Southwest Road Trip - Death Valley 2

Day 2 started out very windy so the Mesquite Dunes hike turned out to be a short one.  It was hard enough walking on the sand, the wind did not help. The dunes were also quite flat because of the wind.  We did not venture out too far into the dunes but it was still quite an experience amidst the vastness of it all.

Mesquite Dunes

Dramatic clouds as we left Mesquite Dunes

We did a short hike in the Golden Canyon - it was a spectacular trail with lots of different geologic formations.  Apparently there is a pamphlet at the trailhead  that you could get to show what to look out for on the hike - we missed it.  As the Artists' Drive is very close to the Golden Canyon, we decided to do another drive through while we were in the neighbourhood.  But we didn't check our itinerary - we should have gone on the very easy trail to see the Natural Bridge, also in the neighbourhood.

Entrance to the Golden Canyon

Amazing rock faces and geologic formations

Red Cathedral in the distance.  We did not go all the way into the canyon but it seems that you could hike up to Zabriskie Point from here, a 6 mile hike that's likely to be very scenic.  

All kinds of geologic history here.  See how the rocks are different even in these few random photos.

The Twenty Mule Team drive took us through colourful badlands but it is one way and quite narrow with steep curvy dips.  I was glad we were in a 4x4.  This area is supposed to be the setting for Star Wars VI - Return of the Jedi - I can see why it would be suitable.

Some steep climbs and dips

We drove up to Dante's View hoping to catch the sunset there but it was too windy - it was almost impossible to hold a camera still.  But the view was spectacular.  Zabriskie Point would have been an alternative for sunset but we were tired and had a dinner date at the reputedly excellent restaurant at the Inn.  This usually happens near the end of a road trip - bodies and minds were oversaturated and tired.  The dinner though was excellent and a suitable wrap up of our Death Valley venture.

Dante's View

No sunset to wrap up the post, but here is a night view of the Inn and an underground tunnel from the parking lot to the Inn through their wine cellar - how's that for ambiance!

 

The Inn at Furnace Creek - a historic hotel built in 1927  - check out its floor below

The terracotta floor 

And an underground tunnel to boot!