Welcome to Death Valley!

I once read that Death Valley was a land of extremes; extreme heat, extreme dryness and the lowest point in North America! Death Valley, located in Eastern California, is certainly all of these things but one thing for sure, it has mesmerizing harshly beautiful landscapes unlike anything we have ever seen. 

When we first discussed going to Death Valley, my immediate thought was that we were going to a desert. I expected to see a lot of cactus and miles upon miles of sand dunes. My senses were completely unprepared for the mountains that towered above the dry lake beds, the dark night skies, and the huge craters and rugged terrain that also define Death Valley. The long stretches of lonely roads that wound their way through huge expanses of Mars-like land often made us feel like space explorers on a brand new expedition. 

Talking about space, our first stop was at Rainbow Canyon nicknamed Star Wars

Canyon located at the western border of the park. Commonly used by the United States Air Force and Navy for fighter jet training and for filming movie

scenes like some of those found in the Star Wars movies, we were treated to some pretty spectacular scenery. 





Sitting atop Father Crowley overlook we joined other onlookers and photographers who had come to not only see the canyon but also to take in the flight training exercises. 

I was lucky to have captured this shot! These guys are fast!

Although the sand dunes are only a small portion of Death Valley, they are quite spectacular! The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes were quite accessible and a fun place to visit. Many people come here to walk over the dunes and feel the soft sand beneath their feet. Not at this location, but we are told that some of the dunes in Death Valley can reach to over 680 feet tall!

                  The mountains provided a beautiful backdrop for the setting sun!

Some of the best motorcycle riding we have done on this trip has been at Death Valley! The endless open roads with not a car in sight provides us with a wonderful opportunity to get up close and personal with all that the desert has to offer.

Into the mountains we go!

 Artist Palette Drive was a beautiful run that took us past beautifully colored      rocks created by the oxidation of the metals found in the ground here.

        This photo was taken by Blair Radford (www.sharetheexperience.org)

Death Valley also has an interesting history including how it got its name! During the 1849 California Gold Rush, Death Valley received its name from prospectors and pioneers who perished during their winter journey across the valley to the gold fields. The charcoal kilns pictured below are also remnants of the park's history.

Built in 1877 by American Indian, Hispanic and Chinese workers the kilns provided a source of fuel suitable for use in the smelters of the lead-silver mines that once existed. 

During our October/November visit to Death Valley, the daytime temperatures

often soared to 28 degrees celsius which meant lots of water and needed opportunities to escape the sun. Needless to say it did not surprise us to learn that the hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley was 56.7 degrees celsius! Likewise, Badwater Basin is another example of the extreme harshness of the Death Valley landscape. At almost 300 feet below sea level, this is the lowest point in North America. Water from a spring below is undrinkable because of the salt. In the pictures below the salt flats stretch for miles!

Hiking through Golden Canyon and taking in the view of the Valley from Dante's Peak are also must do activities on any visitors list. After leaving Badwater Basin early in the morning, we went right to Golden Canyon before the temperatures became too hot! As we walked through the canyons we were in awe at the rock formations that towered above us. Red Cathedral reaches into the sky in the background.

Not a great selfie, but we made it!!!! Can you see Steve in the background?

Dante's Peak, an almost 5500 foot viewpoint atop the Black Mountains, was one of the last places we visited during our 4 days in Death Valley! It really was great to be able to take in the entire view of Death Valley below! 

Death Valley is certainly a place we will never forget!