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Malpais, Conglomerate, Nelson
Malpais Mesa, Conglomerate Mesa, and the Nelson Range are north of the Darwin area and south of the Inyo Range and Saline Valley. Much of this area is outside of Death Valley National Park boundaries, but quite a bit of this land is set aside as designated wilderness. The elevation of this area ranges from about 5000 feet to nearly 8000 feet. Malpais Mesa is home to a large yucca forest. Pinyon and juniper grow in the Conglomerate Mesa area and in the Nelson Range. (Click here to view area map.)
Nelson Cabin (June 2011)    Quick view of trip pics
  1. Cows - A few cows hanging out at Lee Flat within sight of Nelson Mountain.
  2. Nelson Mountain #1 - Yucca tree forest and 7696 foot peak.
  3. Nelson Mountain #2 - The cabin is located at the bottom of one of the canyons to the left of the peak.
  4. Passage Way - Looking down the road leading to the cabin at a little passage through a rock formation.
  5. Outhouse - Nelson Outhouse and some yucca.
  6. Nelson Cabin #1 - The elevation here is about 6500 feet.
  7. Outhouse Window - View looking out the outhouse window.
  8. Nelson Cabin #2 - Zdon in his book about desert summits lists the cabin at 5500 feet.
  9. Cabin Roof - Corrugated metal roof and tall chimney (smokestack).
  10. Fireplace - This is the fireplace at the bottom of the smokestack.
  11. Nelson Cabin #3 - Looking at the cabin from the road leading to it.
  12. Nelson Cabin #4 - Another view of the door side of the cabin.
  13. Wood Burning Stove - There's a fireplace and a stove in this small cabin.
  14. Wood Structure - This used to be a rig with a pulley at the top of a vertical shaft.
  15. Cabin View #1 - Looking down on cabin from about the fifth mine level up.
  16. Cabin View #2 - Another look at the cabin and outhouse from above.
  17. Rock Structure #1 - Old rock structure more or less northwest of cabin.
  18. Rock Structure #2 - Another view of rock structure over small hill from cabin.
  19. Giant Four O'Clock - Mirabilis multiflora of the Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock Family).
  20. Gold Buttons - Erigeron aphanactis of the Sunflower Family. Also known as Fleabane or Rayless Daisy.
Malpais Mesa (June 2010)    Quick view of trip pics
  1. Mine Area - Ruins at end of the road.
  2. Yuccas and Peaks #1 - Peaks with snow and mesa dotted with yuccas.
  3. Fishhook Cactus - Large, colorful cactus flowers.
  4. Mine Claim - Wooden post marking corner of mine claim.
  5. Yuccas and Posts - Lots of yuccas and three wooden posts.
  6. Yuccas and Peaks #2 - Another view of Sierras Nevadas.
  7. Gold Buttons - This plant was abundantly in bloom.
  8. Yuccas and Peaks #3 - Large yucca in foreground.
  9. Mariposa Lily - Bright orange flowers scattered around the mesa.
  10. Larkspur #1 - Close look at larkspur flowers.
  11. Yuccas and Peaks #4 - Looks like Alabama Hills at the base of the mountains.
  12. Larkspur #2 - Another close look at larkspur flowers.
  13. Owens Valley - View from top of peak looking down at Owens Lake.
  14. Rosa Benchmark - One of the markers at top of Rosa Peak.
  15. Lizard - Dark lizard on rock near peak.
  16. Inyo Onion - Stalk and flowers sticking out from under rock.
  17. Old Man Cactus - Hairy cactus and Inyo onion flowers.
  18. Punctured Bract #1 - Lower leaves of punctured bract plant.
  19. Punctured Bract #2 - Upper leaves of punctured bract plant.
  20. Desert Dandelion - More colorful flowers up on the mesa!
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