47.35 Corkscrew Peak, Death Valley, California, just a few miles from Nevada. Some screwy...um...scary moments.

A reward at the top.
The sights might not be as colorful as in other places. The mountain shapes and size might not win many prizes although we found some very attractive views. However, the challenge presented by this hike, relatively short in relation to an elevation gain of over 3,300 feet, made it memorable. Jen conceded that's it's a top-ten winner. While it's less than 8 miles return, some of the slopes were impossibly steep and slippery. On at least one occasion, when we looked up high, it seemed that a person could easily 'fall off the mountain' for want of a better expression although it did seem most apt.

Corkscrew is part of Death Valley although it slumbers outside of one of the entrances. From the peak, it provides wonderful views of Mesquite Flats, a favorite place to play on sand dunes as well as the salt flats. The only other person we saw on the mountain was Monica, a young woman we met on the saddle where we had returned from the peak to partake of brunch. Being out there on her own on a rather treacherous path displayed a lot of courage. Impressive. 

The commencement point, although shot taken on our return.

In the beginning, viewing a point below the peak. No peak is easy no matter how obvious it appears. An important facet is the eye misses much between the socket and the end point. The elevation gain is 3,300 feet, distance 3.75 miles (one-way) and elevation for last 1.75 miles is 1,700 feet per mile.

In doing something a little different from the usual, we'll show a few sequential scenes along the way up. We qualify it by stating that at each stage the camera could not capture the very steep slopes...seldom does. 

Because I know Jenni extremely well, and vice versa, that stance indicates: "You've gotta be kidding. Position after 2 miles into the hike."

Apparently, she accepted what her eyes saw and moved up. The peak, typically, is beyond the high point in view.

Hmm! Coming down this section proved to be nearly treacherous, the slope before it was the real thing...treacherous.

If you going to cry out for Mom, this would be as good a time as any. Getting close.

A little fun as we return from the peak and take brunch.
As a Texan might exclaim, "How dem slopes!"
 

Triumph...now we have to get down.

Mesquite Flats, the dunes of the park, are reward sighting from the peak.

Some color, shapes and rugged terrain.

The illusionist and his window. The only illusions are the ones he has in his head.

  

A while ago, we decided, well, one of us did, that Coke Zero was not necessarily a good thing to be drinking and I was experiencing a certain malady. Jen did not share that feeling but she did cut her intake voluntarily. I ceased drinking the 'stuff' altogether. After 20 months of abstinence, we purchased Coca Cola stock. Not wishing to be hypocrites, we decided that it wasn't right to expect other people to drink Coke and keep the stock price buoyant. Reluctantly, we resumed drinking it. 

However, we rationalized that we needed to be eating more fruit, not wishing to suffer from scurvy. To this end we began eating lemons and limes. We would put the fruit in the Coke and it became a healthy drink. We thought this quite smart in our minds although we hoped our bodies felt the same way. 

Our intake of Coke increased substantially and of course, fruit. Who wants to be that healthy? Again we decided to cut down our intake of Coke Zero which we did. We humbly submit this shows much self-control. You may ask "how did you manage to go 'cold-turkey' so easily?" It wasn't that difficult. We drink less Coke and make up the difference with Pepsi. 

And you thought we were just pretty faces!

A harsh region but still attractive.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey