Death Valley Field Trip

The following is not meant to be a complete description of a

Geology field trip done through Palomar College where my daughter, Susan,

is enrolled in the Geology of National Parks and Monuments class.

The trip included many stops to look at specific rock formations

but I am only hitting upon some of the places we visited in case some of

you ever have the opportunity to visit Death Valley.

Friday afternoon we took a four hour drive up road 215 north to

Baker then Rd 127 for 30 miles to a campsite where we pitched our tent

for the night and almost froze!

Saturday at 0800 we left with 35 cars and almost 100 people for

Saratoga Spring which was just off of Rd 127 and somewhat near our

camping area. These were salt springs and contained small "Pup" fish

about one inch long which I never did see. They are only found in Death

Valley springs and creeks. At all sights the history (geology) was

discussed and pointed out.

Then back to Rd 127 north to Ashford Mill ruins where they used

to processed ore for gold.

Then to Badwater where we walked around the many pools of "bad

water." This is he lowest point in North American being as much as 280

feet below sea level.

From there off the main road to see the Natural Bridge formed in

a gully by water erosion back off of one of the many alluvian fans that

we came in contact with. It was a fairly vigorous hike. It was so

interesting to see how the Death Valley area was and is being shaped by

water errosion even to this day in a desert valley supposedly without

water.

Then another gravel road into Artists Palette where the rock

formations were greatly colored ..purple, red, orange, and green.

Next it was the Devil’s Golf Course where the salts had

crystallized into mostly 4-5 foot wide pentagon shapes of crystalized

salts which forced a lot of crystalline material upward. The area was

filled with many small holes like on a golf course said humerously to be

made by "salt gophers."

We then entered the town of Furnace Creek where we camped at

Texas Spring camping area. We were on a high hill overlooking Death

Valley and unfortunately, we were exposed to rather high winds but we

were somewhat warmer.

Sunday it was out on the road again at 0800 with a stop at the

Harmony Borax Works where they had a display of the "20 mule team" rigs

and the crystal growing vats. It needs to be mentioned that each of our

stops had display boards with pictures and descriptions besides what was

said by Dr. Spear.

From there it was a longer trip on Rd 374 to Rhyolite Nevada

where we saw an old gold mining town. Then back to Death Valley on a

gravel road off of 374 which took us back into the park again through

Leadfield (a gost town), then down Titus Canyon which displayed all sorts

of wonders in the form of billions of years or rock/land formation.

How the earth over the years in this area has split, dropped,

raised, faulted, folded, bulldozed by glaciers, and eroded, is almost

beyond belief. If only we could have a picture of the place every 1,000

years, we would have a moving pictures which would be most exciting and

informative.

Next we dashed up to Ubehebe Crater which has "blown" its top on

many occasions. Really a great looking crater.

From Ubehebe we returned to our campsite at Texas Spring only to

find with the sunset that our tent had been turned over by severe winds.

We suffered no damage but others had ripped tents. We redid everything

and had one of the best nights sleep of the three even if we did have to

park the car beside the tent for wind protection. We did not want to

fight the wind and cold anymore so we had a warm dinner at Furnace Creek

Ranch Cafe.

Monday morning at 0800 we left for Dantes View and at 5,500 feet

we could see almost all of Death Valley besides the snow capped Mt.

Whitney at 14,375 feet in the Sierra Nevada. The view was spectacular and

gave us an excellent overview of the areas we had visited or were about

to visit. On the other side of Death Valley was the highest point,

Telescope Peak where there were a stand of bristlecone pines some of

the oldest living trees in the world.

Salt Creek which was an interesting little stream out among the

salt flats. Again we missed the pup fish.

Next it was a stop at Stovepipe Wells sand dunes with a lecture

on its formation of shifting sand.

After having lunch in our cars, we took off for Wildrose Canyon

where we saw dramatic evidence of the earth folding as you would a sheet

of paper. We were at the exact fold point and could easily see the

crease.

Further up the canyon we came upon the ten charcoal kilns near

Thorndike and Mahogany Flat miners turned the pine trees into charcoal

for fuel use down in the valley.

Remember, we had many stops along the way where particular rock

formations were pointed out and explained and this little essay is only

intended to give you a feeling for Death Valley’s attractions and in hope

that you might consider visiting it sometime ...preferably during the

winter months if you know what is good for you. I would also suggest

staying away during any rains since flash floods are deadly.

Remember, this is Death Valley!

There are many places for tent and trailer camping in the area of

Death Valley. Entrance fee was $10 and camping fee per night (tent) at

park locations was $10 per night although with my special Golden Age

Passport the fee was zero and the camping only $5 per night.

The roads are very good except for the gravel roads and they can

most often be washboard. For our trip, you only needed a car which did

not have low clearance. A 4-wheel drive is only needed to visit several

locations not visited by us.

An unexpected surprise was the finding of a lady in the

class who has been in Wakarusa, Indiana, (population then and now about

1,000) many times and has relation living there now!