Photo Blog with Waterfalls, Hiking, Outdoors, and other Adventures
The plan for today was just a quick daytrip with short hikes. After Belmont Mount was a bust, I tried my luck next at Nelson Dewey State Park. Just picked up a new Forester so any good excuse for a drive will do. Much like Belmont Mound, this site only has about 2 miles of … Read more
Had some free time on Memorial Day weekend for a short day trip. Decided to head southwest and start at Belmont Mound State Park. This is a small park & State Natural Area operated by the local Lions Club. Main feature is an observation tower that still stands but has been permanently closed by the DNR … Read more
One final full day in Nevada. Decided to check out the Mount Charleston area if for no other reason it will be a good primer for future visits. Honestly though I don’t need any logic to pick a place like this: mountains, waterfalls, and within a national forest. It checks all the boxes. Vegas area was … Read more
Headed back towards Vegas to get cell reception for funeral arrangements & ended up not needing to cut the trip short. Was already past Pahrump so decided to stay close to Vegas. Camping was done for now but booked my best AirBnB to date (seriously if you’re solo check for a listing called “Vital Vegas”, … Read more
After leaving Devils Golf Course, I had time for one last hike before having to make my way back towards Vegas (in case the funeral calls for an early flight). Took a quick look at the map and continued my sampling of the Badwater Road destinations by checking out the Golden Canyon hike. Temperatures were … Read more
Just a short drive from Badwater Basin is the Natural Bridge rock formation. The canyon was created by water flowing the path of least resistance down the mountain ultimately creating a natural archway in the stone. From the trailhead it doesn’t take long for the canyon walls to rise up around you. Temperatures today were … Read more
I didn’t sleep much due to high winds nearly blowing my tent over and temps rising 20 degrees after midnight making me sweat under my down quilt. News of my grandma passing gave uncertainty on how long my trip would last but I was here at it was time to DO IT NOW. Figured the services … Read more
One last stop today at Harmony Borax Works before getting back to the campground. This short interpretive trail led through ruins of what was once a famous borax mining operation in the late 19th century. Remnants of the large boiler and refining building stood atop a small hill. The Dial Corporation sold borax as a … Read more
The drive back south from Ubehebe Crater is a fantastic scenic cruise but there aren’t many attractions until you get back near Stovepipe Wells. Daylight was fading so I made the call to check out some of the smaller areas, one of which is the Salt Creek Interpretive Trail. This short trail covered by a … Read more
Back in Stovepipe Wells village, I topped off the gas tank and paused for some strategery. Knowing the roads marked for 4×4 only were aptly rated, I reluctantly crossed many destinations off the list (sorry Racetrack Playa, another time). But fear not, Death Valley has plenty to do without a monster truck! I took a … Read more