| Ref: Hiking Western Death Valley Nat. Park
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Visiting the former mining community of Darwin, population was 36 in 2020.
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Hike:
RT 5.0 (including Darwin Peak); 1.25 up. After a laborious 18-hour
ascent of Mount Whitney, we decided to relax and warm our bones in
Death Valley. We stayed at Panamint Springs, keeping busy hiking in the
vicinity. One of our hikes took us to the nearby town of Darwin. Ophir
Mountain is a small peak that stands right above the former mining
community. It is generally considered an easy hike that can be
approached from the town or from service roads north of the objective;
we chose the latter, combining it with an ascent of neighbouring Darwin
Peak. The summit offers phenomenal views across the Darwin Hills,
Panamint Valley, and the Coso Range. The surrounding area is pocked
with numerous abandoned mines and mining shafts; these add interest to
otherwise monotonous hiking. Before starting our hike, we drove around
Darwin and met interesting characters. After our visit there, we drove
out to the access road. We parked along the paved road; however, any
SUV with good tires can continue along the gravel road to cut some
mileage. The service road was freshly graded; we hiked casually,
climbing towards the objective until we located a crude trail that
ascends the eastern aspect of the mountainside. The ridge to the summit
was surprisingly rocky, granting fun hiking. We enjoyed a delightful
break before setting our eyes on Darwin Peak.
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Silver and lead discovery led to the founding of a settlement in 1874.
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Ophir Mountain (left) beyond the mine site.
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We parked on the main road and started hiking the well-graded gravel road.
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Any vehicle could drive this road; but we didn't want to risk a flat with our worn tires.
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Looking back at Darwin Peak.
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The road gives way to a trail leading to the ridge.
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Signs of prospecting.
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Malpais Mesa Wilderness to the north-west. |
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Olancha Peak looms over the Coso Range Wilderness to the west.
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The southern view features Maturango Peak, and Darwin below. |
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Mount Whitney is visible from here.
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To the east, Telescope Peak juts over the Argus Range.
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North-eastern view with Panamint Butte (left) and Pinto Peak on the right; highway 190 to Stovepipe Wells runs in between. |
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Continue
on to Darwin Peak
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| Back
to home page
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