Hike to Arcane Meadows, in Death Valley National Park...

From Mahogany Flat Campground, at the 8100 foot level high in the Panamint Mountains, the hike to Telescope Peak is about 7-1/2 miles each way, with an elevation gain of around 3000 feet and it's a hike, not a technical climb. (However those brave enough, or stupid enough to attempt this hike in snowy conditions can expect it to become quite technical, requiring crampons, ice axes and all the winter survival stuff) However, it's not for the loose of foot or the feint of heart as the trail immediately starts to climb and before long, you're hiking a very narrow trail, with a steep bank to your right and a 45-degree slope to your left, dropping hundreds of feet. If you did manage to fall, you'd have a hard time getting back on the trail, as it's steep and covered with loose, flat rocks that would afford little, if any, traction.

Photo: The sun rises over the Funeral Mountains at the east side of Death Valley. It's Tuesday, September 28, 2004, it's 0630 in the morning, with a temperature of 46 degrees, and I'm camped at Mahogany Flat Campground, high in the Panamint Mountains at the 8100 foot level, enjoying a spectacular sunrise. After a breakfast of a can of cold corned beef hash, I'm ready to tackle the trail to Arcane Meadows.

Photo: Here's a typical section of trail, about 2 miles out of Mahogany Flat campground. Notice that the trail is cut into the side of the mountain. Don't even think of falling, as the loose shale affords little traction and the grade is at least 45%; not shown very well by the photo. In the extreme right-hand corner, a peek of Death Valley can be seen.

Photo: After nearly falling off the trail, due to loose shale that I slipped on, I think it's time to take a break and take a self-portrait. There were no other hikers around, so I simply plopped my trusty Canon AE-1 on a rock, set the self-timer, and let 'er rip. Here I am, sitting in the middle of the trail. Boy, that shale is loose! For some reason, I chose to pack a 35mm camera on this trip rather to a digital camera, and these photos are scanned from prints, hence the sometimes lesser-quality.

Photo: When I'm hiking, I never cease to be amazed, and notice, the natural flowers, vegetation and weeds. Here cactus grows out of the rocks at the 9000 foot-level on the trail to Arcane Meadows. How these guys survive the winter snow is beyond me; I guess you have to ask God the for answers.

Photo: I'm climbing the steep trail, I glace over my shoulder to the east, and not the steep trail that I've just crossed. Don't even think of falling in this section, as the shale affords little traction, and you'll slide down the 45% slopes and will have a difficult, if not impossible, time to regain the trail. However, not to scare you, just take care, watch your step and have a good time.

Photo: Nearing the summit of Arcane Meadows, if you look to the north, you can see Telescope Peak. Telescope was my goal, but due to leg injuries I sustained, I only made it as far as Arcane Meadows. Anyway you look at it, the Panamint Mountains afford an awesome hike!

Photo: Arcane Meadows is reached, as noted by the impromptu rock cairn at the 9623 foot level. Looking east, yes, that's Death Valley and Badwater Basin.

But wait; the view! It's gourgous! You have a bird's eye view of Death Valley and you can clearly see into Badwater Basin. If you like to take pictures, the possibilities are endless.

Photo: A quick look north from Arcane Meadows toward the saddle that separates it from Telescope Peak. It's still a long four miles to Telescope Peak, which can be seen in the upper left-hand cornor of the photo. Note the alpine vegetation; jeffery pines, bristlecone pines and sagebrush. Elevation here is a little over 9600 feet. From this location, you can see the high Sierras to the west, and Badwater Basin, in Death Valley to the east. Truly, a spectaculor view.

Photo: Looking west from Arcane Meadows, you can barely make out Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the continental U.S. in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, about 60 miles to the west. Note the stunted Jeffery Pines which grow in the higher elevations of the Panamint Range.

Photo: From Arcane Meadows, elevation 9623 feet as measured by my GPS, I'm looking into Badwater Basin in Death Valley, which is about 282 feet below sea level. That's quite an elevation drop from my vantage point. From Arcane Meadows, you can see Mt. Whitney to the west, the highest mountain in the continental U.S., and look to the east to view Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in North America. Truly a unique experience!

However, this trail is narrow and tretcherous. I was manourving myself into position to snap a photo of a dead juniper tree when I slipped on a piece of loose shale (there's lots of it), lost my balance and started to fall. I was fortunate as I was able to grab hold of a branch from a nearby mountain mahogany tree and hold on. However, in the process, I pulled a muscle in the back of my left leg. Ouch!

Photo: How can I not resist having my photo snapped as I hug a beautiful woman? This lovely young girl, Helga, and her husband, were visiting the U.S. from Belgium. They were fasinated that I carried a pistol and displayed it openly. I let them shoot it a few times, then we shared a few beers together. What a nice way to unwind, after a hike to Arcane Meadows. I never miss the opportunity to hug a beautiful woman! The husband took the photo, at Mahogany Flat campground, at the 8133 foot level in the Panamint Mountains.

Note the pinyon pines and mountain mahogany in the background; common vegetation at the 8133 foot level at Mahogany Flat campground.

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