Back in California

Hello friends!  I returned to Death Valley in December of 2013 for another winter season.  It's been wonderful to be back in Death Valley.  One could spend their entire life here and not see all of this giant park (over 3 million acres).  Here are some pictures of what I've been up to. 

A piece of copper in southern Death Valley

The beautiful colors of Kaleidoscope Canyon in southern Death Valley

Kaleidoscope Canyon's colors contrast nicely against the blue desert sky
 

My hiking partner and friend, Diane, posed in front of a colorfully banded rock wall

Me atop Nevares Peak in Death Valley.  I did not make it to the true summit because according to one old co-worker, my heart was not pure.  To the left of my right shoulder is Cow Creek housing where all of the rangers live.

My good friend Alex accompanied me to Nevares Peak.  Her heart was not pure enough either. 

 

At the base of Nevares Peak is Nevares cabin where an old time prospector lived.  Notice there's a spring here which is where our drinking water comes from. 

A rustic little public use cabin on BLM land just south of Death Valley

Alex and I spent the night at the little cabin and enjoyed a pretty sunset.

The following morning at the little cabin

The beautiful waters of Saratoga Spring in southern Death Valley

The Ibex Dunes in southern Death Valley are one of five dune systems in the park.  I've now only yet to see one of them, the Saline Valley dunes.



Monarch Canyon, in the Grapevine Mountains, has a very high waterfall, but it is only a trickle.



I do not know the name of this pretty plant, but it is pretty with Pyramid Peak in the background. 

The sunset over Telescope Peak (highest mountain in the park at 11,049ft.) seen from the front door of my dorm

While hiking in Greenwater Valley in Death Valley, I saw this rock (an old lava flow) that looks like a turtle.

Beautiful Greenwater Valley, one of my new favorite places in the park