John Morrow
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2015
- Messages
- 1,074
A bit late, but I remembered that I forgot to finish my winter desert trip reports!
View from camp below the Dublin Hills at the end of a very windy stormy day.

Sunset in camp Hwy 178 by John Morrow, on Flickr
Cold front came through overnight sending me sightseeing to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Point of Rocks Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr
Afterwards, it got warm enough to scramble High Peak 4037' west of Pahrump, NV.

Stewart Valley Depression by John Morrow, on Flickr

Ash Meadows Range by John Morrow, on Flickr
After a rest in Pahrump, I headed back into the Park for an evening walk up Shoreline Butte in the Valley floor.

Ashford Peak at sunset by John Morrow, on Flickr
One of my favorite camps, when the wind is still, is the Virgin Spring Trailhead access road. A fox visited me.

Curious (or hungry) Kit Fox by John Morrow, on Flickr
Fabulous Virgin Spring Canyon/Lower Trail/Desert Hound Peak 4472'/Desert Hound Trail/Virgin Spring Loop!!!!!
See Digonnet for this one. It is a long day but to have so much scenic trail hiking is a real treat. Scenery, history, geology, in diverse abundance. As far as trails go, this one, and a loop of Keene Mine Trail/Keene Canyon may be my favorite two in the Park thus far!
First, up the Virgin Spring Canyon to the mine at the spring:

Desert Hound Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr

colorful by John Morrow, on Flickr

Virgin Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then up the "Lower Trail" to the Desert Hound Mine. The traverse after the initial climb has gotten indistinct. For a trail builder, it'd be a joy to restore!

A miner's walk by John Morrow, on Flickr

at a divide by John Morrow, on Flickr

The traverse (looking back) by John Morrow, on Flickr

Desert Hound Peak ahead! by John Morrow, on Flickr

Death Valley by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then onto the Desert Hound Trail making its way back into Upper Virgin Spring Canyon:

Desert Hound Trail now! by John Morrow, on Flickr

lovely walking by John Morrow, on Flickr

Trail into Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
And finally back into the canyon for the loop completion back to the trailhead:

too short but pretty by John Morrow, on Flickr

Almost back to main Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

Colors of Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

Nearing the gate at Pt 2142'; by John Morrow, on Flickr

A sunset look NE by John Morrow, on Flickr
Complete photo set here:
www.flickr.com
MAP:

Digonnet's Awesome Route!
View from camp below the Dublin Hills at the end of a very windy stormy day.

Sunset in camp Hwy 178 by John Morrow, on Flickr
Cold front came through overnight sending me sightseeing to Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.

Point of Rocks Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr
Afterwards, it got warm enough to scramble High Peak 4037' west of Pahrump, NV.

Stewart Valley Depression by John Morrow, on Flickr

Ash Meadows Range by John Morrow, on Flickr
After a rest in Pahrump, I headed back into the Park for an evening walk up Shoreline Butte in the Valley floor.

Ashford Peak at sunset by John Morrow, on Flickr
One of my favorite camps, when the wind is still, is the Virgin Spring Trailhead access road. A fox visited me.

Curious (or hungry) Kit Fox by John Morrow, on Flickr
Fabulous Virgin Spring Canyon/Lower Trail/Desert Hound Peak 4472'/Desert Hound Trail/Virgin Spring Loop!!!!!
See Digonnet for this one. It is a long day but to have so much scenic trail hiking is a real treat. Scenery, history, geology, in diverse abundance. As far as trails go, this one, and a loop of Keene Mine Trail/Keene Canyon may be my favorite two in the Park thus far!
First, up the Virgin Spring Canyon to the mine at the spring:

Desert Hound Peak by John Morrow, on Flickr

colorful by John Morrow, on Flickr

Virgin Spring by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then up the "Lower Trail" to the Desert Hound Mine. The traverse after the initial climb has gotten indistinct. For a trail builder, it'd be a joy to restore!

A miner's walk by John Morrow, on Flickr

at a divide by John Morrow, on Flickr

The traverse (looking back) by John Morrow, on Flickr

Desert Hound Peak ahead! by John Morrow, on Flickr

Death Valley by John Morrow, on Flickr
Then onto the Desert Hound Trail making its way back into Upper Virgin Spring Canyon:

Desert Hound Trail now! by John Morrow, on Flickr

lovely walking by John Morrow, on Flickr

Trail into Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr
And finally back into the canyon for the loop completion back to the trailhead:

too short but pretty by John Morrow, on Flickr

Almost back to main Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

Colors of Virgin Spring Canyon by John Morrow, on Flickr

Nearing the gate at Pt 2142'; by John Morrow, on Flickr

A sunset look NE by John Morrow, on Flickr
Complete photo set here:

Death Valley Natl. Pk. South End Dayhikes Dec. 18-20, 2020
1. Ash Meadows NWR, High Peak 4037' 2. Virgin Spring Desert Hound Loop
MAP:

Digonnet's Awesome Route!