Death Valley & Carrizo Plains: February 2021
Spring is in the Air
With the early signs of Spring, a certain restlessness develops in our household.
Time to head south in search of desert wildflowers.
Red Rock Canyon State Park
We departed early on President’s Day and while driving, encountered blustery cold winds that were predicted to intensify east of the Sierra range. Therefore, we opted to shorten the day’s travel and stay at Red Rock Canyon State Park - a sheltered and scenic campground at 2,600 ft elevation.
Warm Springs Road, Death Valley National Park
Our first Death Valley campsite was along the Warm Springs road, an area we had previously enjoyed during a superbloom year. (Death Valley Map.)
The winds continued and cheese bush seemed to be the only species in flower.
Not the best choice for a campsite.
Warm Springs Road during 2016 “Superbloom”
Hole in the Wall, Death Valley National Park
Next day we relocated to Hole in the Wall wash via the Greenwater dirt road.
That night a Kit Fox explored our secluded camp.
Geology
Hole in the Wall lies in the Furnace Creek Fault Zone. Fault movements gradually lifted the hard sandstone wall upwards and the stream flowing over it maintained its course by eroding a way through the rising wall. The feature is termed a water gap. The wash was bone dry and a pair of Prairie Falcons were nesting on the wall.
People Connections
Met three women while hiking up a canyon. Annie had spent over 20 years in San Diego. She now “lives in her truck” and travels around. I would guess she was in the forestry business as she seemed knowledgeable on trees.
Sue is based in Washington DC and is employed by the EPA. She had been there since the Obama administration and worked on climate change. During Trump’s administration, climate work was greatly reduced and she was transferred to regulatory work. She helped draft Trump’s water transport protection act which is now implemented and, in her opinion, greatly diminishes clean water regulations. She estimates it will take about 4 years to legally reverse the changes.
Desert Lavender - one of the few plants we found blooming
Mesquite Springs, Death Valley National Park
Mesquite Spring campground, our next stop, provides flushing toilets and potable water – uncommon luxuries in Death Valley.
The spring attracts many animals. We saw Lesser Goldfinch, European Starling, Northern Flicker, Black-chinned Sparrow, Raven, American Coot, Marsh Wren, Red-winged Blackbird, Mallard, Loggerhead Shrike, Say’s Phoebe, Western Meadowlark, White-crowned Sparrow, Greater Roadrunner, Coyote, bats and cottontail rabbits.
At night, the Milky Way glistened.
Lesser Goldfinch Mesquite Springs campsite
Panamint Dunes, Death Valley National Park
Our last camp in Death Valley was close to Lake Hill, an ancient island that borders the Panamint Dunes. It is a parched area of cracked mud and restless sand - stark and beautiful.
By now, we had no expectation of flowers. The drought in S California has been prolonged and severe.
Carrizo Plains National Monument
On the way home, we disperse camped for two nights near Quail road in Carrizo Plains. The Park is renown for its soda lake, wildflowers and the San Andreas Fault line. More information HERE.
Very quiet & peaceful. Hiked the surrounding hills to savor the views. Full moon, with Great Horned Owls and coyote calling.