Riding Through The Valley Of Death

The actual trip begins just outside the village of Shoshone (90 miles west of Las Vegas). You better refuel here, because the next pump is up to 72 miles in the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. The number 178 you take is called Badwater Road, because it will take you to the Badwater Basin, which is at a record low.

The road initially crosses the Black Mountain Mountains, where the Salsberry Pass (1,010 m above sea level) awaits you. After that, it will descend more than a kilometer lower into Death Valley. Surprisingly, sparse vegetation also grows here. The valley itself is interesting mainly in that the surrounding mountains exceed it by several kilometers and make it quite interesting scenery.

Some mountain scenery here is also breathtaking, for some it is slightly depressing due to its aridity.

The permanent inhabitants of the valley are relatively numerous coyotes. Despite the ban on feeding, which is issued in the park, it is certainly violated by some visitors, otherwise they would not move so close to people.

The altitude is still falling and the salt ** Badwater Basin ** is already appearing on the horizon.

Badwater Basin is really such a mudflat with salt crystals. Don't really get out of the way.

At the lowest point of North America –85.5 meters below sea level, there is also a short hiking trail into the salt marsh.

Following the hiking trail, you can take a short walk along the salt flats. If you don't have sunglasses, you will suffer quite a bit here. Also interesting are the mountains on the horizon, including the highest – Telescope peak, on the tops of which there is snow until the end of spring, although at the same time there is already over 40 degrees Celsius down in the valley. The record fell here in 1913, when the thermometer was said to show up to 57 degrees Celsius.

Another nice place along the way are the colorful mountains. The side one-way road Artist´s Drive leads to them. If you want to explore them more, go there and enjoy the greatest attractions in the form of colored combs Artist´s Palatte

At the junction of Highway 190 is the ** Furnace Creek ** Visitor Center, which looks a bit like a small oasis. You can refuel, stay or eat here.

As a monument to the mining of Borax, there is also a historic train on display.

Another interesting place on the way, where you will probably quite stay are the nice sand dunes near the village of Stovepipe Wells – Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.

The road leads further to the town of Panamint Springs, where a massive climb and crossing of Towne Pass (1,511 m above sea level) awaits you. Along the way, you will encounter signs with car warning warnings during this trip.