This candid photo of me was taken by a stranger at Zabriskie Pt the night before running the Death Valley trail marathon. Thank you Pankaj!
Sunrise from Furnace Creek before I depart for the marathon.
The starting point of the marathon on Titus Canyon road. Elevation 3460 ft.
Nearing Red Pass, about half way done.
First view over Red Pass, 5250 ft.
A happy runner.
Descending through Titus Canyon.
Finished and looking back!
I was very sore after the marathon. All I did for the first two days was go back to Zabriskie Pt to enjoy the sunsets.
On the fourth day I hiked the popular Golden Canyon / Red Cathedral / Gower Gulch loop.
180-degree view from Red Cathedral.
Exiting Gower Gulch.
Two days later I am finally recovered enough for a real adventure. I depart south to a very remote area to visit some slot canyons. On the way there were some beautiful cloud formations (it rained the day before).
A 180 degree panorama showing where I parked. It truly felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.
A view to the east.
A view to the west. My destinations for the day, three slot canyons, are located nearly 4 miles away across open desert. The canyon entrances are located in the dark area in the foothills of the Owlshead Mountains, center-right.
On the way I cross the Amargosa River (usually dry).
Finally I arrive at the base of the foothills.
Looking back.
Zoom.
My car, roughly 4 miles back.
Entering the beginning of the canyon area.
I will be visiting three slot canyons today. The first begins on the right. This canyon, and the small side canyon, are blocked by dryfalls. After hiking to the falls I will return to this location, climb out on the left, and descend back into the canyon above the falls.
Main canyon on the left, narrow side canyon on the right.
The side canyon has a stunning narrow section that is very dark inside.
A beautiful dryfall blocks further ascent.
A dryfall also blocks the main canyon.
I have now climbed out of the canyon to bypass the dryfalls.
A view from the top of the fall.
Continuing up, the canyon changes character repeatedly.
I'd love to continue past the boulders but it's already getting a bit late, so I climb out of the canyon to the left.
Looking back.
My last view back before continuing over the small ridge to the right.
Over the ridge and looking southeast.
I've reached the upper part of canyon #2 (now looking up - I wish I had time to explore in this direction but it's getting late).
I head down along the rim so I can enter the canyon from the bottom.
Exiting canyon #2.
After walking south for a while I reach the top of slot canyon #3. It's amazing to stare into this deep gash.
After walking along the rim I reach the lower entrance to canyon #3.
There is a larger canyon on the left and a short side canyon on the right.
I enter the main canyon first.
Blocked by a dryfall.
Also blocked by a dryfall.
Looking back at the entrance of canyon #3.
I have nearly 4 miles to walk (well, actually run) back to my car.
Today I hike Sidewinder Canyon with my friends Dave and Charlie, who arrived late last night.
Sidewinder Canyon consists of one main canyon and 3 particularly stunning slot canyons that branch off the south side. Here are Dave, Charlie, and Koguma in front of slot canyon 2.
Dave and Charlie stop for a snack under an arch.
We climb all the way to the hills above slot canyon 2.
These canyons contain some dramatic sharp U-turns.
There are dark almost cave-like sections.
And more arches!
The next day we explore Fall Canyon (entrance on right).
A dryfall blocks the path.
About 100 feet or so before the fall there is a way to climb up the side.
Dave climbs up.
Looking back below the fall.
A lovely U-turn in solid rock.
Dave climbs above the main Fall Canyon narrows (yellow shirt - upper left).
We turn around and head back to the car.
Dave snaps a picture of me from above.
The next day I hike Willow Creek Canyon. This is a view from near the parking lot. Dave and Charlie left this morning so I'm hiking alone again.
I love how the type of rock abruptly changes in the center of this photo.
When I see tree stumps in the canyons I enjoy imagining the incredible flash floods that carried them down from miles higher in the canyon.
There were a couple of very short but stunning slot canyons on the side.
Continuing up Willow Creek Canyon.
There is a seasonal waterfall!
The first sign of what is to be an amazing sunset.
On my last day, before driving home, I wake up at 5am and head to Dante's View for sunrise. From there I hike the roughly 9-mile roundtrip to Mt. Perry.
The hike follows the N-S ridge, offering stunning views.
A 180-degree panorama looking west. I came from the ridge on the left and am headed to Mt Perry, the highest point along the ridge to the right.
Nearing the top of Mt. Perry.
The view west from the top.
North and east.
A zoom of the Sierra peaks in the distance.
Enjoying lunch and a lovely view of Telescope Peak to the west.
Mt. Charleston to the east.
Headed south, departing from Mt. Perry. It's about 4.5 miles along the ridge back to Dante's View.
A near 360-degree panorama.
View of Mt. Perry as I depart.