Dante's View
Dante's view was my first stop after driving in from Las Vegas. Frankly, I wasn't sure what to make of it. It was just this large mass of white
in the valley below, with very little to place it into context. I didn't know if I was seeing all or Death Valley, or just a small part. In retrospect, I think I was looking at Bad Water (a very small part).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bad Water
The lowest point in Death Valley -- I think around 235 feet below sea level. It's basically a dry lakebed with a 1/8 layer of salt deposits left behind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devil's Golf Course
First unexpected surprise of the trip. Only stopped because it was so close to the road leaving to/from Bad Water. It was like walking on a coral reef made out of salt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drive to Stove Pipe Wells
On the way to my motel, I stopped to grab a few shots.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stove Pipe Dunes at Sunset
A major attraction due to it's close proximity to a paved road (about 300 yards away). Too popular if you ask me. Other photographers
inadvertently enter your frame at sunrise and sunset. And on the second
day, someone decided to hike to the top of the tallest dune, leaving massive
tracks until the next wind storm comes along in two or three months. Fortunately, Eureka Dunes was a spectacular contrast.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stove Pipe Dunes at Sunrise
I didn't do a very good job of photographing the scene, but the experience was almost magical. From
star-studded darkness, the desert leaps to life in the span of about 45 minutes. Amazing color and contrast, changing faster than your senses can soak it all in.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Titus Canyon
Next unexpected surprise of the trip. I went on a recommendation of a park ranger. Great drive on narrow winding trails. Stopped for a couple hours just to scrmable up a mountain to take it all in. 4x4 vehicle with high
clearance is a must, particularly late in the trail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joshua Trees along drive to The Racetrack
These photos don't do it justice. I was literally overcome with the shear numbers of trees.
I thought to myself that this was akin to trying to count the stars. They went on as far as I could see.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Racetrack
Interesting site that no one has been able to explain. Under what special conditions do these sizable rocks move
across the lakebed like that? These can be very hard to find. A ranger a met on the way gave me directions. Email me for info. Hint: Everyone else you see out there was in the completely wrong place.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devil's Corn Field
Interesting vegetation in the middle of it all, near Stove Pipe Wells.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunrise near Devil's Corn Field
Not a great place to catch a sunrise. The dunes are much better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eureka Dunes
Unexpected surprise. The highlight of my trip! Sixty miles (one-way) on wash-board roads, but worth it. Whiter sand than Stovepipe, and generally
undisturbed. Had to make my own tracks -- there were literally no others for me to walk in. Don't park at the main area -- follow the dirt path that winds around to the east.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
After finishing at Eureka Dunes, I wasn't sure I had enough gas to get back the way I had come, so I headed west instead. Rewarding detour; highly recommended
drive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
