Death Valley
Death Valley NP entry sign.
Skirting the snow-covered Sierra Mountains on the way to Death Valley.
Roadside coyote, a welcoming committee to Death Valley NP.
Wildrose Campground, our lodging of choice in the Death Valley. Not only is it free, but it is also at 2000 ft / 600 vertical meters above the valley floor, and thus about 15C cooler than any of the paid campgrounds down in the valley.
180 degree views of Death Valley and the salty plain of Badwater basin (the lowest point in continental US, 85.5m below sea level) from Dante's View lookout.
A salty river on Badwater basin, viewed from Dante's lookout.
Mesquite Flat sand dunes in the sunset, Death Valley NP
The joy of having a decent sized sandpit. Mesquite Flat sand dunes, Death Valley NP
An abundant crop on Devil's Cornfield, Death Valley NP.
One of the bright red hire Jeeps turning off to the 25 mile 4WD-only track to Racecourse, Death Valley NP.
Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
A walk around the crater rim, Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
The stony desert in full spring bloom, Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
A walk around the crater rim, Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
Small Hebe crater, next to its larger sibling Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
A walk around the crater rim, Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
Lovely stone lacing on the crater rim, Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
The bottom of Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley NP.
Salt Creek boardwalk - a desert creek with unique pupfish species.
One of many pupfish living in Salt Creek.
A typical drive through Death Valley floor. The complete lack of vegetation is quite amazing.
Road dropping down to Badwater basin, Death Valley NP.
Salty ground of the Devil's Golf Course - short turn off the main Death Valley road.
As the sign says: Badwater basin, at 85.5 meters below sea level the lowest point in US.
Badwater basin, the lowest point in US at sunset.
Zero gravitation on the the lowest point in US caught dad by surprise 🙂 Badwater basin, Death Valley.
Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley NP.
After the wide opening at the start of the walk, canyon narrows down. Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley NP.
And then the canyon narrows down even more, to the joy of young explorers. Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley NP.
Mosaic Canyon, Death Valley NP.
Conglomerate rock, after which the Mosaic Canyon takes its name. Death Valley NP.
Golden Canyon and Red Cathedral stand to their names in the morning sun. Death Valley NP
Small side exploration in the Golden Canyon, Death Valley NP
Golden Canyon walk, Death Valley NP.
Arriving under the Red Cathedral, on the Golden Canyon walk side trip. Death Valley NP.
Views back over Golden Canyon from the bottom of Red Cathedral, Death Valley NP.
Views back over Golden Canyon from near the Red Cathedral, Death Valley NP.
Joining back to the main track after another in-promptu side excursion. Golden Canyon, Death Valley NP.
Many colours of the Golden Canyon, Death Valley NP
Turn off from Golden Canyon to the link track to Gower Gulch loop, Golden Canyon, Death Valley NP
Manly Beacon, a prominent feature on the link track from Golden Canyon to Gowler Gulch. Death Valley NP.
Colourful contryside of the Golden Canyon, Death Valley NP
Panorama towards Golden Canyon, with Manly Beacon and Red Cathedral rocks on the horizon. Death Valley NP.
Trail signpost on Golden Canyon-Gowler Gulch loop track. Death Valley NP.
Resident lizard, Death Valley NP.
Coming out of Gowler Gulch canyon to main valley, Golden Canyon-Gowler Gulch loop track. Death Valley NP.
Start of the Artist drive, 9 mile / 15 km one way winding road amongst colourful rocks, Death Valley NP.
Artist's Palette - multi-coloured rocks. Death Valley NP.
Artist drive, 9 mile / 15 km one way winding road amongst colourful rocks, Death Valley NP.
Artist drive, 9 mile / 15 km one way winding road amongst colourful rocks, Death Valley NP.
Unsealed 20 Mule Team Canyon drive is a low key alternative to the sealed Artist's drive. Scenery is only slightly less spectacular, there is no traffic and winding trough switchbacks in narrow canyons on an unsealed track feels more like the real deal.
Evening at the Zabriskie point - proof that we have been there! Death Valley NP.
Evening views from the Zabriskie point, Death Valley NP.
Zabriskie point parking, Death Valley NP.
Morning views from the Zabriskie point towards Manly Beacon and Death Valley.