Everything in this park is a long way away. Our original plans had been to move campsites but the ones near the Visitor Center were not much nicer so we decided to stay where we are. Since we drove 30 miles to the Visitor Center we opted to explore this area today so we drove another 3 miles to Golden Canyon Trail. It was described as an easy 2 mile round trip but the sign at the start of the trail indicated that we could add some other hikes and extend it to 4 - 5 miles. So we did that! The Golden Canyon trail went up between two gold colored walls but you could see the Red Cathedral Cliffs behind them. As we went further up the trail, the canyon became narrower to a point where we scrambled over large rocks and boulders to access the end of the canyon. And it was worth it as we were right up against the Red Cathedral Cliffs. They were beautiful!
We walked back about 1/2 mile and then took the Zabriskie Point trail that rose up about 500 feet to a view point overlooking many, many alluvial fans scattered across the valley. Then we walked down thru Gower Gulch along a wash, across two dry falls of rocks and then a long path at the base of the mountain back to the parking lot. We estimate about a 5 mile walk.
After lunch we drove down to Badwater, another 14 miles down the road. Any water found in Death Valley is full of salt and minerals. When this area was discovered the miner's donkey would not drink the water so he named it Badwater. This is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. We walked about 1/2 mile out into the salt flats which are not really flat but mud and salt broken ground. On the way back towards the Visitor Center at Furnace Creek, we stopped at The Devil's Golf Course. The ground here looks like freshly turned soil except that it is all salt crystals which are hard and very sharp. Someone made the comment that only the Devil could play on a golf course like this. Then near the visitor center we discover a resort with a golf course! Can you imagine playing golf in Death Valley? Maybe Saturday!
The drive back to the campground was about 30 miles. We took a short break, cooled off (the temp was at 86°) and then took another hike thru Mosaic Canyon which was located just across the road from the RV. The beginning of this trail took us thru polished marble walled canyon. It was so pretty. The upper end of the canyon was quite wide but narrowed towards the end. We did not go all the way to the end as we were pretty tired. We estimate it was a 2.5 mile hike.
Hot showers, Ahi Tuna for supper and an ice cream treat. Great Day!
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