Death Valley National Park U

National Park Service Death Valley National Park U. S. Department of the Interior

Visitor Guide Fall & Winter 2012 / 2013

Dantes View, Snow over Badwater by Tom Trujillo A Message From The Superintendent

Welcome to Death Valley We have made great strides in im- place for me. I will long remember Temperatures National Park! Depending when proving our outstanding dark sky the wide open landscape, the warm you are reading this, I may no lon- resources by improving external winter days, the striking blue skies. Monthly Average Temperatures ger be in the park, as I will return lighting in the Furnace Creek and And there’s nothing like a sunset January 67°F / 19°C 40°F / 4°C to the very first park I worked at Stovepipe Wells areas. We encour- over the Panamints. February 73°F / 23°C 46°F / 8°C in my home state of Kentucky— age visitors to join our rangers for I invite you to enjoy these same March 82°F / 27°C 55°F / 13°C Mammoth Cave. our night sky events which are held experiences and to protect this April 90°F / 32°C 62°F / 17°C My tenure in Death Valley has monthly. national treasure for the people of May 100°F / 38°C 73°F / 23°C been an experience I never could We have grown as an organiza- today and into the future, just as June 110°F / 43°C 81°F / 27°C have predicted. I have worked with tion with the help of our numerous past leaders did for us. July 116°F / 47°C 88°F / 31°C a wonderful staff who championed partners. The Death Valley Natural August 115°F / 46°C 86°F / 30°C many important projects—the History Association continues to September 106°F / 41°C 76°F / 24°C most notable being the renova- support several programs in the Sarah Craighead October 93°F / 34°C 61°F / 16°C tion of the Furnace Creek Visitor park from the sales in the book- Park Superintendent November 77°F / 25°C 48°F / 9°C Center. This remarkable project stores. The Death Valley ‘49ers December 65°F / 18°C 38°F / 3°C transformed the 1959-60 con- also contribute to the Death Valley Death Valley National Park structed facility, landscape and R.O.C.K.S. educational program as Official weather station at Furnace Creek interpretive exhibits into a LEED- well as support local youth for con- Record High: 134°F / 57°C July 1913 certified visitor-friendly complex, tinuing education. The work that Record Low: 15°F / -9°C January 1913 while preserving its Mid–Century the Death Valley Conservancy has Modern design. The new park film, initiated to restore historic Ryan narrated by Donald Sutherland, Camp will preserve this unique What’s Inside? is exceptional and highlights cultural resource into the future. the unique qualities of the park. At the Furnace Creek Inn & Help Protect Your Park ...... 2 Energy efficiencies incorporated Ranch Resort, Xanterra Survive!...... 3 into the new building will save the Parks & Resorts park thousands of dollars each is a partner that What To See...... 4 year. provides an excep- Walks & Hikes...... 5 We also completed the tional venue for many Wilderness and Backcountry events and unforgettable Park Map...... 6 & 7 Stewardship Plan which outlines services for our park visitors. Visitor Center...... 8 management strategies for 3.2 And at Stovepipe Wells, the Death Valley Lodging Company million acres of wilderness and Ranger Programs...... 9 backcountry within the park. The is working to improve visitor expe- plan formally proposes actions that riences in a number of ways. Park News...... 10 will be implemented in much of the Death Valley National Park Humans...... 11 park for the next 20 years. will always be a special Visitor Services...... 12

