Death Valley 2019
Death Valley National Park was our “Spring Break” getaway for 2019. It’s only a five-and-a-half-hour drive from San Diego and we hit the timing just right with sunny skies and temperatures in the 80-85°range.
Death Valley is well known for having the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level and the highest ever recorded temperature in the world at 134°air temperature and 201°ground temperature. But there is much more to the area and we thoroughly enjoyed our 3-day visit.
Death Valley’s geographical region is unique, with volcanoes and earthquakes forming a basin and two mountain ranges that are spreading apart, fracturing along parallel fault lines. These huge blocks of land tilting down toward each other to form mountains on each side and a sinking valley (Death Valley) in the middle.
Trivial facts also include the story of how Death Valley got its name. In 1849 as the California gold rush pioneers (49’rs) migrated west, a group arrived in Salt Lake City and were told not to continue on like the Donner Party as it was too late in the year and suggested they wait till spring. The pioneers became restless and organized a wagon train and ultimately ended up in the area now known as Death Valley. After getting lost and losing pioneers lives, they eventually found their way using scouts and abandoning many of their wagons to navigate to California. Legend has it that as they left Death Valley, they looked behind them and said, “Goodbye Death Valley”!
Our experience in Death Valley was “death free” and included taking a couple hikes, star gazing with Park rangers and several visits to interesting sites with views and natural beauty. The following photos include: Dante’s View, Zabriskie Point, Artists Palate, 20 Mule Team Canyon, Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater, Natural Bridge, Golden Canyon/Red Cathedral/Gower Gulch/Badlands Loop Hike.
The Inn at Death Valley
Dante’s View
Zabriskie Point
20 Mule Canyon
Hike: Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch and Red Cathedral
Devil’s Golf Course
Bad Water basin 282 ft below sea level
Natural Bridge Canyon
Artist’s Palette
