Into the Furnace

16.09.2017

Waiting for the sun at the loop

Today started out as an extension of yesterday. I was up at 6:30 and out the door by 6:45. After a quick stop at Starbucks I was off to the Tehachapi Loop. The morning was cool and overcast, but felt refreshing. I parked the Mini in the official paved parking area and then hiked up the road several hundred feet to to a dirt road. I was told by a local that I could just walk around the chain stretched across the road and hike out to a hill overlooking “the loop”.

The sun peaks through the clouds

I think I found one of the nicer vantage points for watching trains navigate the loop. From the top of the ridge I could see both directions, up and down the tracks. I found a convenient rock to perch on and sat back with my coffee to wait for trains. A half hour passed and no trains. 45 minutes and no trains. I got up and explored the hilltop and still no trains. I had to be back to meet Karen before 9:00 if I wanted breakfast. Time was running out, then from the tracks up above I heard a train.

By now I had scouted some good vantage points, so I rushed to my chosen spot and started photographing. As the train got closer I moved to several different vantage points. I shot upwards of 50 pictures as the train finally disappeared. I then made the ten minute hike back to the Mini and rushed back to town. I made it just in time for breakfast.

BNSF getting close to Tehachapi Loop

Starting around the loop

It just keeps coming

Crossing over the tunnel

A complete loop now

Around the backside

By mid-morning we were on the road again. This time headed for Death Valley. Most of the drive is through what I think is the Mohave Dessert. After a while it became quite boring. I have to say that these California drivers don’t make it easy. They’re mostly crazy. We came to the turn-off for Death Valley and Panamint Springs. Only 45 more miles, Ugh! So up over mountains and negotiating the curvy roads with the crazy California drivers and we were at our destination.

Rainbow Canyon

Picnic lunch at Panamint Springs

For the rest of the day we explored Death Valley. The deeper we got into the valley, the hotter it got. We actually went hiking in 102 degree heat. Of course we had plenty of water, sun screen, and our hats. We made three short hikes in the mid-day heat then headed for cooler temps and dinner back in Panamint Springs.

Mesquite Flats Dunes