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Death Valley National Park Titus Canyon

 

Road to the west end of Titus Canyon in Grapevine Mountains Death Valley National Park CaliforniaRoad to the west end of Titus Canyon in Grapevine Mts
After the wind buffeting at Ubehebe Crater (I love that name), we continued our explorations of Death Valley National Park and drove to the mouth of Titus Canyon for a hike into “one of the largest and most scenically diverse canyons in the park” according to the park’s newspaper guide.
Entering Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaEntering Titus Canyon
A single lane gravel road in the dry wash can be traveled by foot or, one-way east to west 26 miles (41.84 km) by high clearance vehicles. Not us.
Mosaic of rock Titus Canyon in Grapevine Mts Death Valley National Park CaliforniaMosaic pattern on canyon walls
We drove to the canyon’s mouth from the west on a short section of two-way road. I say road, when really it’s just the packed rock of the alluvial fan spreading infinite rounded pieces of the mountains beyond carried by water.
Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaJeremy in canyon
Our hike would be opposing traffic through this narrow 1.5 mile (2.4 km) canyon, down to 20 feet (6 meters) wide. It continues past a spring where Bighorn Sheep are often sighted, petroglyphs, and a ghost town called “Leadville” that only survived one year. But we didn’t get that far.
Bird's nest Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaBird’s nest in erosion hole
Imagine the power of water moving rock, described as a cement slurry, that it took to carve this canyon during the last 3 millioin years.
Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaWater carved rock and Jeremy in background
How I would love to be somewhere safe, watching a giant flood pour through and feel the towering cliffs tremble. (Ok, so maybe I got carried away with the tremble.)
Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaEarth Art
But then what about going back in geologic time some 1.8 billion years to see the settled multi-colored volcanic deposits and watch a fast forward of the mountains uplift followed by the erosion and carving of the canyon that left earth art upon the walls.
Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaGneiss rock
Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaWe saw no vehicles and very few people after entering the canyon. I could barely imagine driving thru this narrow cut.
Gaelyn in Titus Canyon Death Valley National Park CaliforniaWe probably walked about a mile in and turned around as it was getting late in the afternoon and we still wanted to stop at the Mesquite sand dunes.
California, Death Valley National Park, National Parks and Monuments , 19 Comments

Death Valley National Park Ubehebe Crater

After touring the opulence of Scotty’s Castle we headed out to Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park. (Say it out loud, all long vowels, a very fun name with an unknown origin.) It was very windy on the crater’s rim so we opted not to hike around it.
Ubehebe Crater Death Valley National Park CaliforniaUbehebe Crater
A few thousand years ago a tremendous explosion occurred in Death Valley leaving behind a crater .5 mile (.8 km) across and 500 feet (152.4 meters) deep. A rising plume of molten basalt came in contact with the overlying watertable causing a violent release of underground steam pressure that left volcanic cinders and ash up to 150 feet (45.72 meters) deep covering the ground from 2-5 miles (3.21-8.04 meters) in every direction.
Interpretive sign Ubehebe Crater Death Valley National Park Californiaphoto of sign
There are actually several explosion craters in the area; some may be younger than Ubehebe.
Gaelyn and Jeremy at Ubehebe Crater Death Valley National Park CaliforniaGaelyn and Jeremy
We really wanted to visit Death Valley’s famous rock Racetrack but it requires a high-clearance vehicle over 27 miles (43.45 km) of rough gravel road. Large boulders weighing up to 400 pounds mysteriously move across a dry lakebed leaving gouged trails behind. No one has actually seen the rocks move but scientists speculate that very strong winds blow the rocks when the surface is slick from occasional light rains. I’d rather believe they just go for a st-roll.From Ubehebe Crater we headed to Titus Canyon for a hike.
California, Death Valley National Park, National Parks and Monuments , 22 Comments

Scotty’s Castle Death Valley National Park

Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaScotty’s Castle
After two days exploring the stark beauty of Death Valley National Park I was totally unprepared for the opulence of Scotty’s Castle built in the desert. It really is an amazing place with many innovative ideas and magnificent handcrafts. Yet the best part is the story, and Ranger Scott, dressed as a professor visiting during 1939, spun a good tale.
Gate into Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaWrought iron and wood gate with J&S
First there’s Scotty himself, called a scoundrel by some and a friend by others, who did not own the “Castle.” Born Walter Scott and known as Death Valley Scotty, he was undoubtedly the most famous prospector in the region yet unlikely ever struck a vein of gold.
Courtyard Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaRanger Scot in the courtyard
Scotty grew up in Kentucky around horses and traveled west at a young age where he became a cowhand with his brothers not far from Death Valley. In 1890 he was recruited into Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and spent the next 11 years traveling in the US and Europe.
Scotty and Johnson's cars Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaScotty and Johnson’s cars
In 1904, an in debt Scotty met Albert Johnson, a multimillionaire insurance executive from Chicago. They were opposites in almost every way yet were partners and friends for over 40 years. Scotty was gregarious and loud with loose morals that often caused him trouble with the law. Johnson was shy, deeply religious and a respected citizen.
Clock tower Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaEquipment and mechanical building with 56-chime clock in tower
Johnson may have been living out his own fantasies or just entertained by Scotty when they traveled into Death Valley a portion of each winter. The condition to get his wife Bessie to accompany him was to build a proper home.
Main salon Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaConstruction began on the Moorish-style house in 1922 and because of the location caused quite a stir amongst the press. The flamboyant Scotty was there and called it “my castle” and it seems Johnson was glad to stay in the background. A custom cooling system was built using waterfalls like the one seen in the far right above along with water soaked burlap placed behind a wall vent and ducted with air flow from the basement.
Sitting room Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaSitting room showing light patterns from wooden window covers
Money was no object. The interior was adorned with imported and hand-carved furniture.
Dinning room Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaDining room
Custom made Italian dishware were used to serve guests who afterward moved to the main salon where Scotty would entertain for the evening telling stories of his Wild West days while the Johnsons sat quietly by.
Kitchen Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaKitchen
A diesel generator provided electricity for modern conveniences and water was solar heated.
Music room Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaMusic room
There is a custom-made organ in the music room along with an electric player piano.
Scotty's bedroom Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaScotty’s bedroom with his signature hats and red ties
Scotty didn’t actually live in the castle instead he had a ranch located several miles away. He would bid guests goodnight and leave the salon through an adjacent door into his bedroom where another door led outside.
Shooting hole in Scotty's bedroom Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaShoot hole
At Scotty’s request a hole was built next to the door leading out of his “bedroom” so he could shoot any scoundrels that came around. Yet knowing the bad guys usually traveled in pairs, the outside of the “shooting hole” directed the bullet one way towards the door and the other way towards a window. It was never tested.
Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaFront of house with pool
Work stopped in 1931 and the Depression was rough on Johnson. Ultimately the house comprised of 31,000 sq. ft. of floor space, plus stables and guesthouses. The large pool was never completed or filled. When Johnson died in 1948 he left the castle and ranch not to Scotty but to the Gospel Foundation of California which he had established and allowed Scotty to stay and entertain guests until his own death six years later. During the late 1960s the National Park Service acquired all the properties.
Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park CaliforniaCastle in a desert oasis
After this grand tour we continued our explorations of Death Valley from opulence to a big hole in the ground.
California, Death Valley National Park, National Parks and Monuments , , 29 Comments

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