Sunday morning we headed over to Stovepipe Wells and the sand dunes to take part in a ranger-led walk on the dunes. It was a little breezy when we left the refuge and became more so on the drive. It wasn't too bad as long as we stayed in a sheltered area. You can see the sand blowing in the background.
We gave up on the idea of dune photography and went on to Twenty-Mule Team Canyon where there are many mines and interesting formations.
Our path to one of the mines begins here....
The path went down, crossed the wash then climbed again to this narrow, winding ledge.
The ledge behind me....
and ahead to where my fearless leader awaits.
Imagine carting your equipment on these narrow ledges to excavate and explore, all in hope of finding a vast fortune. Winters were cold and miserable and summers incomparable with temperatures that soared above 120F regularly.
Packrats make their nests/burrows in the sand under the vegetation, often creosote bushes. As their name imples they "collect" things and hide them in their homes. When excavated it is found that they have a penchant for shiny objects. 
Blowing sand is not a particularly comfortable environment and the 90-minute tour and talk of the dunes was shortened considerably.
We gave up on the idea of dune photography and went on to Twenty-Mule Team Canyon where there are many mines and interesting formations.
Our path to one of the mines begins here....
The path went down, crossed the wash then climbed again to this narrow, winding ledge.
The ledge behind me....
and ahead to where my fearless leader awaits.
Imagine carting your equipment on these narrow ledges to excavate and explore, all in hope of finding a vast fortune. Winters were cold and miserable and summers incomparable with temperatures that soared above 120F regularly.
