Though concealed in this view, the tent sits behind a small rocky outcrop in the centre of this photo in Monarch Canyon

The road into Monarch Canyon may end here, but Monarch Canyon itself continues another mile and a half or so behind me. Walking further down the canyon in search of Monarch Spring will be tomorrow's adventure.

The wind is quite strong up here tonight. Right after sunset, a two-hour rain storm kicks in just as I'm about to prepare my add-water-to-bag backpacker's meal. I have to put on my rain gear when I step outside to boil my water. A bit of water starts to get in my tent around the edges after a while, but nothing too serious.

Fortunately, the wind dies down to a tolerable level around midnight, so falling asleep is easy.

Next photo album: Day 6, morning: A walk down upper Monarch Canyon, Death Valley in search of Monarch Spring for drinking water