Eureka Dunes

I made my annual trip to Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park and was still blown away despite the cold temperatures. Along with my friend Lian, her first visit, we climbed to the very top of the dunes, some 700 feet on the first day and explored the smaller dunes the next morning. These images are from Day One.

On top of the world!

Eureka Dunes-Post 2

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

More from Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California.

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The Last Chance Mountains and Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California

The Incredible Eureka Dunes

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

One of my favorite places on Planet Earth, Eureka Dunes is in a very remote part of Death Valley National Park. The dunes reach some 700 feet into the California sky and stretch for about 2 miles on the ground. I come here at least once a year and visited a spot I hadn’t been to. On this visit, no Navy Jets buzzed me but that may have had something to do with the brief government shutdown.

This is the first of two posts.

Death Valley Night Sky

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

While camping at Eureka Dunes last week, I decided to get the camera out for some night sky images. Dune photos to follow soon. The bright star at the top of images 1 and 3 is Sirius.

Stars are abundant at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California

Eureka Dunes In Detail

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

The finer details of Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park.

Eureka Dunes In The Abstract

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks, Photography

The lines and shapes of the sand dunes at Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park make for some good abstract images. The contrast between shadows and highlights also accentuate the abstractness.

The Remote Eureka Valley

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks, Weather

Eureka Valley is located within Death Valley National Park and was added to the park when Death Valley became a national park in 1994. Death Valley NP is now the largest national park in the lower 48 states at over 3.3 million acres, 50% more than Yellowstone. Ninety One per cent of the park is designated wilderness and Eureka Valley is definitely wilderness. It is approximately 28 miles long and up to 10 miles wide. Eureka Valley could be its own national park. The valley is known for its soaring sand dunes, the colorful Last Chance Range and views to the snow-capped White Mountains that reach some 14,000 feet into the air.

Clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California

Texas Spring, Marble Canyon, Cottonwood Canyon, Stovepipe Wells Village, Stovepipe Wells Dunes, Devil's Cornfield, Scotty's Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Crankshaft Junction, Eureka Dunes. We camped at Eureka Dunes. 164 miles, 10 hours 24 minutes — Eureka Valley, upper left on map, is a 2 hour drive from the center of Death Valley NP, mostly on dirt and gravel roads.

Fog envelops the Last Chance Mountains at Death Valley National Park, California — Colorful strata are the predominate feature of the aptly named Last Chance Range.

The snow-covered White Mountains as seen from Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California — The snow-covered White Mountains as seen from Eureka Valley.

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California — Lazy clouds pass over Eureka Valley.

A nearly full moon rises through the clouds over Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California — A full moon lights up the landscape over Eureka Dunes.

High winds kick up dust at Eureka Valley at Death Valley National Park, California — High winds kick up sand at Eureka Valley and eventually settles at the south end where the dunes reside.

The shapes and lines at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California — The dunes rise up to 700 feet, amongst the tallest in North America.

The road to Eureka Dunes ar Death Valley National Park, California — The dunes look rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Threatening clouds pass over Eureka Valley during sunset at Death Valley National Park, California — Sunset over the valley.

Mammals burrow into the sand at Eureka Dunes at Death Valley National Park, California — Small mammals survive here by burrowing into the sand for relief. These nests are home to the kangaroo rat.

Rain makes an occasional appearance at Death Valley, but only a few inches annually.

Death Valley Fighter Jet Captured!

California, Death Valley, Desert Southwest, National Parks

You may remember last year I got the rush of my life when a fighter jet at Death Valley National Park buzzed right over me. The Ultimate Rush?

I went back to the same spot the other day and this time, I had my camera ready. Now I did not have a fighter jet fly right over me but this one was fairly close. The sounds of its engine penetrated my psyche but I did get some decent photos. I planned to video a jet flying over me but it never happened again while I was there for 2 days. More photos of my Death Valley trip to follow soon.