5 Days in Death Valley

[DoWork]

Those are some beautiful pics. Like Fjamming said, what kind of camera?

[Tankota]

komombo previously said:

.... with a strange but friendly park ranger on the premises (he has a lawn and a sprinkler system, which seems so amusing within the harsh setting).

That's Lizard Lee... He's been caretaker of the springs for ages, keeps the whole place nice and clean.. He's a bit diffrent with the springs "locals" that he knows.. strangers he has to keep a wary eye on to make sure they don't trash the place or cause problems. If you do stay there he won't mind a "donation" to help purchase cleaning supplies and stuff for the camp. I'm trying to get back out there in the next month or so before it gets too hot.

One of the best times there was last year during a winter storm, we sat in the hot tubs at the middle springs while it rained, had most of the place to our selves with awesome views..

Saline Valley, FJ Cruiser, and Winter Storm. photo - David Ian Hale photos at pbase.com

[volhoo]

Great shots and trail report, thanks, I need to make this trip myself...

[MountainMan]

right on! good report, thanks for sharing the pics

[wesco]

wow! nice pics great adventure!!! there some folks here on the forums heading out this month april 5, mojave road (UPHILL) is the lead planner

[Teotwaki]

Thanks for posting up the good pictures1 makes me want to get back there (but so many places, so little time!!)

[sdgator]

I shot them with a Nikon D40. The Mojave trip is definitely on my radar next. Too bad I can't make this one...

[komombo]

Tankota previously said:

That's Lizard Lee... He's been caretaker of the springs for ages, keeps the whole place nice and clean.. He's a bit diffrent with the springs "locals" that he knows.. strangers he has to keep a wary eye on to make sure they don't trash the place or cause problems. If you do stay there he won't mind a "donation" to help purchase cleaning supplies and stuff for the camp. I'm trying to get back out there in the next month or so before it gets too hot.

One of the best times there was last year during a winter storm, we sat in the hot tubs at the middle springs while it rained, had most of the place to our selves with awesome views..

Saline Valley, FJ Cruiser, and Winter Storm. photo - David Ian Hale photos at pbase.com

I wish I knew that before we walked in on him. We had two children and one dog with us, and we talked to him for a little bit before we headed out to the spring pools. Lizard Lee was a little leery though, and it may have had something to do with the hot tubbin' part. The little 5 year old girl said as we were leaving: "Mommy mommy, I think I saw his toosh" and giggled loudly. We were laughing for a long time after that. Pool Lizard Lee, he just wasn't expecting visitors in August. We had one great time there though, it was so esoteric of an experience precisely because we saw no one in Death Valley, not one single vehicle for the three days we spent between Ballarat and the time we hit the pavement on the other side of the desert (near Bishop).

I cannot imagine how beautiful it would be if I was there in a rain storm. Your picture is absolutely beautiful, thanks for posting.
Kal.

[Tankota]

Yeah, there is the naked factor with the springs.. LOL..

He's really cool, just takes some warming up.. He's been living there like 20-30 years now I think.. I don't think the regulars are too happy with the increased traffic the springs have gotten over the last 10 years as more and more SUV's have made there way out there. When we go we try and respect that, if we have a large group we make sure we camp away from them so as to not bother them, but still enjoy the place.. just watch out for the "bare" crossing. I've been there when the whole place is packed, and other times we have had the whole place to just us (and Lee)

[Fjamming]

David, you have some incredible landscapes. Breathtaking!