2nd Hike to Darwin Falls…

As you may recall, my brother Dan & I hiked up the Darwin Falls valley a few weeks ago but he slipped and fell on rocks and broke his crown so he was bleeding all over the place. We were only 200 feet or so from the actual falls, but did he want to continue on??! NOOOO. Big baby. Anyway, we turned back, got him some bandages, a couple beers, dinner, and then went to our separate homes. Him in Rosamond, California, me to Pahrump, Nevada where I live in my beautiful RV with my cat. This was a day hike for both of us but we each had a 2.5 hour drive from our respective homes, which meant that it was not to be an everyday thing. Here’s a reminder of the mere scratch he had that made us turn back.

‘Tis but a scratch I tell ya.

Anyway, we decided to turn back but I wanted to get all the way up to the falls, so a couple weeks later, I gave him a call and asked if he was up for it again. But nope, he says, not with the broken finger. Okay, but I am going to make it up there myself. Can’t just get within 200 feet, turn back and not try again. So on April 9th, I drove back over, and was soon again at the trailhead.

I tried to recall where I’d taken pictures during the last hike and avoid taking them again so as to keep the boring level down somewhat. Well, phooey, too much work doing a back and forth comparison so I’ll just post away so there might be some duplication with the last article. Anyway, here we go up the canyon again. I’ll avoid posting the first part of the hike where there is a dry wash for several hundred yards and start it as we enter this copse of trees.

Kinda cool trail, not too hard. I didn’t have walking sticks with me but I did bring my cane. That did help on occasion when climbing and did get me some undeserved pity and offer to help from a hiker or two. Didn’t need any help but appreciated the gesture.

And here’s one of the difficult sections when I did need a cane. And this is where Dan fell. Stepping near where that child in the yellow is stepping. He first fell forward as his feet slipped out behind his body and slammed his face into the edge of the rock face, than tumbled backwards down that small ravine and ended up face first in that patch of reeds at the bottom. Head down so he’d flipped over during the fall. I was right behind him at the time but it happened so suddenly, and it’s so steep there, I couldn’t even grab his shirt he was gone so quickly. I’m on the other side when I took this picture as I took the other spur of the trail and this path crossed over and I carefully climbed up that section using my cane.

After that section the trail is very easy in several places, like here.

These nice folks offered me a drink, I wished I’d taken it.

Climbing down this side of one of the small staircase style trail sections was a bit dicey but I made it okay. Rocky, gravely, with fine dirt. Everything loose, dangerous footing for those with bad knees or poor balance. See those two guys down below on the trail? This is the section I avoided on the way back by taking the alternate route.

And here we go. The actual Darwin Falls. Flows all year. Not as big as I had imagined.

The trail ends for most day hikers right here, but there is a sneak path on the left where you can climb a strenuous section on the rocks and make it further upstream to explore. I chose not to do that. And wouldn’t you know it, a few days after my hike, the LA news had a report of a couple that got lost around here somewhere nearby and had to be rescued.

I did follow the trail over to the other side of the creek and climb up on the left side of the falls. There is a semi-improved trail over there but mostly you’re clamoring over rocks.

Here’s a shot of the rocks weeping a bit of moisture from what appears to be a spring.

And over there to the right are the falls again.

And now it’s time to head back after an hour of just enjoying the falls, the canyon, the ambiance. Here’s a look back down the canyon from a high spot on the rock cliff.

Before I left the canyon, I took a video…it starts at the left of the falls and slowly pans around into the canyon below. Not as spectacular as some canyons with falls, but the hike was fun and the falls are kinda unique as they’re in Death Valley. Make sure you turn down the sound to less than 25% as I often forget to put my finger over the mic and it’s very sensitive to wind noise.

And that’s it. There was that one place on the way back down the trail where I opted to avoid climbing that steep return trail and instead took a side spur and ended up sliding down a slippery green rock on my butt. That green rock is naturally slippery even when dry. I caught myself just before plunging over the edge. The last 24 inches was a drop that gave me pause due to my knees but I made it alright. And I also avoided the climb on the main route which was rocky staircase up and rocky steep staircase down. The shortcut I took is the obvious choice once you’ve taken it. Going up the trail though, you wouldn’t want to try to jump up on the rock I slid down.

Soon enough, back to the dry canyon portion.
Then on the road back to the main road. Pretty nice weather today. Upper 70’s F.

So I stopped in the restaurant again and guess what!? It is now a Mexican food joint and they’re all new people from last time so there wasn’t a tub filled with ice, water, and beers for $1. And no delicious chicken finger basket with fries. Dammit. Okay, so I paid $3 for the ale on tap. Not bad.

I had what amounts to a Mexican chicken stir fry with rice, refried beans, and a salad like thing with lime. Very good. Really liked the Mexican chicken with their method of spicing. I ate half and took the other half home. Took all three of the excellent hot sauces after they gave me 3 tiny plastic cups for them.

So that’s it. My reprise of the Darwin Falls hike. The only flowing year round falls in Death Valley. Pretty cool, enjoyed the adventure. Too bad Dan couldn’t come along.

Thanks for reading. Next time I’ll post…umm, something else. Yeah.