Death Valley Visitor Guide 1 Help Protect Your Park Rules to Live by in Your National Park Entrance Fees Many park rangers are federal law enforcement officers. They help pro- Pay the park entrance fee at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, Scotty’s Castle tect the park and its visitors by enforcing a wide range of federal, state and Visitor Center, Stovepipe Wells Ranger Station or at one of the automated fee local regulations. You can help them by observing these laws: machines placed throughout the park. 7-day pass Lifetime Pass yy Obey the speed limit and other yy Camp only in established Vehicle and passengers...... $20 Interagency Senior Pass...... $10 rules of the road. Helmets and campgrounds or in a permit- Individual entering on motorcycle, (for U.S. citizens 62+) seatbelts are required in Death ted backcountry area. Check bicycle, or foot...... $10 Interagency Access Pass...... free Valley National Park. at a Ranger Station or Visitor Annual Pass (for U.S. citizens with disability) Center for backcountry camping Other passes honored...... y Death Valley Annual Pass...... $40 y Stay out of closed areas. Mines, information. Golden Age & Golden Access service roads, and other areas are Interagency Annual Pass...... $80 closed for your safety or the pro- yy It is illegal to discharge a fire- Interagency Military Pass...... free tection of features therein. arm anywhere in Death Valley or to (for active duty military and dependents) bring one into a Federal building. yy Let wild animals find their own food. They’re good at it and feed- yy Keep pets on leash and close to Don’t Steal the “Silverware” ing them is against the law. roads or parking lots. Pets are not allowed on trails or in wilderness. While visiting the White House, Visiting any of our national yy Rocks, plants, animals, and would you take a piece of silver- parks is similar to visiting muse- historic objects in Death Valley are yy Put garbage where it belongs. ware home for a keepsake? How ums or art galleries. You certainly protected just like in a museum. Litter in the desert spoils the land- about tearing off a piece of the wouldn’t think of taking an artifact Vandalism and theft are prohibited. scape for each person that follows Declaration of Independence? Or or painting home from such places. behind you. spray painting your name on the Removing anything from our yy Keep your car on established Statue of Liberty? national parks means that other roads. Unsightly tire tracks in the yy Campfires are allowed in es- visitors will not be able to enjoy it. desert destroy fragile plants and tablished firepits only. Gathering Believe it or not these acts of vandalism do happen in our na- If each of the 275 million visitors wildlife and scar the landscape for firewood is prohibited. took away a flower or a stone or decades. tional parks. Picking wildflowers, taking home stones or arrowheads anything from the parks they visit, as keepsakes, and defacing canyon they would leave behind empty walls with graffiti are all actions landscapes. that degrade the parks for other Help protect America’s national visitors. In addition, it’s against the parks by leaving everything in its law. place and not defacing the natural resources. Other park visitors and future generations will thank you.

Do You Want to Be a Scientist? Around the world, visitors to re- their burrows to escape extreme mote locations are providing valuable heat or cold. data to researchers by their observa- The Desert Managers Group tions. Your personal observations of has developed a free app for wildlife can be very valuable. Death smartphones so Valley National Park is currently you can provide designing a database that will hold information on visitor data and allow us to develop tortoise sightings distribution maps of wildlife through- to National Park out the park. Two species of special Service staff. Native rock nettle in Titus Canyon interest are the Nelson’s bighorn sheep and the desert tortoise. Other wildlife species observations are welcome also. Please be Desert Invaders Bighorn sheep spend much of as accurate as possible and include their time in rugged and inaccessi- your contact information. Photos To preserve the desert landscape Another way to help preserve ble locations. It can be challenging provide great information and are in Death Valley National Park, we the desert landscape is to ensure and expensive to collect popula- always appreciated. Thank you for must actively manage non-native there are no unwanted hitch- tion data. participating as a visitor scientist! species and quickly identify new hikers on your car or your The desert tortoise population invaders. In Death Valley, we cur- clothes. Before you enter a Please fill out a wildlife sighting has severly declined across the form available at any visitor center. rently enjoy a wild landscape that is park, check underneath Mojave Desert in the past few largely unimpaired. We need your your vehicle and inside the decades. Surveying for a cryptic, help to keep it that way. grill for weeds that low-density species can mean A smartphone applica- might have tumbled Hikers can easily find solitude and silence hours/days of searching with lim- in the Wilderness of Death Valley tion is now available for into your car. Also, ited results. Tortoises in Death free from whatsinvasive. check your clothes Valley are generally active during com to help you report and shoelaces for mild weather, retreating into non-native species to seeds before setting National Park Service out for a hike. If you staff. Don’t worry if you don’t do find seeds, seal them have cell reception, your report in a plastic bag and will be uploaded as soon as you are throw them within service. In the springtime, away. during wildflower season, Death Valley is on high alert for Saharan mustard (Brassica tournefortii) and malcolmia (Malcolmia africana). You don’t need an app to report sightings of these plants. Just let someone at a visitor center know. Photos and maps are helpful!

