Additional Coverage:
- Trying to convince my husband and 3 teenagers to go backpacking was exhausting. I left them behind instead. (businessinsider.com)
Death Valley Solo: A Journey of Self-Discovery
The pre-dawn chill and a fizzing excitement woke me in my tent, pitched on the floor of Death Valley National Park. A faint stomping sound – wild horses! – sent me scrambling for my headlamp. Though they’d moved on by the time I peeked outside, the sight that greeted me was no less breathtaking: a sky ablaze with stars, so bright my headlamp was useless.
This was exactly what I craved. The simultaneous feeling of smallness in a vast world, vulnerable yet empowered, exposed yet in control.
My family vacations often included hiking and backpacking, but teenage sons don’t always share their mother’s enthusiasm for the outdoors. So, I embarked on this adventure alone, joining a group of strangers through a guided trip provided by Wildland Trekking.
The Cottonwood Marble Canyon Loop, a 30-mile trek, was our challenge. Steep climbs, winding canyons, rocky creeks, and almost invisible trails led us through a landscape that felt both otherworldly and strangely familiar.
The morning light revealed more magic: wild horses grazing amidst the rugged terrain. A “breath-caught-in-throat” moment for this Montana native, a reminder of time suspended.
Our group – a farmer from Nebraska, a nurse from Georgia, an empty-nester couple from Colorado, and myself – were an unlikely bunch, brought together by a shared thirst for adventure. We hailed from different backgrounds and held different perspectives, yet our paths converged in this extreme landscape. We shared stories, laughter, and the quiet camaraderie of the trail.
Death Valley’s unforgiving beauty demanded respect. We shielded our packs from rain, bundled against wind atop peaks, and covered ourselves from the relentless sun. With few maintained trails and no established campsites, we felt truly isolated, encountering only a handful of other hikers.
After days of challenging hikes, we reached the end of our loop, a sense of accomplishment shared amongst us. I celebrated with a long, hot shower at The Inn at Death Valley, a luxurious desert oasis that once hosted Hollywood royalty. My phone buzzed with messages from my new friends – photos of family, pets, a bandaged blister, and group shots with tents pitched against the stark landscape.
Was it worth leaving my family for a solo trip into the desert with strangers? It’s a question with a complex answer.
Perhaps, like Nebraska, it’s honestly not for everyone. But for me, it was a journey of self-discovery, a reminder of the power and beauty of the natural world, and a testament to the unexpected connections we forge along the way.