Death Valley-A Dramatic and Varied Landscape
Death Valley-A Dramatic and Varied Landscape
Even without the super bloom flowers, Death Valley would be a fascinating place to visit. The landscape is so dramatic, and so varied, in the 3.4 million acres that make up the national park. It was interesting to learn that this is the largest national park in the lower 48.
Death Valley would be a geologists dream. In fact, I said on one of our hikes that to do a guided tour with a geologist would be amazing.
This was one of our favorite hikes. It’s called Mosaic canyon, and with very good reason. The rocks going all through this narrow canyon are beautiful, unique, and really do look like a mosaic in several spots. I later learned this stone is dolomite. It felt like marble it was so soft and smooth.
This small canyon is gold canyon, with good reason.
It had some fabulous views.
Here you can see the snow covered mountains in the very back. The elevation in Death Valley goes from 11,000 feet to 282 feet below sea level.
A land of contrasts, the flowers helped this contrast.
The third hike we did was Natural bridge canyon. It was not very long, but it had some very interesting things to see. This giant water chute was of them.
I wish so bad I could have got a fabulous photo of this rock, it just glowed.
These cute tiny flowers were in that canyon too.
Of course we had to go to the lowest point in America, Badwater basin at 282 feet below sea level. The park service put a sea level sign on the cliff behind where we were standing to take this photo. That was a crazy thing to see.
Giant salt flats that looked like a giant frozen lake.
I would go back to Death Valley for sure. Of course it’s a National Park, so not dog friendly. We stayed in one of the campgrounds at Furnace Creek so we could leave them in the RV while we went hiking and exploring. This worked pretty good because Furnace creek is fairly central to where we wanted to go. We scoped out a different RV park, that I think we would try next time.
There were a lot of things we didn’t get to see this trip, that I would go back for. Death Valley has a lot of interesting history too. The 20 mule team borax is from there. They mined Borax in the valley, and really did use a team of 20 mules to haul the borax out of the valley. I have some photos from the museum, maybe I’ll do a post on that next week.
it it amazing that such things are made by rain, sun and wind… and it’s great that there is such a place on this planet… just the nature, no phone posts, electricity poles …. a great place to take a break from our hectic modern world :o)
Wow, amazing scenery and photos. Nature is grand! Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
You make me want to visit Death Valley. Incredible photos… what amazing topography that you captured so beautifully.
My only problem is the National Park part. We don’t really like leaving our pups in the van :(
What a cool place! I had no idea it was that big!
I have a sneaking suspicion that you actually toured the entire 3.4 million acres… ;) It’s amazing how one area, even as large as it is, has so many different landscapes. I would definitely enjoy going there. Geology has always fascinated me and I’ve found some fascinating rocks and fossils while hiking and doing archaeology. Wish I could do more of it!
Certain parts of this post remind me of the Badlands! I love all of the different photos you took…the Salt Flats were cool! That reminded me a bit of White Sands. Enjoy yourselves! It sure sounds like you are!!
Death Valley is a very special landscape, isn’t it! But I had problems making interesting photos when I visited it last time. You, on the other hand, have done excellently. Love the photos, particularly the ones from Mosaic canyon.