2 Death Valley Visitor Guide Survive! Personal Survival In a Land of Extremes yy Hiking: Do not hike in the low elevations when temperatures are hot.

yy Dangerous Creatures: Never place your hands or feet where you cannot see first. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, or black widow spiders may be sheltered there.

yy Mine Hazards: Do not enter mine tunnels or shafts. Mines may be unstable, have hidden shafts, pockets of bad air and poisonous gas. Stay Out Stay Alive.

yy Flash Floods: Avoid canyons Echo Canyon Road during rain storms and be prepared to move to higher ground. Hantavirus While driving, be alert for water yy Water: Drink at least one gal- running in washes and across the Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome How can HPS be prevented? lon (4 liters) of water per day to re- road. Water can carry rocks and (HPS) is a rare but frequently fatal yy Do not use structures if you place loss from perspiration. Carry debris with it and may suddenly respiratory disease that occurs find signs of rodent droppings, plenty of extra drinking water in appear around the next curve in throughout the United States and is nests & burrows. your car. the roadway. caused by a virus spread to humans through contact with the urine, yy Do not clean cabins or other yy Heat & Dehydration: If you yy In Case of Emergency: Dial droppings, or saliva of infected structures - stirring up dust in- feel dizzy, nauseous or get a head- 911 from any telephone or cell rodents. creases the potential of inhalation. ache, get out of the sun immedi- phone. Cell phones may not work In Death Valley National Park, ately and drink plenty of water. in many parts of the park. Do not yy Air out cabins and other struc- deer mice, cactus mice, and wood- Dampen clothing to lower your depend on them. tures for at least 2 hours before body temperature. Heat and dehy- rats/packrats may carry the virus. occupying them. dration can kill. Cabins and other abandoned structures are likely habitat for rodents yy Do not disturb rodents’ bur- and potential sites where visitors rows, nests or dens. may be exposed to the virus. It is transmitted to people when yy Avoid camping near rodent they breathe air contaminat- droppings, nests, woodpiles or ed with the virus, touch their dense brush frequented by rodents. mouth or nose after han- yy Wash or sanitize hands if you dling contaminated materi- contact rodents or their excretions. Five Injured in Single- als, eat contaminated food, Vehicle Rollover Accident or are bitten by a rodent. yy Store food in rodent-proof On the evening of July 31, park Anyone who comes into contact containers. rangers responded to a report of with rodents that carry hantavirus y a single-vehicle rollover accident is at risk of HPS. y Promptly dispose of all garbage near the Golden Canyon Trailhead. to avoid attracting rodents. Rangers arriving on scene observed five patients with varying levels of injury. Two patients were suffering Roadrunner with prey from only minor injuries and refused transport to a hospital. The other Backcountry Travel: Read This Before You Go! three were transported by NPS ambulance to Desert View Regional Medical Center in Pahrump, Nevada. You’ve got two flat tires. Your cell phone doesn’t work. Nobody knows where you are. You’re not sure where you are. You haven’t seen another car since you turned off the highway 12 hours ago. The only thing you can A subsequent investigation hear is the ringing in your ears. Is this how you thought it would end? showed that the driver had become momentarily distracted and over- Most backcountry emergencies begin in fairly commonplace ways: your car gets a flat tire, you run out of corrected when he felt the vehicle’s gas, you sprain your ankle while on a hike, or you get disoriented and turned around in the desert landscape. tires hit the gravel road shoulder. Things that are easy to address in most places quickly become life-threatening emergencies in the backcountry The corrective action caused the ve- as heat, cold, exhaustion, dehydration, isolation, and panic set in. hicle to leave the roadway at a high rate of speed, rolling twice before No matter what kind of adventure or experience you pursue in Death Valley, a little planning and caution will coming to rest on the desert floor. send you home with happy and fun-filled memories of your desert trip. Have a safe and inspiring visit to Death Valley by following these tips from the rangers: Dozens of these accidents occur in Death Valley every year, and are the single leading cause of fatalities in yy Plan your visit. Do you have yy Have the necessary tools canyons. Common sense and good the park. Without cell service in the the appropriate vehicle, tires, tools, (rental cars often lack the proper tire judgment are far more reliable. valley, it is not uncommon for an camping gear, maps, and skills for changing tools!) and know how to hour or more to elapse before emer- your intended route? Do you have use them. yy Call someone at home and gency responders arrive at enough fuel and water? tell them specifically where you the scene of an accident. If you aren’t sure, ask a yy Bring food, water and other are going. Have them call 1-888- By observing ranger. essentials for several days, even 233-6518 (Emergency Dispatch) if the speed limit if you’re planning a much shorter you do not return when expected: and staying yy Be prepared. If visit. It takes a long time to search 3.4 focused on you’re headed into the million acres of wilderness. We can the road, backcountry, plan on yy Don’t rely on technology. Your find you faster if we know where visitors can changing a flat tire at least cell phone won’t work in most to look and what we’re looking avoid becom- once. Check your rental of the park. Emergency locator for. Complete a backcountry hiker ing victims of beacons have a high failure rate. these tragic accidents. car contract to see if you form at any visitor center to ensure are covered should GPS devices frequently tell Death that we have all the information something happen to Valley visitors to turn off well-trav- needed to find you quickly. your car on an eled roads, and take “shortcuts” unpaved road. over the desert and into isolated

