032214 Day 2 in Death Valley

On our 2nd day in DVNP, we moved to Furnace Creek Ranch Fiddlers Campground.  But before we left Mesquite Spring, I got a few photos at sun rise.

While driving down to Furnance Creek we stopped at the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes.  We also stopped at Salt Creek, where the Salt Creek Pupfish lives.  It's believed to be the last know survivor from the large lake that used to cover Death Valley.  The lake dried up at the end of the last ice age.

This fish is about the size of a medium size minnow.

Later we drove down to Bad Water Basin.  This is the lowest spot in the Western Hemisphere.  It is dry, and covered with salt.  After a rain, the water will collect and form a shallow "lake".  The water will evaporate, and more salt will form.  Glad there was no water here.

We drove throw Artist's Drive on the way back to our camp site.  Unfortunately, the sun was still high in the sky.  The colors, I understand, really stand out with the sun low in the sky.

We were going to walk the Golden Canyon trail after going through the Artist's Drive.  However a strong wind began, and didn't stop all night.  The gusts were as high as 45 mph.  The wind storm left a dusty film inside the trailer.

The only consolation was the temperature was about 20 degrees lower.

Day three in Death Valley will be in Part 3.