February 3-4, Death Valley Shoshone to California

 High of 58 and sunny.

Eagle mountain on the way to Death Valley Junction. Eagle mountain is cool because it is a single mountain in the middle of a wide valley. Pyramid mountain.

Judy and Judy coming into Death Valley Junction. They have backpacked 52 miles in the last 4 days. Tonight we all are staying at Death Valley Junction. Judy and James and Judy P walking down the colonnade at the Junction.

Death Valley Junction was built by the borax company as a company town in the 1920's. Marta Becket bought it in the 1960's,  restored it , painted murals. opened the hotel etc and did ballet and opera until she was on her 80's in the opera house that she painted a whole audience on the walls. She is gone now, but the Junction is owned by a non profit. It is packed with history but the non profit is barely hanging on keeping it running, It is in poor shape. We used to come when Marta was dancing  and love the history. Mount Charleston with snow between Pahrump and Las Vegas.

Sunset over Death Valley Junction. A memorial to Marta in front of the hotel.

We brought dinner up, since there is no where to eat. The dining room is covered with murals Marta painted. the walls are flat, all the arches and gardens are painted on. Rain on the mountains on the way back to Shoshone.

Water raging though the Amargosa river. Usually it runs underground in this area. Judy and Judy decided to postpone the next two days of hiking and camping because of the rain, and mud. They will come back to this part when it is drier. They would have had to cross the river numerous ties and all their gear is already wet. So they are here in Shoshone for a few days. River and rain.

Back in Shoshone Jeff is visiting. Jeff and John ahead of me on the trail. Wildflowers.

Wildflowers.

Robbie came by with the dogs for treats tonight.