that is dangerously steep.  I followed old Indian trails that you could pick up on Google Earth straight down to Blackwater Spring.  I had been talking to the park Naturalist and at the time neither of us knew if Dry Fork was walkable.  It wasn’t until a bit after the hike that I found the 1900 Topo that shows the road going up Dry Fork and the Trail marked Wet Fork to the Spring. 

I did find a road sign at another point, which was surreal and very cool.

Great stuff, Beardilocks. I've wanted to do Dry Bone thru but have never had the right hiking partner with a 4WD to leave on the valley floor (and one at White Top). After reading your description of how you "solved" that problem ... yyyeeaaahhh, I might keep looking for the right hiking partner!

Jokes aside, how much of that hike through Dry Bone would you say is sketchy? We talking a segment or two, or was it large parts of the experience where you were questioning life decisions you'd made up to that point?

The only sketchy things about Dry Bone are it’s remoteness and the one scramble down into the canyon.  Other than that it’s literally a walk in the park.  Or a walk in a wash.  That down scramble is a bit intense.  IIRC I slid a portion of the way down.  Occasionally controlled.  And there were at least two small sheer sections where I lowered my pack by rope and then climbed down, mainly out of an abundance of caution.  Or so I’d like to think now.  Lol.  It’s not extremely difficult, just a fair bit harrowing.  The cost of screwing up is immensely high that far out. 

But the rest of the hike is merely that: a hike. 

If I could do it again I would take more time.  I wish I had taken more water and planned on spending several days in there to explore side canyons.  I think I had a threat of rain in 48hrs when I went in, so was somewhat limited.  As it was I had 60mph winds for my hike out across the valley.  Stunning hike though.  Damn I miss that place.

Here the view at the drop in.

I’ve not done Dry Bone thru but I’ve done the top portion as an out and back day hike.  The drop into the canyon in order to bypass the technical falls at the head is largely a talus slope most of the way and then some rock scrambling closer to the base.  You need to do some route finding so as not to end up above a ledge along the way.  It is pretty solidly class 3.

With a daypack it was really not a problem at all though trekking poles are nice to have on such steep and unstable slopes as they can help to keep you upright when talus starts sliding.  With a heavy pack for an overnight I can imagine it being more awkward in spots and perhaps taking off the pack being a good idea in spots.  I went both down and up it so really it’s not that bad.

Photo from the top of the drop in:


And from the bottom looking back up (from a bit down canyon so that the whole route can be seen):

(2021-08-27, 07:12 AM)Beardilocks Wrote: The only sketchy things about Dry Bone are it’s remoteness and the one scramble down into the canyon.  Other than that it’s literally a walk in the park.  Or a walk in a wash.  That down scramble is a bit intense.  IIRC I slid a portion of the way down.  Occasionally controlled.  And there were at least two small sheer sections where I lowered my pack by rope and then climbed down, mainly out of an abundance of caution.  Or so I’d like to think now.  Lol.  It’s not extremely difficult, just a fair bit harrowing.  The cost of screwing up is immensely high that far out. 

But the rest of the hike is merely that: a hike. 

If I could do it again I would take more time.  I wish I had taken more water and planned on spending several days in there to explore side canyons.  I think I had a threat of rain in 48hrs when I went in, so was somewhat limited.  As it was I had 60mph winds for my hike out across the valley.  Stunning hike though.  Damn I miss that place.

Here the view at the drop in.

That image is spectacular. Looks like something out of the Italian alps or even Patagonia. Thanks for sharing.

Ooohhhh my. This looks well within my comfort zone. Thanks for the info Beardilocks & DVexile. Those photos from the top and bottom of the drop in are SUPER helpful. I always bring cord with me for lowering and lifting my pack when I'm backpacking, especially in DVNP when I've got a freaking dromedary bag along for the ride.

Here’s a few more pics from that hike.  A couple of more detailed shots down the talus slope. 

https://matthewvenn-pockets-full-of-dust...-valley-v/

(2021-08-27, 11:27 AM)Beardilocks Wrote: Here’s a few more pics from that hike.  A couple of more detailed shots down the talus slope. 

https://matthewvenn-pockets-full-of-dust...-valley-v/

You've got some lovely photo trip reports over there!