Death Valley, Part II- Surprise Canyon

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A couple nights after we arrived in Death Valley, we decided to hike up to Panamint City, an old and very abandoned mining town.

This little part of Death Valley is special and very unique.

It is lush and green and full of flowing water.

Our plan was to hike up to the old city, set up camp, and hike down the following morning.

Unlike our Hawaiian adventure (found here, here and here) this was a piece of cake with only a few minor setbacks.

The primary setback being losing our camera somewhere along the trail and Aaron having to retrace our steps to find it.

Annoying, but nothing life and death.

A man standing in front of a rocky mountain

We finally arrived at this eerie ghost town about an hour before sundown.

I was exhausted and all I could think was,

1. My boobs are frozen,

2. Mac n Cheese

Before either of these issue could be solved we had a decision to make-

sleep in the tent outside,

or, sleep in one of the little cabins (which actually had wood burning fireplaces).

We decided to sleep in the cabin-

after all, there was snow on the ground.

Aaron got the fire started and I attended to my frozen boobs.

Here was the problem- I had sweat so much that my sports bra was soaked through.

During lunch, while sitting and working out only my mouth, my body cooled down.

Although we has at least two more hours of hiking after eating lunch, my boobs never warmed up completely.

I was frozen.

So ladies, what did I learn from this?

1. Women have it so much harder than men.

2. Sports bras suck.

3. Hiking in a supportive bathing suit top is best.

A field of grass with trees in the background

We ate as soon as possible,

and got to work setting up or beds.

There was no mattress.

Only a crooked double box spring.

The cabin was infested with little mice, so sleeping on the floor wasn’t an option.

Box spring it would be…

All night, I lay in my sleeping bag listening to the little mice squeak and run across the floor.

The fiance slept like a rock, I did not.

I instantly decided we would stay in a hotel the following night.

And that is exactly what we did!

A man standing on top of a snow covered slope

Sexy

Overall Surprise Canyon was amazing! And I highly recommend taking this little side trip if you ever find yourself spending some time in Death Valley.I warn you- unless you love burning to death, do not even try this hike unless it is the winter time.