On the way we pause at the Harmony Borax Works and an example of the “20 Mule Team” borax mining transportation and extraction methods.īadwater Basin is an endorheic basin in Death Valley National Park, noted as the lowest point in North America, with a depth of 282 ft (86 m) below sea level. On the way, we encounter a small herd of feral donkeys, turned loose after mining operations ceased in the late 19th century.įrom the Visitor’s Center we set out for Bad Water Basin and Artists Drive before the sunset. Returning the way we came, we head for the Visitor’s Center to view the exhibits and plan a sunset photo tour of the park. The 25’ high Charcoal Kilns were used to produce charcoal to smelt lead and silver from local ore mined beginning in 1877, and ceased operations shortly afterward.Īfter the Kilns, the 4WD Road gets a bit rough, climbing to the Mahogany Flats Campground and the road’s end at 8,133 ft. Up early at Wildrose Campground, we drove the dirt road up Wildrose Canyon toward the Charcoal Kilns and Mahogany Flats. The mountains being much cooler than the surrounding desert, the temperature dropped quickly from 72 degrees, down to a low of 31 degrees in the early morning. Of the more than 900 plant species found, 19 are unique to this area.ĭriving in from the south as the sun sets, we make our way up a narrow winding road to the Wildrose Campground at 4,100 ft elevation. It is considered the hottest place on earth and the driest place in the United States. The park encompasses 3.3 million acres and normally enjoys summer temperatures in the 110’s and 120’s, but also experienced a record temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Elevations in the park range from -282 feet below sea level at Bad Water (the lowest point in North America), to 11,049 feet at Telescope Peak.
With 3 million acres of wilderness, Death Valley is the largest national park outside Alaska.
0 kommentar(er)
