The wildflowers were in full bloom in Surprise Canyon. I appreciated the flowers more on our descent from Panamint City, as compared to the day before on our hike up. : ) <br> It's quite a hike up to Panamint City with a heavy pack on. Totally worth it, though! I would love to return for some more exploring. <br> <br> If one likes backpacking, this is a great place to go; just not in the dead of summer. <br> <br> Taken 5/19/10

Dirty Gri Gri,… > Just some more desert…

The wildflowers were in full bloom in Surprise Canyon. I appreciated the flowers more on our descent from Panamint City, as compared to the day before on our hike up. : ) <br>
It's quite a hike up to Panamint City with a heavy pack on. Totally worth it, though! I would love to return for some more exploring. <br>
<br>
If one likes backpacking, this is a great place to go; just not in the dead of summer.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

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The old "Overflow Cabin" on the north side of the canyon we stayed in, as "The Hilton" was occupied by two nice men named Bill, and Richard. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to snag the Hilton on the next trip up. It's all on a first come, first serve basis in Panamint City. There's running water in the cabin, a wood burning stove, and other luxuries of home, with some critters, and their droppings mixed in. A big rat kept us up off, and on during the night. It knocked some of my crap off the counter; that dirty rat!! ; (<br>
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Taken 5/18/10

A fun backpacking trip to the ghost town of Panamint City. This is one of the larger waterfalls you have to hike through, or climb around when in Surprise Canyon.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

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Dirty Gri Gri, or is it GiGi?

May 24, 2010

“The wildflowers were in full bloom in Surprise Canyon. I appreciated the flowers more on our descent from Panamint City, as compared to the day before on our hike up. : )
It's quite a hike up to Panamint City with a heavy pack on. Totally worth it, though! I would love to return for some more exploring.

If one likes backpacking, this is a great place to go; just not in the dead of summer.

Taken 5/19/10”

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Nearby Photos

Collared lizard near the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/5/10; my third weekend (Tues-Wednesday) in a row of exploring Death Valley. Can't get enough of this place. : )

Extreme winds, and dust storms can't even keep us from our desert adventures. : )<br>
<br>
Visiting the mysterious sailing stones at Racetrack Playa on 4/27/10 on our way to explore the backcountry of DV.

We only stay at the finest places. Hantavirus included with three nights stay.<br>
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Taken 4/28/10 at the Lost Burro Mine cabin in Death Valley.

Life in Death Valley blooming.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/4/10

Black-necked Stilts in Death Valley blocking the road. <br>
<br>
Taken 5/5/10.

The smelting stack with the "Hilton" cabin visible on the right, and the "Overflow cabin" which can be seen on the left of the smelting stack. There are other cabins strewn about, but these are the main ones in town.<br>
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Look at all that granite in the background! What a beautiful area!<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

Sailing stone at the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken on 4/27/10 in a dust storm on a very windy day.

At the Saline Valley Hot Springs campground in Death Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/20/10

Boulder field in McElvoy Canyon in Saline Valley. A beautiful place to be.<br>
<br>
4/21/10

At Ol' Riley's Camp.<br>
<br>
March 31st, 2010

Handsome granite awaits you in, and around Panamint City. There's trad climbing potential here; note the crags in the background. <br>
<br>
These huge, awesome fort-like walls are near "The Hilton Cabin." The historical structures in PC are amazing! <br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

The old "Overflow Cabin" on the north side of the canyon we stayed in, as "The Hilton" was occupied by two nice men named Bill, and Richard. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to snag the Hilton on the next trip up. It's all on a first come, first serve basis in Panamint City. There's running water in the cabin, a wood burning stove, and other luxuries of home, with some critters, and their droppings mixed in. A big rat kept us up off, and on during the night. It knocked some of my crap off the counter; that dirty rat!! ; (<br>
<br>
Taken 5/18/10

The wildflowers were in full bloom in Surprise Canyon. I appreciated the flowers more on our descent from Panamint City, as compared to the day before on our hike up. : ) <br>
It's quite a hike up to Panamint City with a heavy pack on. Totally worth it, though! I would love to return for some more exploring. <br>
<br>
If one likes backpacking, this is a great place to go; just not in the dead of summer.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

