I finally went on my first dedicated photo trip since I went to Alaska 3.5 years ago - my first solo backpacking excursion - in Death Valley. Lessons learned: 1) study routes better - I had planned on hiking out of Ashford Canyon up to the Desert Hound mine but couldn't find a way up, 2) my version on iOS the GPS app (Gaia GPS) doesn't work in airplane mode, 3) don't camp in sand, 4) anchor your tent better - had to chase it bounding down a slope in a sandstorm.
But I still had a blast. They got a ton of rain this winter and the flowers are going crazy right now.
My campsite the first night after failing to scale my way out of Ashford Canyon. It had been overcast - total dumb luck the ravine I was in was pointing at a nice sunset.
Sunset from my ravine in Ashford Canyon
Desert Gold is everywhere in the southern part of Death Valley right now
Desert Sand Verbana
Desert Gold
My tent which turned into a wind tunnel/sandstorm right after the sun went down
Waiting for a big purple sunset like the previous two nights, which never really came, but I liked the sunstar pics I got beforehand
I can't decide if I like this one better w/o the big sun ring
Or this one with the big ring
Photographers at Zabreiske point just after dawn
I took a side trip to Mohave Preserve for sunset
Sunset over Mohave Preserve