Probably the most fun canyon I explored in Death Valley last fall was Grotto Canyon. It’s a bit infamous – and for good reason – but it’s also a beautifully formed slot with a lot of fun areas. And by…
Historic Hiking on the Keane Wonder Mine Trail
On our last visit to Death Valley National Park, the Keane Wonder Mine Trail was high on my list of “must-do” hikes. I’d hiked it at least three times back in the early 2000s, but then the area was closed…
Adventuring up 20 Mule Team Canyon
A few weeks ago, I talked about exploring around 20 Mule Team Scenic Drive in Death Valley National Park. Well, partially by accident, and partially intentionally, I also ended up exploring 20 Mule Team Canyon, also located along the scenic…
Exploring 20 Mule Team
There’s a nice little scenic drive a short distance up CA-190 from Furnace Creek. It’s called 20 Mule Team because it’s the route that the famous “20 Mule Team” used to transport borax out of Death Valley. But I have…
Trip Overview: Death Valley and Beyond
I returned a few weeks ago from a fantastic trip to the American southwest! We hiked over 100 miles (despite the short days of November), laughed a lot, stargazed almost every night, and just had a wonderful time hanging out…
The Top 20 Pages on Anne’s Travels in 2019!
It’s the end of 2019, which means it’s time for the annual roundup of the Top 20 Pages on Anne’s Travels! The top pages are pretty much the same as last year – Out of State Learner Permit Laws, 10…
Best Day Hikes in Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a land of extremes – incredibly dry desert, mountains, bristlecone forests, cacti, sand dunes, wildflowers, canyons, old mines, and waterfalls, not to mention rich history, hiking options galore, and the bragging rights of “the lowest place in…
Evening at Badwater Basin
We were crazy to go to Badwater Basin in the middle of June the week after record-breaking high temperatures in California. We knew we were crazy. But we also wanted to hike Telescope Peak, and since we had to travel…
Overlook Death Valley & China Lake from Rogers Peak & Bennett Peak
If you happen to visit Death Valley in the spring, fall, or summer, you’ll probably want to get out of the valley as quickly as possible to escape the heat. The problem is that one of the few ways to…
Sneak Peak: A California Trip through Desert and Snow
Well, I just got back from a fantastic trip to California! We saw the desert, and we saw snow (lots of snow!), not to mention some truly fabulous views of mountains, cliffs, slot canyons, salt flats, and the beautiful NorCal…