Two of the other stops I made in Death Valley were all about spectacular views. The first, Zabriskie Point is also on the west side of the park a few miles past Furnace Creek on highway 190. A large parking lot sits below a well worn climb up to the vista point. Judging from the crowd here, this is obviously a very popular point and as I begin to climb up the short trail to the top, I can see why.
Below Zabriskie Point expands a landscape of multiple shapes, colors, and textures. As I understand it, this is the eroded remains of the ancient Furnace Creek Lake. The dry landscape and plethora of minerals in the soil here makes for some magnificent contrasts. The view from this point is ideal to see this amazing sprawl. And while my current trip won't allow me the time to explore it, there is a trail leading through these badlands. I will definitely have to hike this on my next trip.
Further down highway 190 is the turn off leading toward Dante's View. A posted signs warns against trying to pull a trailer up to this amazing view, which supposedly allows one to see the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin (at 282 feet below seal level) and the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mt. Whitney (at 14,505 feet) all in one breathtaking scene.
After reaching the parking lot at the top of Dante's View, I can understand why no trailers should be pulled up here. Most of the drive is pretty easy, but the last half-mile or so is full of sharp, steep bends as the road winds around a small peak to get to the top. The view from up here is truly amazing, and possibly offers the best panoramic possible of the whole of Death Valley. Badwater Basin is fairly obvious in the foreground a few thousand feet below, but Mt. Whitney requires a bit more work to find. The range directly to the west of Death Valley is the Panamint Range, and while very scenic and even snow-covered does not reach the heights of the Sierra Nevada Range further to the west. However, if you follow the ridgeline with your eyes on a clear day (like today), you will eventually see distant snow-covered peaks above the Panamint range. I'm told this is Mt. Whitney, which lies about 85 miles to the northwest (though at this distance and from this angle, I can't confirm that myself). Amazing!
I take a quick hike out to another connected peak where enthusiasts are taking pictures of the length of the massive valley below, and then return to my jeep for the drive down.
Winter in Reno, where I have lived for several years, is normally a time of few hikes and outdoor adventures due to most of the mountain passes being closed off. One destination that is an exception to this thinking is Death Valley. In fact, visiting this park in winter is the ideal season due to the incredibly high summer temperatures (exceeding 125 degrees at times). A gentlemen that I work with at my new job has spent a great deal of time in Death Valley over the years and suggested a couple of points of interest that I have not visited on my previous trips to the park.
The first of these was Titus Canyon, which I had always been curious about. The exit of the canyon is well signed driving from Scotty's Castle to Furnace Creek, but prior to planning this trip, I had not looked into where the canyon drive started. In fact, it begins outside of the park near the town of Beatty, NV. From Beatty, head east on hightway 374. After about five miles you will pass a right turn that leads to the ghost town of Rhyolite, and another three or so miles past this turn, you will encounter another turn of listed as Titus Canyon. The sign recommends a high clearance 4x4 for this road and I would agree with the assessment, as it is rocky, windy, and steep in some areas. It is also one way, heading west, into the park. The first several miles are relatively tame (though there are some sharp and steep turns) as you cross a small mountain range before entering Titus Canyon itself.
Once inside the canyon, you will drive down a wash, which presumably carved the canyon over the millenia, that has been somewhat leveled to serve as a loose gravel road. Passing through the narrow canyon, you will be in awe of the shear cliffs on either side. I wish it had been a bit warmer so I could have taken the top down on my jeep, but the sunlight in this narrow winding pass keeps the temperature pretty cool. No worries though, I only saw one other vehicle during the entire 27 mile drive and so, was able to take ample opportunities to get out of the vehicle and get some pictures. As the drive itself was pretty breathtaking, I decided to attempt to film some of it as well using the video feature on my camera.
I was also suprised to see a small petroglyph site about midway through the canyon. A sign on the right side of the road asks visitors to preserve the site. A bit further, and nearing the end of the canyon, it gets more narrow as it winds to and fro through the cliffsides. Finally, it releases the traveler to a gated parking lot where hikers can begin the trail through the canyon on foot.
This was a specacular drive and while not overly rough for my jeep, I'm reminded of how much I love rubicon. I would strongly recommend this drive to anyone with the appropriate vehicle. It's definitely worth it.
