Death Valley Visitors Guide - 11th Edition

Death Valley Vistiors Guide • 11th Edition 19 s0RIVATE(OT3PRINGSs-OTELs#ABINS s260ARK s#AMPING s""1s#RAFT"EER 4ECOPA(OT3PRINGS2OAD 4ECOPA#! WWWDELIGHTSHOTSPRINGSRESORTCOM I n the fall of 1926, the Borax Company was nearing com- pletion of its new hotel, the Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley. Knowing they would need scenic points of inter- est for their guests to visit when they arrived, hotel execu- tives asked residents in nearby towns if they knew of a par- ticular “jaw-dropping” viewpoint. More specifically, the mining executives were looking for an accessible view point that would provide not only sweeping vistas of the Valley, but of far off Mt. Whitney as well. This would give tourists the thrill of seeing both the lowest and highest points in the contiguous United States from the same spot. Businessmen in the gateway town of Beatty, Nevada tried to promote a nearby area known as Chloride Cliffs which they fittingly renamed “the Rim of Hell.” They convinced Nevada governor James Srugham to fund the widening and improving of a road to the point through Nevada, and on into California as well! When the Borax Company and their railroad partners came out to take a look, they agreed that this might just be the view spot they were looking for. But as the group was returning to Los Angles, they stopped in the small town of Shoshone and asked long time local Charles Brown if he knew of a better spot. “I don’t pay much attention to scenery,” said Charles. “But I know one view that made me stop and look.” When he took the party to it, they immediately agreed. Far below lie the shimmering salt flats of Badwater, at 282 feet below sea level, while in the far off distance glimmered the Sierra Crest just north of Mt Whitney. A road was quickly graded and a small six- sided glass-in observatory was erected at the top. The name of the viewpoint was said to have been inspired by Dante’s description of Purgatory. Today, a well-designed paved roads winds its way to the parking area at Dante’s View. Located about a 30 minute drive from Furnace Creek, the views from the top are truly stunning and breathtaking. Not only can one see the two aforementioned spots, but a multitude of others as well. Telescope Peak, rising two miles above the great Valley’s floor looms grandly to the west. The views up and down the Valley offer vistas so vast and “other worldly” that they were used as a backdrop in the original Star Wars movie. To the east is majestic Mt. Charleston, home to the Las Vegas area’s only ski resort. Straight down, cars crawl their way along the Park’s road like ants. The view from Dante’s view is spectacular no matter what time of day you make it there. But should time allow, arriving in the early morning and watching the desert sky pass from inky black through indigo, deep purple, violet, red, orange, yellow and on to bright white, is an experience one will never forget. And watching the sun go down and the lights go out on the great Valley at sunset is an experience that will rival that of sunrise. There are short hikes that lead north and south of the parking area. There is no longer an observatory but primitive restrooms are located at a switchback about 1/4 mile before the top. Take a jacket, pack a snack or a meal, and spend some time at this magical Death Valley spot. You’ll find the time you spend here very well worth it. Dante’s View overlooks Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation spot in North America. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PHOTO. Dante’s View : The “jaw-dropping” vista Dante’s View