Death Valley Memorial Day 2006

Since first visiting Death Valley in February of 2002 I've had an informal checklist of things I want to do there. Having been back on average about twice a year since , each time I've tried to do something in the park from that list and this time around the plan was specific: to undertake perhaps the most arduous aspect of Death Valley: the hike to the top of the park's 11,049-foot Telescope Peak. It's not at all a technical ascent, but it ain't a stroll in the yard either. At 14 miles round trip over some rugged trail that rises 3,000 oxygen-thinning feet in elevation, it's a dedicated all-day affair. And six hours after starting out, with my wife Susan and friend Rachel waiting for me down at 10,000 feet, I attained the peak higher than I've ever been before be it on my feet or in my heart.

79 photos | 385 views

items are from between 28 May 2006 & 29 May 2006.