Death Valley National Park
My first visit to the park in some 40 years - I wanted some sunshine and warmth in February, and I got it. It was 865 miles drive each way.
Approaching the valley. Temps rise from 50s outside to 60s and then 70s as I descend below sea level
My walk-in campsite (#132) for the first two nights in the Furnace Creek Campground.
Standing at Badwater, almost 200 feet below sea level, looking at the large temporary lake that has formed
Another view of so-called Lake Manly, from about a mile past the Badwater viewpoint. That is Telescope Peak behind, at over 11,000 feet.
Arch Canyon
A deeply eroded dry waterfall in Arch Canyon
Artist's Palette
Approaching Red Cathedral from Golden Canyon
The continuation of the Golden Canyon trail passing Manly Beacon
Looking back towards Manly Beacon
Now in Mesquite Dunes. Those twin high point were the goal
Easier walking on this than the sandy ridges, but you can't see where you are going over the ridges and it led me the wrong way
So I backtracked, got on a dune ridge and am here approaching the high points
Looking back from the high point. The parking lot is a little over a mile away at the edge of the sand
That afternoon I drove north to Ubehebe Crater. Note those lines left of center: crazy steep trails to the crater bottom. There also is a 1.5 mile trail around the rim.
The bottom of the crater, about 500 feet down
Another look at the insanely steep trail into the crater
Next day was the drive up to Dante's Viewpoint, way up at 5400 feet. Here looking down at the lake at Badwater and Telescope Peak across the way
Dante's View parking lot. It was cold (high 40s) and with a howling wind when I arrived at 9:30, but improved during the day
From the viewpoint, a trail on Dante's Ridge leads to Mt Perry in four miles. The view and the peak are about the same altitude, and the ridge drops down a lot in between.
This was my far point on the hike
And I had a very nice lunch spot
Badwater salt flats just beyond the lake
The next morning at Zabriskie Point. Yes, that is Manly Beacon again, from a distance
Near Zabriskie Point
I am amazed at the plants that survive here. In a few months the high temps will average nearly 120 degrees and the lows may not drop below 100.
Texas Springs Campground, tent-only section, where I sepnt three more nights. My site was at the red car, near the center.
Sunset on my last night camping there.
