Blog | Death Valley Snow: Emigrant Pass

Death Valley Snow: Emigrant Pass

After camping at the Wildrose campsite on Saturday night, Penelope and I hit the road around 8 A.M. We took Emigrant Pass into Death Valley. On our way in we passed a ranger on the snow-covered road. I waved, he nodded and that was that.

Later on we discovered that the road we were on was actually closed, he was headed in to lock the gate on the other side! I'm guessing he saw our vehicle and wasn't worried. The road was beautiful. There was about six inches of snow covering the pavement and the ground was white as far as the eye could see. It was really amazing.

We took a side trip to Skidoo mine. We made it about 5 of the 10 miles when we decided to turn around. We were driving through three foot deep snow drifts on a steep, narrow mountain road with sheer cliffs off to the side. We had chains, but didn't need them as we weren't slipping at all, but I decided it just wasn't worth the risk so we turned around at a great lookout point.

Emigrant Pass in Death Valley Covered in Snow

Emigrant Pass is covered with snow after a big snowstorm the night before.

Snow Covered Death Valley, Penelope and FJ Cruiser

Penelope stands next to our trusty Toyota FJ Cruiser on Emigrant Pass road.

Dave and Penelope on Snow Covered Emigrant Pass

Penelope and I stand next to our trusty Toyota FJ Cruiser on Emigrant Pass road.

View of Snowy Death Valley from Skidoo Lookout

The view from the Skidoo lookout is amazing.

FJ Cruiser on Snowy Skidoo Road in Death Valley

Our FJ Cruiser waits patiently for more snow travel on Skidoo Road.

Skidoo Road Covered in Snow in Death Valley

The road to Skidoo Mine is covered with roughly eight inches of snow and up to three foot drifts in places.

Penelope on Skidoo Road Lookout in Death Valley

Penelope sits atop a rock at the Skidoo Mine lookout, five miles from the mine.

Snowy Mine Headframe on Skidoo Road in Death Valley

A wooden headframe is covered with snow near the beginning of Skidoo Mine road.

FJ Cruiser on Snowy Skidoo Road in Death Valley

Our footprints lead away from our FJ Cruiser on an offshoot of the Skidoo Mine road.

Snowy Mine Headframe on Skidoo Road in Death Valley

A snow-covered headframe near Skidoo Mine road has been recently reinforced.

Emigrant Pass in Death Valley Covered in Snow

Emigrant Pass is covered in snow as seen from the Skidoo Mine road.

Skidoo Road Covered in Snow in Death Valley

Our tracks lead off to Emigrant Pass road on the Skidoo Mine road.

Tire Tracks in the Snow in Death Valley

The FJ Cruisers tracks cut through the snow into the sand on Skidoo Road

Emigrant Pass in Death Valley Covered in Snow

Bushes and plants are covered with thick snow above Emigrant Pass in Death Valley.

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Saturday, February 13th, 2010 at 10:13th:11 AM

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