Can this truly be Death Valley? We left Ash Meadows Sat. morning with a quiet steady rain which didn't disappear when we reached the valley floor. Note the water running along and across this main north-south route. Here we are below sea level. 
Being intrepid (or is that stupid?), we continued to the Tucki Canyon, up over the pass at 4900 ft. elevation and down the other side .6 miles to the Tucki Mine. Snow was forecast to 5000 ft elevation so there was a good chance that we would see snow. Look at the size of the flakes!
Truck remnants from active mining days.
On the return trip we took a sidetrip up Sheep Canyon to see this beautiful arch.
The Nova Formation. A handy shelter from the weather, if needed.
Once back down to lower elevation and out on the road we found that the park service had closed the road back down to Stovepipe Wells. Fortunately it was "dummy locked" and I opened the gate for Vic and closed it behind us. We continued back down to the valley and towards home.
Hmmmm, this is getting serious.
The following day we read that this wash is the drainage for an area 4.3 square miles in size. It was just beginning to work up a head os steam.
As Paul Harvey says, "Here's the rest of the story"........upon arrival at Stovepipe Wells, we were stopped by park police to tell us that we could not continue further. The road was closed due to a few feet of mud and debris that had washed across beyond there. He was quick to agree that the Jeep would not have a problem - but rules are rules. 
Being intrepid (or is that stupid?), we continued to the Tucki Canyon, up over the pass at 4900 ft. elevation and down the other side .6 miles to the Tucki Mine. Snow was forecast to 5000 ft elevation so there was a good chance that we would see snow. Look at the size of the flakes!
Truck remnants from active mining days.
And mine shacks
Cottontop or Mohave Redhead cactus with snow.
On the return trip we took a sidetrip up Sheep Canyon to see this beautiful arch.
The Nova Formation. A handy shelter from the weather, if needed.
Once back down to lower elevation and out on the road we found that the park service had closed the road back down to Stovepipe Wells. Fortunately it was "dummy locked" and I opened the gate for Vic and closed it behind us. We continued back down to the valley and towards home.
Hmmmm, this is getting serious.
The following day we read that this wash is the drainage for an area 4.3 square miles in size. It was just beginning to work up a head os steam.
As Paul Harvey says, "Here's the rest of the story"........upon arrival at Stovepipe Wells, we were stopped by park police to tell us that we could not continue further. The road was closed due to a few feet of mud and debris that had washed across beyond there. He was quick to agree that the Jeep would not have a problem - but rules are rules.
Although home was less than 1.5 hours away, first to the south and then east, our detour would take us first to the west --- way west. That was at 4:30pm. We rolled in here safely at 10:30pm with a dinner of oranges, dried fruit, nuts and jerky. There is a reason that we carry survival food and this is it.
Today, Monday the 9th, most of Death Valley is still closed for mud, debris, flooding, snow or ice. The road we needed to get home is now the only one open.
Furnace Creek, the official reporting station in the valley, gets on average from 1-2" of rain per year. Saturday they had 1.23" and since July 1, 2008 they have had 2.07".
Our grandson Dan is flying in on Weds. At least some of my plans for Death Valley destinations will have to change. He certainly will see it differently than it has been seen in a number of years. The best laid plans......
