Father Crowley Vista Point

This is only one of the many posts relating to our Death Valley adventure. If you would like to see more of what we did on that trip please visit our main Death Valley page.

We left our camping spot in the Alabama Hills by 7am to get an early start before traffic and the heat of the day. Our first stop though was the Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center in Lone Pine so we could confirm any road closures and pick up any maps they would offer us. Since this is an adventure we don’t always know what we want to do or what order we want to do them in. All I knew at that moment was that our main objective was the Geologists’ Cabin and we had a long, difficult drive before we got there. Outside the center there were signs indicating what particular species of plants were and we found a Desert Willow.

sign at base of Desert Willow tree
Tree Named After My Dog. Not Really.

Once we left the ESIVC we began our approach to the Park on Highway 136. About five miles after you pass the town of Keeler Hwy 136 becomes Highway 190. About 15 minutes later you formally enter the Park.

Willow and Tacoma in front of the Death Valley Entrance sign
We Officially Enter the Park

Once you get to the top of the ridge you begin your downward path, twisting and turning towards Panamint Springs on a nice 2-lane road with breath-taking glimpses of the valley floor around almost every turn. Before you reach Panamint Springs though you come across a turnout with a vault toilet and usually some other cars. We have no idea what this is but…Adventure, so let’s go take a look.

Willow in front of the Father Crowley Vista Point Plaque
She Does Not Like Being Posed For Pictures

This overlook is named after Father John J. Crowley, Padre of the desert 1891 – 1940. Among many of his good works over a lifetime of caring for the people of Owens Valley in the hard times after Los Angeles essentially stole the valley’s water he was actually the first priest to ever celebrate mass on top of Mt. Whitney.

Close-Up Of The Plaque At The Parking Lot
Close-Up Of The Plaque At The Parking Lot

We took that picture and walked over to the edge to look down into the wash below. Over to the right was a glimpse of something bigger and (possibly) grander but from where we stood in the parking lot there really was not too much to see. At the end of the parking lot opposite the entrance a little, crappy, rocky road led out towards…something else. There was no sign to say what it led to nor any gate preventing us from heading in that direction so…yes, that’s right, you guessed it, we drove that way. Our tires were not aired down and so the going was slow and harsh. Luckily it was only about a mile or so until we reach the end. And what and end it was,

The Extensive Cairn Near the End of the Road
The Extensive Cairn Near the End of the Road

Past the cairn to the right was the last little bit of road which ended in a turn around looking out over a vast plain of sand and heat. We took the obligatory beauty shot of black dog and white Tacoma first.

Willow and Tacoma sitting as far down the road as you can go
Sitting On the Edge

Our first intro to the vastness which is Death Valley finished we bumped our way back up to the parking lot and got back on the road heading down towards Panamint Springs.

Here’s a freebie LPT (Life Pro Tip): If you can help it and don’t actually need gas then bypass the station in Panamint Springs for any other station within Park boundaries. It is at least a dollar more per gallon than anywhere else in the Park and two dollars more than what is available outside the Park. So, as an example, $2.50 a gallon in Lone Pine, $3.50 in Furnace Creek and $4.50 in Panamint Springs. This goes for beer as well. A 6-pack that would normally be $10 outside the Park is $16. A $15 6-pack (yes there is such a creature) is a cool $20. So, to reiterate, stock up on your essentials outside of the Park if at all possible but if you must consume in the Park, do so at Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells or Anywhere else but Panamint Springs.

You’re Welcome.

One thought on “Father Crowley Vista Point

  1. Upriverdavid

    Thanks..I would have thought Furnace Creek woulda’ been more costly….
    David

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