Death Valley

We were south of you in Joshua Tree NP. The rain came down for 16-18 hours, with winds of 15-65 MPH.

The previous two days we had explored the area, so we just hunkered down and listened to the rain on the roof. We did feel bad about the tenters in the park, but 45 years ago, that was us.

It is a shame about Scott's castle. We were there in March of last year and went on the tour. Fascinating story about one of the greatest con-men of all times. If you get the chance after they re-open, go take the tour.

The total rainfall was .35" and that brings the year total to 2.0" It was a cool experience .35 doesn't sound like much but in Death Valley that was a lot in about 8 hours. Today was super windy on the back side of the storm and our last day. We were supposed to leave today but stayed put one more day. They were calling for 40-50 mph gust over the passes. This is the end of a 20 day trip in So-Cal time to go home for a bit till our next adventure.

oldmattb wrote:
Some people called the recent floods a once in a century event. It is sad for the destruction of the man-made things, but that flooding is what makes valleys, mud flats, salt deposits, hoodoos, etc. I would have loved to see it - imagine one of those boulders as big as a Volkswagen being moved down the wash!

Matt B

Yeah, that would be neat to see AS LONG AS YOU WEREN'T _IN_ THAT WASH, TOO. That's the thing, of course, those of us from less parched lands often do not recognize washes when they are dry. I saw some videos recently of a flash flood coming down a wash near Colorado City, AZ, and it was pretty impressive as that wall of water swept through, followed by floating SUVs, logs, and other debris.

Racetrack Playa

It's supposed to be windy - I wonder if you could see any "sliding rocks"??

Thanks for the pictures! This is one of our destination trips eventually. So many places... only one lifetime to visit them. Maybe next year we'll hit that one.

We were there three weeks ago, great time and I can't wait to go back... if it is not raining. JH :)

Ya, it was raining (lightly) when we were there a few years ago
Neat isn't it

Some people called the recent floods a once in a century event. It is sad for the destruction of the man-made things, but that flooding is what makes valleys, mud flats, salt deposits, hoodoos, etc. I would have loved to see it - imagine one of those boulders as big as a Volkswagen being moved down the wash!

Matt B

Give it a month and it will be a very pretty place with all the desert flowers.

Here is a break we had in the storm