It’s mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. –Anon
March 29, 2015
Ridge above Hannupah Canyon to below Tuber Canyon Lower Spring
14.5 very long miles – 5,000′ elevation gain and 8,000′ down
Well this was one long and strenuous day, but super rewarding.
The air was cooler the higher we climbed up to Telescope Peak. The cross-country route is steep, of course, through brush, talus, and rocks. It is an interesting transition from the stark desert to alpine mountains in so short of miles.
We celebrated at the top with a high-five and quickly started the 8,000 foot descent into Tuber Canyon.
It grew hotter on the descent and we were glad we hauled 6 liters of water out of Hannupah Spring, because the spring in Tuber Canyon seemed to be dry. The canyon took way longer than we anticipated, even though we were warned ahead of time that the mileage on the maps might be a bit off. Down through the canyon wild burros have made convenient use trails to follow and rattlesnakes abound.
Because of the heat and hoping to get much closer to our next water cache at Miretta Road, we decided to hike a couple hours into the night. The alarm is set for 4:00 am tomorrow morning.
What We Did or Wish We Did:
-Wear pants or some kind of leg protection up the ridge and in Tuber Canyon.
-Until our drought is over in California, don’t count on water in Tuber Canyon unless you are willing to dig.
-When the Trona-Wildrose Road is open again, stash water there. If not where the route meets Miretta Road in Panamint Valley worked great.
I love how you find heart stones wherever you go. What a wonderful blog this is: thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
Fyi The wildrose trona road was quite passable last spring in 2 wheel drive high clearance.
Beat to it but that looked like the longest snake ever or a pile of em’. Very nice photos, as always. You make most of us and our point-n-shoot camera’s look so bad. But good for us I say! -Lots and lots of elevation, you two are rippin’!
Is this actual TWO rattlesnakes? So I see one head but two rattles?
YES, good eye. Two rattlesnakes doing their thing. They separated shortly after. We didn’t stick around to take more pics. The rattlesnakes are Panamint Rattlesnakes.
I’m afraid of rattlesnakes !!!
You would not like this trip. 🙂 We saw many snakes that we did not take pics of. They were all different sizes and types. :0
Sounds like such a journey! I love seeing all the beautiful photos. And wow – I hope you weren’t really that close to the snake!
Elise!
Telephoto is my friend!!!!!! I quickly backed away after taking the photo.
Awesome pictures as usual. What an adventure. -GoalTech
Thank you GoalTech.