Tim Seaver
Well-known member
A short trail-less run/scramble ( photo scouting) over two lovely buttes overlooking Death Valley.
From Hell's Gate I saw a faint footpath about 1/2 mile away snaking up the foot of the lowest (1st) butte, and headed straight for it from the Hell's Gate pulloff ( coming from Beatty, NV) across mostly open/scrubby desert. (A windy dust storm was brewing in the valley, which kind of put the brakes on wildflower photography for the afternoon.)
The footpath quickly gains the ridgeline over steep, loose rocks and scree, and more or less stays on the ridgeline to the summit of the first butte. The fragrance of desert wildflowers is very strong right now in the park- it smells very much like a floral shop but with spicy sage-like notes - heavenly! The route then drops steeply down to a rolling saddle before the much steeper ascent of the second butte, which sports a Matterhorn-like summit. The route now winds through more loose rock and lovely shattered chocolate boulders, with a few exposed scurries through notches in the ridgeline ( a bit like the Knife's Edge on Katahdin, perhaps?) Golden Evening Primrose, Rock Daisy, and Notch Leaf Phacelia are everywhere, with an occasional barrel cactus.
About 45 minutes up, 1/2 hour down as a trail run - it would be a great easy dayhike if you have a few hours to spare, and you will most likely have the buttes to yourself...and the view of the Valley is one of the best in the park.
From Hell's Gate I saw a faint footpath about 1/2 mile away snaking up the foot of the lowest (1st) butte, and headed straight for it from the Hell's Gate pulloff ( coming from Beatty, NV) across mostly open/scrubby desert. (A windy dust storm was brewing in the valley, which kind of put the brakes on wildflower photography for the afternoon.)
The footpath quickly gains the ridgeline over steep, loose rocks and scree, and more or less stays on the ridgeline to the summit of the first butte. The fragrance of desert wildflowers is very strong right now in the park- it smells very much like a floral shop but with spicy sage-like notes - heavenly! The route then drops steeply down to a rolling saddle before the much steeper ascent of the second butte, which sports a Matterhorn-like summit. The route now winds through more loose rock and lovely shattered chocolate boulders, with a few exposed scurries through notches in the ridgeline ( a bit like the Knife's Edge on Katahdin, perhaps?) Golden Evening Primrose, Rock Daisy, and Notch Leaf Phacelia are everywhere, with an occasional barrel cactus.
About 45 minutes up, 1/2 hour down as a trail run - it would be a great easy dayhike if you have a few hours to spare, and you will most likely have the buttes to yourself...and the view of the Valley is one of the best in the park.
