Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2019/2020

Dantes View Located at an elevation of 5,758 feet directly above the Badwater Basin is Dante’s View. This extremely scenic view spot provides vistas of almost all of Death Valley. One can look straight down to the Bad- water Basin and directly across to the Panamint Mountains and Tele- scope Peak. Far off to the west, are seen the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and to the east, numerous desert mountain ranges of Nevada. Located 25 miles east and south of Furnace Creek. The last few miles of road- way are steep and narrow. Zabriskie Point This viewpoint is accessed by a short drive and a steep short walk on a paved trail. The scene overlooks the beautifully eroded and color- ful hills referred to as the badlands. Telescope Peak can be seen in the distance as well as the soaring peaks of the Funeral Range. Zabriskie Point is a favorite of photographers, providing perfect opportunities at sunrise and sunset. Located 2 1/2 miles east of Furnace Creek. Golden Canyon Penetrating deep into Death Valley’s Black Mountains is aptly named Golden Canyon. Especially in the morning light, the canyon walls glow magically with a flaxen hue. Golden Canyon is a hike, but one can get an intimate feel for it by walking just a few feet past its mouth. More adventurous trekkers can choose among a number of longer hikes. Located two miles south of Furnace Creek. Salt Creek One of the few places on the actual floor of Death Valley where wa- ter flows, Salt Creek meanders along the surface on and off for several miles. This unique environment also provides habitat for Death Val- ley’s only native species of fish, the Desert Pupfish. Visitors can follow a wooden boardwalk along the banks of this desert treasure on a self- guided half mile nature walk. Located 13 ½ miles north of Furnace Creek, then a one mile graded dirt road. Mesquite Sand Dunes Just a few miles west of Stovepipe Wells Village lies one of Death Valley’s most popular attractions, the Mesquite Sand Dunes. Covering over 14 square miles, the dunes provide some of the most dramatic scenery in the park. Sunrise and sunset are both great times to catch just the right shot. Watch for the signed turnout about 23 miles north and west of Furnace Creek. Ubehebe Crater Most visitors are taken aback when they approach the yawning ex- panse of Ubehebe Crater for the first time. This “Maar” Volcano was created by a steam explosion as recent as only 300 years ago. 600’ deep and over a half mile across, visitors can take a steep path to the bottom (and back up), walk around its rim and simply stand at the edge of the parking area and take in the overwhelming scene. Located 57 miles north of Furnace Creek. The last five miles are on a narrow roadway. Wildrose Charcoal Kilns The Death Valley area has a rich mining history. Silver, gold, borax and talc are just come of the minerals that have been mined here. The ten Wildrose Charcoal Kilns are located at 7000 feet high up in the Panamint Mountains in a Pinion Pine Forest. These nearly perfect pieces of architecture were built in 1877 to produce charcoal for near- by silver smelters. About 62 miles from Furnace Creek, the last three miles on a graded dirt road. Artist Drive This scenic one-way, semi-loop paved road twists, winds, climbs and dips its way through some of the most colorful scenery in Death Valley. Highlight of the nine mile trip is the Artist Pallate, where hues of greens, purples, oranges, browns and yellows blend together in a kaleidoscope of color. Entrance to Artist Drive is located about 10 miles south of Furnace Creek. 2019-2020 Scenic 395 25 Beatty and Death Valley Continued from Page 24 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK PHOTO Badwater Basin is the lowest spot in North America, resting at 282 feet below sea level. DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK PHOTO The sprawling Mesquite Sand Dunes, just outside of Stovepipe Wells Village. NOW AVAILABLE: LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION Get a PDF of every future Scenic 395 for one low price: $47.50. Email scenicadsales@gmail.com for more information.