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Scotty's Castle

kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
edited January 28, 2009 in Landscapes
I've been by Scotty's Castle in Death Valley twice in the past couple of months, and both times I was in kind of a rush. The last time was with Aaron on our way to the Racetrack. It was mid-afternoon, and I grabbed a few shots.

Castle
IMG_4208_09_10_copy.jpg

Window
IMG_4214_5_6.jpg

Paradise Denied
IMG_4202_3_4_copy.jpg

And two quick shots from my previous trip....
Doorway
IMG_3800.jpg

The Moat
IMG_3806.jpg

Thanks for looking. :thumb
-joel
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    DonRicklinDonRicklin Registered Users Posts: 5,551 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    Looks like a place for some interesting shooting. Thanks for posting.

    Don
    Don Ricklin - Gear: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, was Pentax K7
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    DonRicklin wrote:
    Looks like a place for some interesting shooting. Thanks for posting.

    Don
    Thanks, Don.

    -joel
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    toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    Hey Joel..

    Thanks for posting, I'm hoping to make it there in March.

    How far away is the dunes area east of the castle and is it accessible by vehicle or hike in? Most importantly, do you think it's worth a shoot (sunrise? sunset? late day?)

    I never been there, would appreciate your views.
    Rags
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    torags wrote:
    Hey Joel..

    Thanks for posting, I'm hoping to make it there in March.

    How far away is the dunes area east of the castle and is it accessible by vehicle or hike in? Most importantly, do you think it's worth a shoot (sunrise? sunset? late day?)

    I never been there, would appreciate your views.
    Thanks, Rags. There are dunes east of the Castle? That's news to me. The park ends just a bit to the east of Scotty's, then you're on the long road out to 95 at Scotty's Junction on 95. Not much there I didn't think.

    The only dunes I know of are the big ones near Stovepipe wells. I guess those are south-southeast from the castle, probably 60 miles away or more. You park on the side of 190 and hike into those.

    The rest of your questions about driving in, time of day, etc. Are you asking specifically about the dunes or Scotty's?

    Regards,
    -joel
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    TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    wow thats wild, ive never known of this....

    now was that a pool at one time (with windows?)
    kinda looks like a shark tank with windows to watch feeding time....
    im thinking a James Bond scenario....
    Aaron Nelson
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    AaronNelson wrote:
    wow thats wild, ive never known of this....

    now was that a pool at one time (with windows?)
    kinda looks like a shark tank with windows to watch feeding time....
    im thinking a James Bond scenario....
    Thanks, Aaron. Yeah, I'm guessing kind of a swimming pond/moat.

    The history of the castle and "Death Valley Scotty" is pretty bizarre. I think it would make a great movie.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_E._Scott

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottys_Castle
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    TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    well theres your excuse to get the 5d2....rolleyes1.gif
    Aaron Nelson
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    toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    Thanks, Rags. There are dunes east of the Castle? That's news to me. The park ends just a bit to the east of Scotty's, then you're on the long road out to 95 at Scotty's Junction on 95. Not much there I didn't think.

    The only dunes I know of are the big ones near Stovepipe wells. I guess those are south-southeast from the castle, probably 60 miles away or more. You park on the side of 190 and hike into those.

    The rest of your questions about driving in, time of day, etc. Are you asking specifically about the dunes or Scotty's?

    Regards,
    -joel

    Ooops... It was Stovepipe Wells (Mesquite Flat) I was thinking about.

    What's the best way in; Rt 373 or Rt 374 from LV.? I'll probably stay at Stovepipe & catch Mesquite at sunrise.

    thanks for your help
    Rags
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    torags wrote:
    What's the best way in; Rt 373 or Rt 374 from LV.? I'll probably stay at Stovepipe & catch Mesquite at sunrise.

    I think 374 out of Beatty is generally accepted as being the quickest route. Nothing wrong with a little longer drive on 373 though as you'll see more of the park. Maybe make it a loop and take that way back home.

    You're in Vegas then?

    Cheers,
    -joel
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    AaronNelson wrote:
    well theres your excuse to get the 5d2....rolleyes1.gif

    Good point. Maybe I can get you to play Scotty. :D
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    Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    Interesting location ! very beautiful photographs
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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    toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    I think 374 out of Beatty is generally accepted as being the quickest route. Nothing wrong with a little longer drive on 373 though as you'll see more of the park. Maybe make it a loop and take that way back home.

    You're in Vegas then?

    Cheers,
    -joel

    Nah.. I'll be coming in from Florida on the way back from a cross country. I'm going thru LV from Coyote Buttes.
    Rags
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    TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    Good point. Maybe I can get you to play Scotty. :D

    my first staring role.... i finally got that big breakthumb.gif


    i think F-stop would fill the "Wild Bill" role just fine....

    and ISO could be the Goverment Agent on Scottys case....
    Aaron Nelson
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    dogwooddogwood Registered Users Posts: 2,572 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    Nice shots. That area (Scotty's Castle) seems to have really weird karma compared to other parts of the park. Just always seems a little Twilight Zone to me-- especially in that gift shop/cafe.

    Were there coyotes hanging out and begging? I've seen them practically run up to cars pulling into the lot.

    In terms of "nearby" dunes, there are also the Eureka Dunes towards California in the northern part of the park but it's a LONG drive on mostly dirt roads from Scotty's Castle.
    Portland, Oregon Photographer Pete Springer
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    Interesting location ! very beautiful photographs

    Thanks, Awais!!

    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    AaronNelson wrote:
    my first staring role.... i finally got that big breakthumb.gif


    i think F-stop would fill the "Wild Bill" role just fine....

    and ISO could be the Goverment Agent on Scottys case....
    wings.gif
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    kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited January 28, 2009
    dogwood wrote:
    Nice shots. That area (Scotty's Castle) seems to have really weird karma compared to other parts of the park. Just always seems a little Twilight Zone to me-- especially in that gift shop/cafe.

    Were there coyotes hanging out and begging? I've seen them practically run up to cars pulling into the lot.

    In terms of "nearby" dunes, there are also the Eureka Dunes towards California in the northern part of the park but it's a LONG drive on mostly dirt roads from Scotty's Castle.

    Thanks, Dogwood. Didn't see any coyote beggers around Scotties at all. But we were accosted by one on the other end of the park. I posted some pics in this thread here: http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=117986
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    toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited January 28, 2009
    The pix of the Ibex (nr Saratoga Spring) dunes seem to show them as higher than Mesquite, anybody been there?

    What's the hike in like?
    Rags
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