Death Valley Visitor Guide 3 What to See

Furnace Creek Area yy Badwater Basin: The lowest yy Devil’s Golf Course: An im- point in North America, Badwater mense area of rock salt eroded by Basin is a surreal landscape of vast wind and rain into jagged spires. So salt flats. A temporary lake may incredibly serrated that “only the form here after heavy rainstorms. devil could play golf on such rough Do not walk on the salt flats in hot links.” The unpaved road leading weather. Wheelchair accessible. to it is often closed after rain. yy Harmony Borax Works: yy Zabriskie Point: Surrounded Follow an easy 1/4 mile walking by a maze of wildly eroded and trail to learn about this important vibrantly colored badlands, this site in Death Valley’s history. The spectacular view is one of the Harmony Borax operation be- park’s most famous. Zabriskie came famous through the use of Point is a popular sunrise and sun- 20 mule teams that moved bo- set viewing location. The viewpoint rax from Death Valley to nearby is a short walk uphill from the communities. parking area. Telescope Peak reflected in Badwater Pool yy Artist’s Drive: A scenic loop yy Twenty Mule Team Canyon: drive through multi-hued volca- Winding through otherworldly Scotty’s Castle Area nic and sedimentary hills. Artist’s badlands, this 2.7 mile, one-way y y Palette is especially photogenic loop drive is unpaved, but acces- y Scotty’s Castle: Prospector y Eureka Dunes: Rising nearly in late afternoon light. The 9 mile sible to vehicles other than buses, “Death Valley Scotty” claimed this 700 feet, these are the highest paved road is one-way and is only RV’s, and trailers. elaborate Spanish-style mansion dunes in California. Isolated from drivable with vehicles less than was built by gold from his fictitious other dunes, they are an evolu- 25 feet in length. mine. In reality, it was the 1920s va- tionary island, home to rare and cation home of his wealthy friends. endangered species of plants and yy Dante’s View: The most Today, living history tours of the animals. To give them extra pro- breathtaking viewpoint in castle’s richly furnished interior are tection, the dunes are off limits the park, this mountain- given by costumed park rangers. to sandboarding and horseback top overlook is more than Wheelchair accessible. riding. The drive can be rough and 5000 feet above the floor will take approximately 2.5 hours y of Death Valley. The y Ubehebe Crater: Just a few from the end of pavement off of paved access road hundred years ago a massive vol- Scotty’s Castle Road. is open to all ve- canic explosion caused by magma y hicles less than 25 mixing with an underground y The Racetrack: Rocks mys- feet in length. spring, shattered the silence of teriously slide across the dry 1920s era tour bus northern Death Valley. When lakebed of the Racetrack, leaving the cinders and dust settled, this behind long tracks for visitors to 600 foot deep crater remained. ponder. A high-clearance vehicle Stovepipe Wells Area Although easily visible from the with heavy-duty tires is needed to paved road, hikers may want to traverse the 27 miles of rough dirt y y y Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: y Titus Canyon: The largest circle the crater rim to road; ask a ranger for current road Tawny dunes smoothly rise nearly and most diverse canyon in the see smaller conditions. Once you leave pave- 100 feet from Mesquite Flat. Late park. Within its lofty walls visitors craters. ment at Ubehebe Crater the drive afternoon light accentuates the can find volcanic deposits, a ghost will take approximately 2.5 hours ripples and patterns while morn- town, Indian petroglyphs, bighorn one-way to the Racetrack. ing is a good time to view tracks sheep, and deep, winding nar- of nocturnal wildlife. Moonlight rows. Titus Canyon is accessible on the dunes can be magical, yet to high-clearance vehicles via a night explorers should be alert for 26 mile, one-way dirt road begin- Titus Canyon Narrows sidewinder rattlesnakes during the ning outside the park. The trip warm season. will take 3 hours from pavement to pavement. yy Salt Creek: This stream of salty water is the only home to a Beavertail Cactus rare pupfish, Cyprinodon salinus. Panamint Springs Area Springtime is best for viewing pupfish; in summer the lower stream yy Father Crowley Vista: A land- yy Wildrose Charcoal Kilns: dries up and in winter the fish are scape of dark lava flows and vol- These ten beehive-shaped struc- not as active. The wooden board- canic cinders abruptly gives way to tures are among the best preserved walk loops ½ mile through stands the gash of Rainbow Canyon below in the west. Built in 1876 to provide of pickleweed and past pools re- this viewpoint. Walk the dirt track fuel to process silver/lead ore, they flecting badland hills. Wheelchair east of the parking lot for a grand still smell of smoke today. The last accessible. overlook of the northern Panamint 2 miles of gravel road to the kilns Valley. Wheelchair accessible. are passable to most vehicles.

