Start time: 0645
Start odometer: 27262
Weather: Beautiful sunrise, some clouds moving in, temperature 34 degrees F.
Today was spent visiting some areas I have seen before, and new sights I have wanted to see since the first time I vacationed in this area. It was a nice day, and in the end, I decided to camp in Death Valley. The night sky was a bit cloudy, but the waning moon was very bright.
Highlights:
Visited the Alabama Hills to see the interesting rock formations. Saw some interesting houses, and watched as five large trucks brought pieces of a building up to the area. New home or movie set???
There is much sage throughout the area, and the scent was very strong in the air.
Decided to drive north on Route 395 a few miles to Big Pine head east, then enter Death Valley along a route new to me.
North of Lone Pine I stopped at the Manzanar War Relocation Center. A National Historic Park in in the works for this center. Since my last visit in February, it looks like only fences and a sign have been added.
In Big Pine, I turned east onto Route 168. This road leads to the Bristlecone Forest, the location of some of the oldest living trees on the planet! I have visited here before, and a link to pictures from that visit can be reached via a link from my home page. The road inside the park was snow covered and closed, so I would not be able to visit the trees today.
Heading east on Route 168, I drove along a roller coaster like road, with many hills and curves. This led me into Nevada, where long stretches of straight road were present. I even saw a golden eagle along the road!
At the intersection of Route 266 and 95, there was no town. However, a business called the "Cottontail Ranch" was there with a sign indicating "Always Open." It took me a few minutes to understand it! Sometimes I do not figure things out too quickly!!!
My first stop in the park was Scotty's Castle. built in the 1920s and 30s. Ranger Amy at the exhibition building suggested I take a guided tour of the house, so I joined Ranger Steve for his 1939 costumed tour of the home. Quite an interesting building and tour!
My next stop in the park was the Ubehebe Crater, a massive crater west of Scotty's Castle. The explosion that created this basin must have been incredibly large!
Finally, I stopped at the Furnace Creek area, got a camping site, then drove around a bit until dinner.
Ranger Charlie had an evening presentation, a talk and slide show about the wilderness aspect of the park. Very interesting!
Click on picture for larger image, hit back button to return to this page.
The California Aqueduct, transporting water to Los Angeles. |
The road leading into the Alabama Hills. |
Beautiful and interesting rock formations are located throughout the hills. |
An old mine entrance... |
...Looking into the mine. |
To gain perspective, my car parked at the base of the hill with the mine. |
In the distance, the road leading to Horseshoe Meadows can be seen headed up the mountain. |
A plaque describing Gunga Din being filmed here. |
Me standing to the left of the plaque. |
The new sign for Manzanar. |
All that is left are two guard houses and the gymnasium/auditorium. |
This tree, with the sign below, at the intersection of Routes 168 and 395. |
Route 168 as it heads up towards the Bristlecone Pine Forest access road. |
The access road to the Bristlecone Pines, snow-covered and closed. |
Westgard Pass, as Route 168 travels through. |
Seeing my road in the valley. |
A golden eagle in flight. |
Another picture of the eagle. |
Snow covered mountains leading towards another valley. |
The story of the structure in the next picture. |
Walls can be seen against the hill. |
The entrance to Death Valley. |
Returning to California. |
Scotty's Castle, looking northwest. |
Walter Scott is buried on top of a hill behind and overlooking the castle. |
Scotty's gravesite. |
Looking at the castle facility from the grave hill. |
The clock tower. |
The castle. looking east from the tower. |
One more exterior view, looking west. |
Inside the castle, the main room has a beautiful chandelier. |
This was a water fountain used to help cool the room. |
An old chest constructed in the late 1400s! |
Ubehebe crater, a breathtaking sight! |
A view over the valley after sunset. |
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Tomorrow I finish my tour of the park, then head south. A storm is in the forecast, so I need to get out of the mountains before the heavy snow! Thank you for visiting!
Routes traveled today: US 395 - Alabama Hills - US 395 - Ca 168 - Ca 266 - Nevada 266 - US 95 - Nv 267 -North Road - Ca 178 - Ca 190
Lodging: Furnace Creek Campground
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