“It was so hot that swallows in full flight fell to the earth dead and when I went out to read the thermometer with a wet Turkish towel on my head, it was dry before I returned.” –Oscar Denton, caretaker of the original Furnace Creek Ranch on the record hot day of 134F (56C) in July 1913.
.jpg "Sea level sign on cliffs Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
Sea Level sign, note red line
Death Valley National Park Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation point in the Western Hemisphere at -282 feet (-85.5 meters), only in Africa is it lower. A small spring-fed pool is the only remnant of ancient Lake Manly that once stretched across the valley floor 100 miles (160.9 km) in length and 6-11 miles (9.65 – 17.7 km) in width with an estimated depth of nearly 600 feet (182.88 meters). This was our next stop after Natural Bridge Canyon.
.jpg "Sea level sign on cliffs Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
Sea level sign
Snow melt from mountains in central Nevada flow into underground aquifers gathering minerals along the way and emerges here along the fault line at the base of the Amargosa Range.
.jpg "Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
View west over Badwater Basin
Here, at the lowest elevation, the water comes to rest forming temporary lakes then the water evaporates and only the minerals remain.
.jpg "Pool on saltflats Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
Pool on salt flats
Sodium chloride, or table salt, makes up the majority of minerals however calcite, gypsum, and of course borax are also found.
.jpg "Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
View north over Badwater Basin
Water is rare and precious in Death Valley. Imagine the disappointment when a surveyor couldn’t get his mule to drink. He wrote on his map “bad water” and the name stuck. But it’s not bad, just salty.
.jpg "Saltflats Badwater Basin Death Valley NP CA")
Salt Flats
Salt crystals expand, pushing the crust of salt into rough, chaotic forms constantly changing as newly formed crystals ooze between the mud cracks.
.jpg "On the road to Artists Drive Death Valley NP CA")
On the road to Artists Drive
From Badwater we began driving back to camp, but there was another interesting side trip to be taken on the way.
Sea Level sign, note red lineDeath Valley National Park Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation point in the Western Hemisphere at -282 feet (-85.5 meters), only in Africa is it lower. A small spring-fed pool is the only remnant of ancient Lake Manly that once stretched across the valley floor 100 miles (160.9 km) in length and 6-11 miles (9.65 – 17.7 km) in width with an estimated depth of nearly 600 feet (182.88 meters). This was our next stop after Natural Bridge Canyon.
Sea level signSnow melt from mountains in central Nevada flow into underground aquifers gathering minerals along the way and emerges here along the fault line at the base of the Amargosa Range.
View west over Badwater BasinHere, at the lowest elevation, the water comes to rest forming temporary lakes then the water evaporates and only the minerals remain.
Pool on salt flatsSodium chloride, or table salt, makes up the majority of minerals however calcite, gypsum, and of course borax are also found.
View north over Badwater BasinWater is rare and precious in Death Valley. Imagine the disappointment when a surveyor couldn’t get his mule to drink. He wrote on his map “bad water” and the name stuck. But it’s not bad, just salty.
Salt FlatsSalt crystals expand, pushing the crust of salt into rough, chaotic forms constantly changing as newly formed crystals ooze between the mud cracks.
On the road to Artists DriveFrom Badwater we began driving back to camp, but there was another interesting side trip to be taken on the way.
Very interesting post about Badwater! I still can't get over how hot it gets there!
Wow…what a place! I'm glad to see what it looks like. My dad wrote about doing some survey work there back in the 40's and it is intereseting to see what the landscape he described looked like. Interesting! Love that firy header shot!
Compared to our muddy tapkis, that is some clean seasonal water! Perhaps the salt does it?
I like how the white minerals contrast with the dark water colors in "View north over Badwater Basin." It looks like a strange but beautiful place.
Death Valley feels raw where one can explore ancient components that have stopped moving and changing much due to lack of water and a crack in the earth which keeps water from accumulating. The result is consolidated and isolated, nutirents, minerals, ore's, and a storehouse of colours upon the pallete of life. When water or spirit is reintroduced into circulation in higher, or what we call more normal parameters, the soup bowl or the basin of death valley will cook up a new story with the valuable ingredients it holds in storage.
So I wonder if any of the local animals have adapted to drinking the salty water? I suppose some probably have. That quote at the top is amazing…. I can't even imagine!
So I wonder if any of the local animals have adapted to drinking the salty water? I suppose some probably have. That quote at the top is amazing…. I can't even imagine!
56C. Holy cow, but thats hot. It must be something looking ap at the mountain side and seeing a sign say sea level. It must also be something to find water in such a hot place and then find out its salt. A really really interesting place.
This is really interesting and such dry looking country..I get thirsty just looking at it…
I wondered if the water was really bad. Can people drink it safely, even if that stubborn mule would not?
I see the sign on the mountain that says "sea level" Interesting to get a perspective.
Oh boy, can't wait until tomorrow. You really are well below sea-level. I see the red line. This country is amazing isn't it.. Salt makes funny formations–all twisty and sharp cornered. See ya tomorrow. MB
What an experience and what wonders of nature you have witnessed Gaelyn. Lovely encrustations of the ever changing salt crust. Such rugged beauty all around.
My goodness!! That is some statement you have there from 1913!!
Do they mine the salt in the area Gaelyn.
These shots are great; I love it when places are named for what they are: Badwater, etc. I like the Sea Level sign….
Wow what a strange and interesting place!
That must be a singularly eerie place to walk around in…. you can see Earth's geo-life up close past, present and future.
You are quite lucky to see all these different places that I will probably never see in my Lifetime. I, as always, enjoy your learning Posts. Great Post and thanks much.
Les
Gaelyn: That is what is called going into the bottom of the dry valley.
Very cool. I never did make Death Valley while I was out there. Sure with I had!
Love the name Badwater!