Day 35 - Death Valley

We headed into Death Valley National Park today. Our first stop was the partially open visitor center. The only part open was fee collection and the bookstore. They have their priorities in the right place. We then headed south to Badwater. The last time I was here this was just a wide spot on the road with a sign. Now there is a nice parking lot with concrete and wooden walkways. This is the lowest point in North America.

If you look closely on the rocks overlooking the parking lot, you can spot the sign showing sea level. There were quite a few people here and there is a wide trail out into the valley where you are allowed to walk. I don't remember that being the case 40+ years ago.

Our next stop was the Natural Bridge. I forgot my phone in the car so no pictures of the bridge or the trail. Below show the great view of the valley looking southwest from the parking lot. The road to the trailhead was pretty rough for the Prius and is about the limit of its off-road capability.

The next stop heading north was the Devil's Golf Course. Named because of the very rough landscape. By this time it was around 92°F so the car was left running for the A/C. Yes, we are spoiled…

We then drove on the Artist Drive and stopped at Artist's Pallette named because of the colors on the hills. The one that stands out as "unusual" was the greenish-blue. It is caused by chloride and not copper. The one-way road is pretty spectacular and worth the detour.

The next stop was Zabriskie Point. After the earlier hikes, this short, paved trail seemed unusually steep. But the view was worth it. I think it would look even more spectacular near sunset and the shallow angle of the light would create some good shadows. 

Our last stop before heading back was Dante's View. This is a 14 mile (each way) road to the ridge overlooking Badwater Basin and is over 5000' elevation. The view was pretty spectacular though the smoke from the fires did make it a little hazy.