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"Mars Hill," where NASA tested Mars
rovers |
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Wolf points out the "SEA LEVEL" sign
on the scarp above Badwater |
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Kelso Station, soon to be the new Visitors Center
for Mojave National Preserve
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Death Valley recently had flash
floods and record
wild flowers, but now there are only scattered husks left.
We stopped at the Furnace Creek Ranch for ice cream and to
gander the impromptu bulletin board with pictures of the flood
damage. The nearby Borax Museum is a must-see for rock hounds,
but we found out it was closed for lunch.
Our next point of interest, after ogling
the posh accommodations to be had at the Furnace
Creek Inn, was the prehistoric footpath along the fault
scarps, and the scarps themselves, along the eastern side
of CSR-178 to Badwater. We stooped to pay homage at Mars Hill,
where NASA's Mars rovers have been tested. It's across from
the end of Artists' Drive, overlooking the valley. The rocks
and volcanic sand look very Mars-like -- especially after
you Photoshop a bit of pink tinge into the picture!
We then hit the unusual salt formations of
Devil's Golf Course and checked out the salt water springs
at Badwater. There have been improvements made to the parking
area and ramps at Badwater, making the place more visitor-friendly.
The "SEA LEVEL" sign 282 feet up on the scarp has
been redone as well.
We took the road south to Shoshone out of
the park. Gravel had been washed onto it by monsoon-fed
thunderstorms the day before. It was a harbinger of things
to come. We drove through Pahrump and spent the night in Las
Vegas. Even if you're not a gambler, Vegas is an interesting
place to visit at least once, and all the neon is quite an
anachronistic shock after bumping around the hinterlands.
The next morning we tried to find gypsum crystals at a remote
playa. We made a poor entry point choice, got a flat tire,
slid around in unexpected mud, nearly got zapped by lightning,
and got chased out by flash foods, but that's a story for
another day.
Dodging a second thunderstorm, we joined
up to the Excelsior Mine Road and then across Interstate 15
to the Cima volcanic fields. I must say, there is nothing
like rain in the desert -- at a distance. After hiking around
the basalts of various ages with satellite images in radar
and infrared, we decided to visit the biggest Aeolian features
around: Kelso Dunes.
We made it in time to climb to the top for sunset.
After all that, it was a fast drive
west on I-40 and back to I-15, and then home to Los Angeles.
What a loop -- 1,200 miles in four days! On trips like this,
it's difficult not to think big thoughts. A multi-million-year
story of change has been writ large across the landscape.
Even if you don't cover 1,200 miles in four days, get out
there and see it for yourself!
Mark
Helmlinger
August 7, 2005
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