Going to Extremes

Two friendly hikers told us not to miss Mosaic Canyon so today we head there after deciding to abandon our plan to camp another night in Death Valley.  The long drive to the north part of the park discourages us (and we are sun weary).  We long to be in sight of the Sierras again.

Mosaic Canyon is just what the name promises and more.  The wide dry ancient river bed quickly narrows to stunning cliff faces on both sides with a wild jumble of textures and colors caused by the mighty forces of upheaval, water, wind and time.

Wherever you look there are fascinating patterns and textures stratified into the rock faces.

The narrow slot canyons offer lots of challenging obstacles like this one to scramble over and around.

 We encounter 4 or 5 such conundrums but manage to persevere 2 miles into the canyon before meeting the final sheer barrier that convinces us it's time to head back.

While hiking down canyon we come across two gentlemen sitting and resting. Ben notices that one of the pair is carrying a bamboo fly fishing rod. Ben asks him why he was carrying a fishing rod when there are no fish,let alone water, for fifty miles. The hiker explained he had attached a noose to the rod and used it to catch lizards, examine them and then let them go. Evidently the lizards are not fearful of the fishing rod. Who knew...

We drive west out of Death Valley, back over the Panamint Pass which is still harrowing, but just as scenic in the westerly direction.

A quick Google search helps us select Diaz Lake campground, owned by Los Angeles DWP, the mighty nemisis of the Owens Valley.  The campground is basic, but spacious, and we set up camp under 2 leaning trees lake-side.

Our expert fire builders get to work.

Living out of the camper van requires some military-like organization of labor and objects.  I take chief cook duties and fry up a sausage potato hash dinner.

Lisa take KP duty while Ben and John dry dishes and plot card game strategy.

This does them no good as Lisa and I parlay some superior card hands into a decisive victory tonight.

Bedtime is another example of cooperative chaos.  All extra items are stowed, lower bed is  pulled out and made, upper bunk is assembled, sheets tucked in by whatever hands can reach, and then we all muster into place.

Look what we have returned to!  It is a stunning time of year in the Owens Valley.