Death Valley is a land of contasts. The surface here is composed entirely of salt deposits that are mostly covered in mud. There are a few spires further down the valley but, even here, there are some amazing shapes and formations. 
As far as the eye can see......
The highest peaks in the Panamints are snow covered.
Once in a while I wonder why we climb these rough, steep trails that lead to just one more mine.....
then the colors are so lovely......
and the views so breathtaking, well, I just can't wait until we climb the next one.
The next one.
As far as the eye can see......
The highest peaks in the Panamints are snow covered.
Once in a while I wonder why we climb these rough, steep trails that lead to just one more mine.....
then the colors are so lovely......
and the views so breathtaking, well, I just can't wait until we climb the next one.
The next one.
The rail for the ore cars in still intact.
Years later not many mining areas have buildings and artifacts that are in such good condition. Note the rock wall through the windows.
I found this hillside interesting in that it was dark in composition with white chunks of talc all over it. It gave the impression that someone stood for days and threw pieces randomly. More likely they were spewed from a volcano although we saw no signs of a cinder cone. One of life's mysteries? 
20,000 years ago the valley was filled with a lake 90 miles long, 6 to 11 miles wide and up to 600 feet deep. Prevailing winds from the north drove the waves against the mountainsides.
What appear to be terraces were worn into the rock by those waves.
Sunset in the southern portion of the valley
Years later not many mining areas have buildings and artifacts that are in such good condition. Note the rock wall through the windows.
I found this hillside interesting in that it was dark in composition with white chunks of talc all over it. It gave the impression that someone stood for days and threw pieces randomly. More likely they were spewed from a volcano although we saw no signs of a cinder cone. One of life's mysteries? 
20,000 years ago the valley was filled with a lake 90 miles long, 6 to 11 miles wide and up to 600 feet deep. Prevailing winds from the north drove the waves against the mountainsides.
What appear to be terraces were worn into the rock by those waves.
Sunset in the southern portion of the valley
