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Artist’s Dips Canyon
Death Valley, California
April 13, 2018
Distance: 6.2 km (3.9 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 223 m (732 ft)
When we drove to Death Valley, we were dead set on climbing Coffin Mountain, so when we discovered the access road was closed, we were caught flatfooted: we had no backup plan.
Since we had no idea what to do, we drove to the visitor centre in Furnace Creek. After browsing through a few guidebooks, we found a nearby hike that looked short but interesting. We bought the book and drove to the starting point on Artist Drive.
Artist Drive passes Artist Palette, a colourful volcanic area that attracts tourists, but our hike began a few kilometres south. The guidebook calls the hike “Artist's Dips,” which isn't very informative so I added “Canyon.” Actually, the hike comprises two canyons that merge downstream: hike down one canyon, turn right, and hike up the other. A short section of paved road completes the loop. Signs on the road warn of dips where the road crosses two washes. These are the entrances that lead to the two canyons. We parked at a pullout between the dips.
We walked south down the road and entered a wash at the south dip. As we hiked down the wash, the sides rose and the floor narrowed to form a canyon. Where the first canyon converges with the second, I stopped to take a panorama. Then we turned right and followed the second canyon to the road. Both canyons exhibit a pleasing variety of scenery and colours.
After completing the hike, we got back in our car and drove to Artist's Palette. Photos on the Internet would have you believe the slopes are bursting with brilliant colours. In fact, those photos have been doctored, the colours exaggerated. In reality, the pinks, greens and purple appear pale. And while it's a worthwhile stop, we had a far better experience hiking Artist’s Dips.
Starting down the wash
Looking back
Curiously, we came across broken pavement, the remains of an old road
The wash begins to narrow ahead
Entering the canyon
Telescope Peak still has snow
The sides of the canyon were mostly hard dirt rather than rock
At times the canyon walls rose high above us
The canyon snakes for a short distance
The canyon forks ahead
Where the two canyons merge, one can see clear down to Badwater Basin. It's time to turn right.
We started up the ascent canyon
The canyon narrows
We easily climbed the highest dry falls on the route
The walls here are streaked with a different colour of dirt
Dinah scrambles up another short dry fall
We marvelled at rocks that seemed to have little holding them in place in this wall
Looking back at the wall with loose rock
Dark rock lines a side canyon
This stunted, broken tree apparently survived repeated floods
While all other plants in the canyon appeared dead or clinging to life, this one was thriving
Coming to the end of our canyon walk
Looking back
Back on the road
It's a 500-metre walk back to our car
Artist's Palette
Devil's Golf Course (3.9 mi, 230 ft, 673 ft)