Last Hurrah

My time in Death Valley was quickly drawing to a close.  This was a really fast season!  I still had quite a lengthy list of winter goals but only one day of adventuring left.  I decided to hit the trail to Wildrose Peak.

 

My little car did great getting up the last few miles of dirt road to the charcoal kilns and trailhead.  The wildflowers along the road through Emigrant Canyon were spectacular.  The weather was perfect!  Easily in the 100s down in the valley below but the mountain sitting at a comfortable hiking temp in the 60s.

I hit the trail and had it all to myself.  I might have been motivated by a horde of boy scouts at the trailhead to scoot myself up pretty quick.  The trees and sage brush smelled amazing!  I ran into some snow which was a pleasant surprise.

I had the peak all to myself for most of my stay.  The view was great.  Here's looking down into the 100 degree temps of the valley.

 A little hazy, but the eastern Sierras and Mount Whitney in the distance.  Soon to be my new home!

And, to continue the saga of not complaining about gas prices...

It was a great day.  I finished my last few days of work, cleaned, I packed and loaded my car (in 104 degree temp) and headed east.  I spent a week on the road, taking my time (but no pictures, arg!) and seeing friends on my way back to Houston.  This is a beautiful country and I feel so blessed to be able to work in some of the more spectacular places.