Death Valley Deep Dive 2024

[Beardilocks]

Road condition update for those concerned, Hole in the Wall Rd:  

For the first time I have ever encountered, they have graded HITW Rd all the way back to the quarry.  Pretty much any decent sedan/SUV can make it back there now.  In the past they would only grade it to the hole in HITW and after it was a HC 4WD bumpy drive further in.  I'm a bit surprised that NPS chose to do this and I'm definitely not thrilled about it.  There is quite a bit of very sensitive stuff not far from the end of the road and it's unfortunate that NPS has made it so easy to get back there now. 

I would also advise that HITW Rd is graded out maybe 1.25 lanes wide with 2ft tall loose gravel berms.  There is virtually NO WHERE to turn around a truck with trailer or anything really, even a Sprinter van.  Possibly in campsites 5 or 9 assuming they're not occupied.  There's not even room at the very end of the road at the quarry unless you have SUPER HC to jump the banks.  You have been warned.

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I'm not generally a peakbagger, but when the opportunity arises to join someone up to an obscure peak in a rarely visited yet beautiful part of DVNP I obviously say YES.  Even if my knees will hate me the next day. 

The peak is imaginatively called Peak 5240 in the Funeral Mtns.  The hike was about 7.5mi with 2700ft of elevation gain.  It overlooks Hole in the Wall & Red Amphitheater and we started from the end of HITW Rd by the old Quarry.  The route took us up from there about 1400ft to a nice ridge walk for a few miles before the 1300ft final ascent that included several Class 4 sections.  I don't recommend this hike to anyone, that doesn't love punishing scree climbs, gorgeously unique views of Death Valley, and dangerous Class 4.  It's perfect if you crave solitude and hate your knees.

I didn't take as many photos as usually because I spent most of time trying to catch my breath & keep up with the inexhaustible Brice, who would happily do 3 of these climbs before lunch. 

 


It's pretty much a scramble from the beginning but the landscape is gorgeous.





A couple of the lower/flatter drainages had some nice dryfalls. 


At least it's not steep.


Looking back towards HITW.





The old quarry in the lower right.  Snow covered Telescope in the background.


Looking into the real Red Amphitheater canyon, not how it's shown on maps. 


Lots of fossils along the way.


Getting ready for a short Class 3+ section. 


Sorting Hat Arch.


Looking down the absolutely stunning Undertaker Canyon.  Widowmaker Falls is down there out of sight, which I believe is the highest single fall drop in the park at something bonkers like 580ft.


Heading to the first Class 4 section.  You absolutely need gloves in this evil cheese-grater dolomite.  It is brutally sharp even to briefly use a hand for balance. 


Very fun Class 4 bit here.  With I think Schwaub in the background.


Looking at the true summit block from the false summit.  A more challenging Class 4 section, especially on legs that just climbed 2650ft.  Lol. 


Undertaker Canyon from the peak along with Zabriskie, Furnace, etc. 


Looking a bit further North to Mesquite Dunes.  I think that is the upper part of Slit Canyon in the middle.





We chose a decent looking drainage for the “hike” down.  It was a fair amount of sliding, several falls, and then a lot of scrambling over rocks.  Overall, 1500ft drop in .7mi. 

In the wash at the bottom of the drop was a lot of this cool layer-cake sedimentary rock.  No luck finding fossilized prints though. 


One helluva fun hike.  Stunning scenery.  I had no idea Undertaker Canyon was so gorgeous above the massive Widowmaker.