April 10, 2016 Trip to Death Valley

Sunday, April 10, 2016 Trip to Death Valley

As we entered into Death Valley National Park the landscapes changed dramatically.  The mountain ranges were of all different colors.  Our first stop was a 26 mile round trip to Dante's View.  This was about a 3000 ft elevation change before we arrived at the top.  We were shocked!!!! The view was breathtaking.  You could not only see the surrounding mountain ranges but you could see the white salt flats below.  Our next stop was to Natural Bridge Canyon.  Nice 2 mile hike.  We then started to head for the Badwater Salt Flats.  In order to fully experience this site one has to walk out to the flats.  The white salt crystals were beautiful and it was blinding just like sand on the beach or snow.  Our final stop was to see Artists Palette.  This area showed us all different splashes of color.

We did want to go see Scotty's Castle but the road was washed out and damaged was done by the floods in October.  Maybe another time.

I guess what I thought Death Valley should look like wasn't even close to what it really looked like.
Very enjoyable day.

HERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT SHOTS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT COLORS

HERE ARE SOME DESERT FLOWERS BLOOMING CALL IT MEGA BLOOM DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN

View of Salt Flats from up high at Dante's View

Another shot from Dante's View

Natural Bridge

The Canyon leading out from the Natural Bridge

CHECK OUT THE ELEVATION LOWEST POINT IN THE UNITED STATES

Badwater Basin

Pat on the Salt Flats

Closeup of the salt crystals

Artists Palette-beautiful colors

Something we haven't seen since the New Year--RAIN!!!!!!!