Since our timing was a week off for cool weather we were a bit concerned about the heat on our hike. WRONG. This trail starts at about 6,800 feet and it was not hot. In fact, we started to get concerned we'd be cold on the trail. However, with an elevation gain of 2,200 in a little over 4 miles, we managed to stay warm even in the brisk breezes.

Once you reach the top there is a bronze US Geological Survey marker and a notebook to attest you visited the top. The views were just amazing and we'd love to do it again.

These were built in 1876 to provide charcoal for smelting the silver and lead ore. We've seen the remains of other charcoal kilns but these are the best preserved. They sit at the base of the Wildrose Trail so you can't miss them if you take the hike, although one couple did actually manage and were rather chagrined when I asked "you mean those behind you?" Yup, check into tourist mode; leave your brain in idle. We all do it.

After our little 8 mile hike and lots of shots of the kilns, we wanted to climb around an old mine, so the only one we had not done yet was the Eureka Mine.

This sits on the road leading up to Aguereberry Point. Some of the head frame is still standing but most of the structures are gone. The mine itself is a roost for the Townsend big-eared bat and the entrance is closed by a bat friendly gate. Yea for the bats

A nice little drive up the dirt road from the Eureka Mine brings you to Aguereberry Point. I am still not sure why they gave it Mr. Aguereberry's name, but they did. The drive is fun and the views are nice, but I'm not sure there is a reason to go there other than to say you've been to it. Why am I flashing to that old movie "If it's Tuesday it Must be Belgium"?

This is actually a salty creek that flows year round, but pupfish are most visible in spring when they are mating. Pupfish are the last known survivors of what is thought to have been a large ecosystem of fish species that lived in Lake Manly before it dried up at the end of the last ice age. These guys are really, really small - about 2 inches long - so getting shots of them as they're swimming around is not easy.

Darwin Falls is a waterfall located on the western edge of Death Valley National Park near the Panamint Springs area. The Falls are fed by Darwin Creek one of the four perennial streams in the Park. Darwin Falls and Creek are fed by the Darwin Wash, which is in turn fed by the Darwin Bench. OK, enough Darwins.

The walk into the falls begins through a very dry rocky wash which gives way to a path along the Creek that is lined with rushes and willows. You have to cross the water several times, and you might get your feet wet depending on your balance but the falls in the grotto is well worth the trip.

Father Crowley was a priest who ministered to the residents in the 1930's and this was supposedly one of his favorite spots. In appreciation for his work the point was named after him. You do get some great views from up here so it is worth the drive.

Since Ubehebe Crater was a parking site for construction vehicles and the Keane Wonder Mill ann Mine are closed to the public because they are unsafe - falling apart and toxic respectively - we decided to take another walk up Mosaic Canyon. This is just a great place to look at rocks. Conglomerates of stones flow into smoothed sandstone in a very unique way. I'll spare you a geological description (you can view the link if you're curious) and just say it's a must see stop in the park.

Just a couple shots of "stuff" we thought was neat but they really don't fit anywhere.

Sunset at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the road to Pantamint