Heading north from Furnace Creek in our Toyota FJ Cruiser our destination for the day was the Race Track. It was nice to get away from the main tourist center of Death Valley. Heading north we first stopped at Harmony Borax work where one of the of the 20 Mule Team Borax wagons is parked.   They were some tough mule skinners that ran these wagon trains through the hot dry expanses of Death Valley.

Heading to Titus Canyon we left the park taking the Beatty Cutoff to the Daylight Pass Road. The Titus Canyon Road is one way heading west. The road took us over Red Pass and then descended into the town site of Leadville. Leadville was a short lived attempt at a new mining community. There are a few old building left that provide a good photo opportunity.

After Leadville we entered the Titus Canyon narrows. This is a fun section of road that descends down the canyon and is the reason for the one way designation. The canyon abruptly ends and descends an alluvial fan back down to the main North/ South route.

Our next stop was Scotty’s Castle, quite a wonder to be found in one of the hottest places in the US. What people will do to satisfy there whims is quite spectacular.  After a quick lunch in the parking lot it was off towards the Race Track.

A stop at Ubehebe crater showed the volcanic legacy of Death Valley. On another trip when we do not have the dogs along we will have to hike to the bottom. After a quick photo of LJ at the rim of the crater it was off to the Race Track.

Heading up Race Track Valley we where once again  on the torturous wash board of Death Valley.  We now had a chance to catch our first site of the Joshua Trees. Joshua Trees are a type of Yucca and make a unique view as they spread across the valley.

The Wash board finally took its toll on the FJ as I felt the drive change. Pulling to the side of the track I found the bold had come out of one of the lower shock mounts and the shock had slipped off the mount. A short walk back down the road and I found the bolt and mount skid lying in the road. A short spin with the socket wrench and what could have been larger problem was fixed.

Teakettle Junction shows the eccentric nature of Death Valley with folks that pass through leaving  teakettles hanging on the sign posts. During our stop we could see a a cloud of dust coming up the valley towards us. The dust makes an easy way to see others coming up the track.

Finally arriving at the Race Track we chose to visit the following morning and headed to the Hardscrable Dry Camp.

 Additional Death Valley Photos

Death Valley Day 4 Google KML File

 

Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7