My thanks to everyone for their advice and encouragement for my trip last fall. The road to Telephone Canyon was an easy drive in my son's Sante Fe, and I probably could have done it with the Grand Caravan. Couldn't do worse than this car we passed on the way in.
[img]Telephone car

OTOH we only went as far as the sign that marks the split between two forks. We hiked to the arch, a beautiful sight.
[img]Telephone Cyn sign

[img]Telephone Arch

[img]Arrastre in Telephone

[img]Telephone mining 1

[img]Telephone mining 2
We easily found the old arrastre on the right, along with other mining relics. We headed further up (the arch and the arrastre aren't very far to go) looking for a possible slot canyon half a mile or so past the arch. We weren't sure which side to look for it, so we tried four places left and right, but we think we missed it. Didn't matter, as the side canyons we explored were delightful in their own ways. The first on the right opened up after a turn or two, and we immediately froze, as we heard about eight or so quail making their way through the brush. I didn't get any good pictures but they were cute, all those little black crown feathers bobbing up the hillside.
[img]Find the quail

 We climbed all the way to the top of the ridge and looked across at the Cottonwoods; I saw a truck drive up to Lemoigne Canyon I think; was it any of you? 

The second side canyon, again on the right, was a tighter and steeper climb; a nice challenge and scramble and then we decided to return to the main canyon.
[img]Telephone side cyn

The third one, on the left now, was wider and more open; it forked and we went up both trails. My son climbed up to the ridge for a look around while I rested. The fourth and last side canyon for us, back on the right again, was another steep rocky scramble with three branches to it. The dryfall on the rightmost was beautifully colored; if you want intel on the other choices, you'll have to ask my son the mountain goat.
[img]Telephone side cyn dryfall

[img]Telephone bird nest

[img]Telephone rock lines

I'm having technical problems trying to post this trip report so here's the first part and I hope to add the other destinations as replies.

I love that rock in the last image !

IIRC, that wreck is down low and has a nice view out over the valley. I seem to recall camping there, not legal now, some decades ago, and enjoying the sunset shadows creeping across the valley floor.

(2025-03-15, 08:11 AM)MojaveGeek Wrote: I seem to recall camping there, not legal now, some decades ago, and enjoying the sunset shadows creeping across the valley floor.

That was the case with most places we used to camp, eh MG?   Those were the days. Either because it was legal, inadequate patrols or outside the then national monument.

One more picture from Telephone Canyon, this one taken from the ridge on the first side canyon, looking to the east. The multiple orange diagonal lines caught my attention; curious looking, eh?

[img]Telephone ridge view

I attempted to call you during your trip into the canyon but for some odd reason the line was busy so I assumed that the burros, flash floods, low flying military aircraft, or social media cancel cults had conspired to take down the telephone line. /s

(2025-03-18, 02:53 PM)DeathValleyDazed Wrote: I attempted to call you during your trip into the canyon but for some odd reason the line was busy so I assumed that the burros, flash floods, low flying military aircraft, or social media cancel cults had conspired to take down the telephone line. /s

I've seen the wires down as well as some poles near Black Point, so not surprised you could not get through

Looks like it's getting hot in the Valley now.

Moving on...I think I saw your incoming call, DVD, but mistook it for "potential spa"; sorry?

I moved my base of operations, such as it was, up to Wildrose, with a side trip on the road to Skidoo. Hard to imagine this quiet and isolated spot was full of people and buildings, or at least tents. Sunset was beautiful and promised me good weather the next day.
[img]Wildrose red sky at night...

The next morning was great hiking weather and I started up the trail to Wildrose. I wasn't sure how it would go; the only other time I hiked this was with my son, and he helped a lot, even carrying both packs up the last steep stretch of switchbacks. Being older now, I figured I would go as far as I could and turn around at my halfway time target. To my surprise, I made it all the way up and with time to spare. Didn't run into anyone until on the way down I met a group on some kind of tour. Convenient for them, as I could take a group picture for them all.

[img]Wildrose trail 1

[img]Wildrose Badwater

[img]Wildrose last steps

Always interesting-looking rocks wherever you look in Death Valley:
[img][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qMyBCg]Wildrose rock 1

Rain and wintry mix fell that night, so I retreated to the van. The next morning, as I drove back down to Texas Springs, I saw snow on top of Wildrose and was so glad I hadn't waited any longer to go up there.

I was driving past the Mesquite dunes and for some odd reason, got an urge to pull off and visit there. I normally skip the dunes, as it's so hard to get anywhere on the loose sand. It feels more exhausting and frustrating than gravel. To my surprise, the rain had packed the sand down, and it was like walking on normal ground. Unbelievably easy to get up and down! I went further back than I've ever gone, and only missed the highest spot because the angle of attack was higher than I'm comfortable with, and I noticed the sun was drying out the dunes. I wanted to be back before they reverted to their normal state.

[img]Dunes

[img]Wavy dune

[img][url=https://flic.kr/p/2qUfMTZ]Dune drying out

Wildrose is a butt kicker, in part because of altitude. If you can get up there, you're a worthy peak bagger!

Gorgeous sunset, and that last dune photo is fantastic. I don't think I've ever been on dunes after a recent rain. I'll have to add that to my list of things to do.