TRIP REPORT PHOTOS
We did our visit to Darwin Falls as a family hike with our 6 year old son Stefan along:
The beginning of the hike is through both small and large washes:
As you may be able to tell in this photo, we did our hike on a day that rained off and on:
On the right side, you can see a section of the continuous water pipe which carries water from the creek to Panamint Springs:
Stefan trying to keep warm as the hike started out cold and rainy:
This plant with a bloom of yellow flowers looks like it is a large display of Death Valley Goldeneye:
Death Valley Goldeneye in bloom on the Darwin Falls trail during the month of March:
Rugged hillside cliffs surround the beginning of Darwin Canyon:
Up ahead, you can see how the canyon narrows down from a wide wash to being much tighter:
Desert willow trees are the most abundant trees within Darwin Canyon:
The creek flow becomes quite heavy about halfway into the hike once the dry areas are passed:
Taking a closer look at the creek and muddy areas all around:
Looking ahead, trees are lining the creek along the left side of the trail:
This creek flows year round so there is always plenty of water for the plants and trees to keep them green:
A picture of Daria along the trail helping to show the height of the trees:
Looking back toward the open desert portion of the hike from underneath the trees:
The trail soon narrows down considerably as it gets deeper into the thick brush:
Two pictures showcasing some of the greenery of the trees:
At this spot in the trail, the path passes in between a large rock wall and overgrown greenery:
Notice how some of the branches fully overhang the trail and create a tunnel-like passage:
Looking up at the large rock wall seen along the right side of the trail:
Some sections of the rock wall have collapsed and become giant boulders on the ground:
As the rock walls of the hillsides and canyon darken and become more solid, it really contrasts nicely with the greenery:
Looking up at an impressive solid rock hillside with the potential for future rock fall:
Another glimpse of the creek mostly hidden beneath the plant life:
A fairly large amount of water flow considering that it originates from a desert spring:
Numerous small plants thrive due to the consistent presence of water:
The high cliffs above the canyon in the background are nicely framed by the greenery:
Because this is such a popular hike, the paths do not end up getting overgrown very much:
Note the small and larger grasses growing around the creek:
I'm not sure if this concrete section was poured to form a small dam or to allow for easier hiking:
As the canyon walls became more vertical and closed in on us, the scenery was even more impressive:
There were numerous spots where the creek overflowed or widened to form little ponds or flooded areas of terrain:
A nice view of the creek flowing by adjacent the trail:
The path meanders through the heavy brush of Darwin Canyon:
This large green plant really stood out:
While there were mostly willow trees, there were even a few cottonwood trees:
This looks a lot like wild watercress but I couldn't get close enough to confirm:
Another very scenic spot in the canyon with a great contrast of colors:
Trees growing out at an extreme angle, perhaps battling it out for sunlight:
Working your way around some of the wider trees is part of the fun:
Stefan carefully crossing over the creek on some fallen branches:
Looking back at the bridge of branches. Visitors have worked hard to keep their feet dry:
A neat spot where the creek flows down some solid rock cascades in between cattail plants:
Portrait view of the same spot reveals the canyon walls rising high above:
The canyon walls become truly vertical even as plants still find a way to grow out of them:
A small mossy cascade where the creek flows over with cattails visible in the foreground:
Two more pictures of the cascade from the side and back views:
Looking straight up a towering canyon wall. It would probably be a good idea to watch out for falling rocks in this area:
Tall grasses growing up high out of the creek:
Reaching Lower Darwin Falls, which is said to be 18 feet high:
A closer view showing how the narrow stream of water flows down and splits in two near the bottom:
Zooming in on the top part of Lower Darwin Falls where it pours over:
This alternate view is blocked by a large tree branch but shows how large the somewhat reflective pond is at the base of the falls:
A family picture taken at Lower Darwin Falls:
The bonus pictures begin with this view looking over Darwin Canyon from high above. Please read my warning on the front page of this particular report and do not attempt this portion of the hike due to safety concerns:
This extremely hard to reach section of slot canyon contains several small waterfalls such as the one pictured here:
But the most impressive sight is 80-foot high Upper Darwin Falls, seen here:
Upper Darwin Falls is considered by many to be the most spectacular waterfall in Death Valley. However, the treacherous trail conditions with exposure do not permit many people to ever visit this place:
One final view of Upper Darwin Falls and the polished slot narrows around it:
On the way back, we spotted an American robin enjoying the creek:
