Exploring

Campsite 6, March - 29 We entered Death Valley NP via Towne Pass at a little over 4800 ft. The builders of the road, down into the valley, chose their end point and didn’t veer from their decision more that a few degrees over the twenty plus miles it takes to arrive at an elevation of 100 ft above sea level.
The road comes to a junction, left for gas and other supplies, right to the ranger station and the rest of the park. We did both in that order.
At the ranger station we showed our annual park pass and received a DVNP map and a window card indicating we had paid to enter.

Park Map and Pass

The helpful ranger said we could camp at any campsite outside a campground with no additional fee or permit. We had seen signs saying “camping permit required” so I persisted with the ranger, who went on to say “we don’t use permit information for anything unless someone is reported as missing. It gives us a place to start looking. “
With that information we left the station and headed down a nearby gravel road. The road crossed the valley floor for 10 very bumpy miles then headed up a wash into the mountains. Along the way we saw two backpackers headed back toward the ranger station. They would have a smoother journey that us, even with our tires aired down. When we arrived at the mouth of the mountain wash we found a Toyota truck sitting on three wheels and a rock, high centered! We got out and walked around. There was no one in sight and no note. We wondered if this vehicle belonged to the backpackers we had seen. Nothing could be done here so we moved on.
About half a mile later we found a campsite and pulled in. It wasn’t great and the wind had picked up. A truck pulled up beside us. They had a reservation for a campsite up the road. We didn’t know anything about reservations and this was not a campground. We pulled out our satellite dish and called the ranger station.

How We Communicate with the World

No answer. We waited and tried again. Still no answer. The wind continued to increase. We decided this was not the place for us and loaded up the dish and headed back down to the valley.
As we pulled alongside the backpackers, who were still hiking, I rolled down the window and prepared to shout my greeting over the wind that was now pelting everything with sand.

Sandstorm

As I shouted, “I’m really sorry we don’t have room to pick you up!” They were already shouting, “Thank you for giving us a ride.” At this point the Jeep was already carrying more than usual as the satellite dish was now in the back (normally it is in the trailer and won’t easily go back in without opening up the trailer!!!) Where were we going to put them. I started pushing everything I could under the shelf in the back. I told one of the guys to follow me. We shoved his pack into the hole where the satellite dish had come out of the trailer. He took my seat in the front. His friend huddled over our camera equipment while I contorted myself into the space left between the dish’s packing case and the passengers seat. I slammed the door shut. It didn’t close! I tried again. The vehicle was too full. I needed to find another place to put my foot. I tried again and succeeded. As we rattled along back to the ranger station, we chatted about our journey and where everyone was from. At the ranger station, we aired up as they put their things in their rental car.
We headed on to a different ranger station as they headed off to the LA airport and home.
At a second ranger station I inquired about camping and was told we didn’t need a permit. What is with these guys?
We left and headed down a gravel road where every half mile or so there was a campsite. The first four were occupied. Several had permits posted. I’m so confused. We finally found an empty spot, pulled in and unhooked the trailer. It was going to be a wind night. Then we looked up the road. Maybe there was a protected spot in the canyon above us. We got back in the Jeep and headed up the trail. Around the second bend in the canyon was a wide spot in the wash with a well protected campsite. No discussion was needed. We turned around to get the trailer. As we were disconnecting the trailer for the second time that night, a Jeep rolled up next to us and stopped. I went over to see what he needed as three more vehicles pulled up behind him. He introduced himself and said they were looking for a camp. He was eyeing OUR camp. I turned to follow his gaze and realized that what we saw as a protected site he saw as a large site.

Camp on Echo Canyon Trail

At that point he quickly offered, can we camp next to you. Remembering the guys we camped next to on our first night out (Petroglyphs) I asked, are you going to sing songs until 1:00am? With a puzzled look he replied, “I can’t sing and don’t know any songs.” So I said sure and they pulled in.
In case you have missed the point of this long-winded tale, exploring will lead to missteps and backtracking. Sometimes you hike for miles and the only interesting thing you find are thoughts that were already in your head. That’s exploring.
Our neighbors were quiet and stayed to themselves. It’s was good to help out some folks. It’s all part of the adventure.

Update: A few days later we ran into the same group on the trail. We were all headed to the same gas station, which was out of gas when we arrived!

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like adversity builds a sense of community.

***