Ted's Hiking World Golden Canyon
Death Valley National Park

November 7, 2016

Having already visited the Trona Pinnacles today, Gary and I are heading to Death Valley.  Having driven through here only twice previously, I never have done any hiking in this park.

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An unconcerned coyote approaches at a highway junction

Off to the left, another coyote seemingly is anticipating a possible handout.  I didn't know they did that sort of thing now.

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Spectacular colors for a desert

As we arrive in Furnace Creek — the social hub of the park, we have dropped below sea level.  Our stopping place a few miles farther south is at -100 feet.

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At the trailhead

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Getting started

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Red Cathedral dominates the view so far

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The path over to 'Brown Hill' is worth investigating

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Had I read the big sign at the trailhead, I would have known what to expect; but no.  At about the 1-mile mark, an unanticipated trail junction appears.  From here we either could continue to the base of Red Cathedral or head off to the right.  Apparently Gary knows something, because he promptly starts up the side route.

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The signpost says "Golden Canyon Trailhead: 3.3 miles"

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This will double our overall walking distance, but that's okay

It so happens that Gary had previously come this far with his partner Sharon some years ago.  She had continued the loop and has highly recommended it, so here we go.

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Manly Beacon beckons

Look at the trail!  Are we really expected to go way up there, in this heat?

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Across the valley is the Panamint Range

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The trail skirts the side of Manly Beacon

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At the trail high-point

Gary and I are somewhat relieved to be starting down now — not because we are tired, but because we want to head downward.

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This sort of trail is unique in my experience

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I guess we aren't lost

Presently we encounter a junction of sorts.  Although as far as I am concerned the main route clearly continues straight ahead, that is in the opposite direction from the trailhead.  Gary wants to try his luck in the inviting wash to the right, though; I am happy to follow, always game for an off-trail venture.

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"There are footprints over here."

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Down and around we go

Of course there is the possibility of running into a dropoff too high to negotiate, which would force a retracement of many steps, but after about ten minutes we emerge into a much bigger wash and meet up with a visible trail again.

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Gower Gulch should be a cakewalk; we'll see

There is a signpost indicating that the Golden Canyon Trailhead is to the left.  Excepting our little shortcut, that's where we just came from, however; so we turn right instead.  Downward has to be forward.

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Red Cathedral
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Red gravel

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From red rocks to gray rocks

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The dark stones resemble sprinkles on a cake

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The canyon walls are most interesting

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A long-defunct borax mine

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What an array of colors

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It is somewhat eerie back here, being the only hikers on what purportedly is the most popular trail in the park.  Not bad, but strange.

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The easy walking appears to be over

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It this a dead-end?  Not likely.

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Scrambling required

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This is fun

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The second drop is about four feet

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Nearing the end, we presume

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The wash terminates abruptly

The appearance of a 30-foot dropoff just ahead puts Gary off a bit at first, but surely the Park Service would not leave us high and dry here.

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There is an escape route

Getting back to the car is just a formality now.

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The last mile is obstacle-free

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The signpost we didn't read earlier    ⇔

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On our way out of the park


§: Well, my first outing in Death Valley was a roaring success.  The landscape provided a range of colors that I had not anticipated, so my camera was very happy today.  Had I been aware that the loop would be as long as it was in 82-degree heat, I would have packed more water just in case.

Scenery *
Difficulty *
Adventure *
Solitude *

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Our 'shortcut' is shown in dark red

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