Death Valley National Park

In 2009, we visited what was to become one of our top five favorite parks. We lived in Southern California from 1985-89 when we were stationed at El Toro but never went to DVNP. I know we visited a couple of other parks then, but did not as much as we could have. Money was a lot tighter back in the 80s/90s for the Fullerton’s. I’d have to say that I did love the Diego Wild Animal Park in 1988.

Here is an article from Death Valley https://travellemming.com/where-to-stay-near-death-valley/ written by McKenna Mobley with the Travel Lemming. https://travellemming.com/where-to-stay-near-death-valley/

https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/titus-canyon.htm from this site: Titus Canyon has it all—rugged mountains, colorful rock formations, a ghost town, petroglyphs, wildlife, rare plants and spectacular canyon narrows as a grand finale! Visitors to Titus Canyon often include a stop at Rhyolite ghost town before starting the one-way drive. Don’t expect solitude on this trip. Titus Canyon is the most popular back-country road in Death Valley National Park.

• Vehicle needed: Two-wheel-drive, high-clearance recommended; four-wheel-drive may be needed after adverse weather conditions. Two-way section from west OK for two-wheel-drive, standard clearance vehicles.
• Distance: 27 miles; last 3 miles on west end are two-way
• Time needed: 2 to 3 hours
• Start: Nevada Highway 374 (Daylight Pass Road), 2 miles east of park boundary Road
• Conditions: One-way road from east; this dirt road is rough, steep and narrow; often closed due to snow, mud, or wash outs; two-way section from west is graded dirt road.
• Warnings: Infrequently patrolled, summer travel not advised. Canyon prone to flash flooding, avoid entering when rain threatens. Ask at ranger stations for current road and weather conditions.

Titanothere Canyon
From Highway 374 the one-way road heads west across the Amargosa Valley and climbs into the Grapevine Mountains. At White Pass it enters upper Titanothere Canyon. Colorful rock deposits along this section contain fossil beds 30-35 million years old. The fossil skull of a huge, rhino-like titanothere was found here in 1933.
Titanothere Canyon Hike: Those wanting to explore the remote lower reaches of Titanothere Canyon may park where the road crosses the second fork of the drainage. Lostman Spring is a good goal about 4.5 miles down-canyon.

Red Pass (5250’elev.)
The highest point on the road is this divide between Titanothere and Titus Canyons. Stop to enjoy the grand view in both directions.
Thimble Peak Hike: This 6381′ peak is the most prominent in the southern end of the Grapevine Mountains. Although not visible from Red Pass, it provides the easiest access. From the left bank of the road-cut, make your way south along rounded ridges. Thimble Peak soon comes into view across a saddle. Climb the north face to the summit.

Leadfield
The ghost town of Leadfield “boomed” for less than a year in 1926-27 because the lead deposits bottomed out quickly. All that is left today are a few shacks and a number of mines. Many of the mines are open, but enter at your own risk. Loose rocks, rotten timbers, unexpected vertical shafts, and animals seeking shelter are potential hazards.