A fun backpacking trip to the ghost town of Panamint City. This is one of the larger waterfalls you have to hike through, or climb around when in Surprise Canyon.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

Self portrait in the old Lost Burro Mine cabin in the backcountry of Death Valley. Lately, we've been getting our fix of exploring Death Valley before it heats up. I love DV!<br>
<br>
Taken 4/28/10

The closest I've ever come to getting a snake bite was from this Sidewinder; I didn't see it in my path, and just about stepped on the poor snake. It freaked out my friend out who was hiking with me because it was such a close call.<br>
<br>
Hiking in Death Valley 5/4/10.

The hotsprings in Saline Valley are relaxing, especially under the stars at night.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/21/10

Visiting Scotty's Castle on our way to our back country adventure in Death Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/27/10

I imagined Tuco from "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly saying in a thick accent, "Hmmmm, 30 miles from a paved highway, losing daylight, another storm moving in, no cell reception to call-in to work, that's not too bad!" (insert Tuco's laugh)<br>
<br>
We busted through with a little luck, some skillz, and some wild, and crazy driving. The things we do for fun! No worries, we know enough to bring supplies, even for "day trips" in the back-country. ; )<br>
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Other sayings that may also go good with this not too uncommon place of ours...<br>
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Tuco: "If you save your breath I feel a man like you can manage it. And if you don't manage it, you'll die. Only slowly, very slowly old friend."<br>
<br>
Tuco: I would like to piss, it's rough. I've been shaking up in this train (aka truck) nearly ten hours now. <br>
Cpl. Wallace: You smell like a pig already. Let's try not to make things any worse. <br>
<br>
Tuco:You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig. <br>
<br>
I swear, I think of Spaghetti Western lines everytime I'm in these types of situations. ; )<br>

A panel of rare, and unique Coso pictographs in Surprise Canyon. <br>
<br>
taken 5/19/10

Mormon Tea, and the smelting stack of Panamint City.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

We can always find something to climb, even on our non-climbing desert adventures. Jonny starting up the fixed ropes.<br>
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In McElvoy Canyon in the Saline Valley in Death Valley. Lots of lush vegetation, with beautiful waterfalls, and crystal clear creeks this time of year in McElvoy Canyon. There were old, ratty fixed ropes to ascend the steeper sections of the canyon. I highly recommend this hike if you're in the Saline Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/21/10

It snowed on us in Death Valley on the north pass. We had our shovels, and chains all ready to go. ; )<br>
<br>
Taken 4/21/10

Room with a view! A view of the 65 foot tall smelting stack built in 1876 with the help of two rotten, crooked senators from Nevada. It was in operation for about a year at the cost of $210,000 of dirty, filthy money, and about a half million bricks. Oh well, at least we still get to enjoy the structure as a beautiful, historical site. It's so freaking cool! This pic was taken from the kitchen window of the "Overflow Cabin" we stayed at in Panamint City.<br>
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<br>
Taken 5/18/10

Jonny at the Racetrack Playa in Death Valley trying to make sense of things..<br>
<br>
Taken 4/27/10

One of McElvoy Canyon's beautiful waterfalls. I believe the old ladder in pic is called the "Beekeepers Ladder."<br>
<br>
Saline Valley 4/21/10

The friendly burros at our campsite at the Saline Valley Hotsprings. Our camp seen in background was frequented by these guys.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/20/10

Granite bricks, and the infamous smelting stack of Panamint City.<br>
<br>
Taken 5/19/10

The hike into McElvoy Canyon. The wall behind me is home to some of the most lush vegetation I've seen in this neck of the desert. There's a waterfall coming down the wall behind me on climber's left. A great hike in Saline Valley.<br>
<br>
Taken 4/21/10

"CQ CQ CQ calling CQ"

In the infamous Burro Schmidt's tunnel while Jonny's making a radio contact on his mobile HAM radio. As usual, we had the place all to ourselves. What an awesome tunnel!<br>
<br>
Mid March, 2010.