Sandstorm

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.

I made a trip this past week to the remote Racetrack Playa at Death Valley National Park in California. The road out there is a teeth-rattling 27 miles of washboarded surface. There were only a few other vehicles out there, this is not a trip for the meek. I was just happy that my Ford Ranger managed to stay in one piece, but barely.

Racetrack Playa is famous for its moving or sailing rocks. These rocks move without human interference on this extremely flat dry lake bed and leave a trail behind. Scientists believe the movement is produced by high winds when the surface either becomes wet or possibly frozen from a cold night.

You want to talk about flat! The Racetrack is 2.8 miles long but the north end is only 1 1/2 inches higher than the south end.

On this day, the winds were extremely strong with gusts up to 50 mph. It knocked over my camera and tripod at one point but I was there to catch.

Look for a future post where I actually capture the rocks MOVING in a time lapse video! Never been done before. Posts of Eureka Dunes, the Owens Valley and The Sierra Nevada’s will follow later this week.

Death Valley Clouds — Joshua Trees along the way.

Teakettle Junction_4038 — Teakettle Junction

Death Valley Sandstorm — Brutal sandstorm

Tag: Sandstorm

The Remote Eureka Valley

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Death Valley’s Racetrack Playa

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