yy Aguereberry Point: One Wildrose Charcoal Kilns thousand feet higher than Dante’s View, this viewpoint gives a per- spective over Death Valley from the west. Along the gravel road are the remains of Pete Aguereberry’s camp and his Eureka Mine. The last climb to the point may require a high-clearance vehicle.

4 Death Valley Visitor Guide Walks & Hikes yy Before starting a hike learn the current conditions, water availability, yy Constructed trails are rare in this park. Trails are provided in places and weather forecasts. Backpackers can obtain a free permit from any visi- that are heavily used and sensitive to damage. If a trail is there, please use tor center. it. Most hiking routes in the park are cross-country, up canyons, or along yy Always carry water. Two liters for a short winter day hike; 4 liters or ridges. Footing can be rough and rocky. more in the summer or for longer hikes. yy Hiking in low elevations can be dangerous when it is hot. The high yy Dogs and bicycles are not allowed on trails or in the Wilderness. peaks can be covered with snow in winter and spring. The best time to hike in the park is October to April.

Trails & Routes Golden Canyon Trail Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Little Hebe Crater Trail Length: 1 mile, one-way. Length: 2 miles to highest dune Length: ½ mile, one-way. Difficulty: Easy Difficulty: Easy to moderate Difficulty: Moderate Start: Golden Canyon parking Start: Sand Dunes parking area near Start: Ubehebe Crater parking area, area, 2 miles south of Hwy 190 on Stove pipe Wells. 8 miles west of Scotty’s Castle. Badwater Road. Description: Graceful desert dunes, Description: Volcanic craters and Description: Easy trail through color- numerous animal tracks. Walk cross- elaborate erosion. Hike along west ful canyon. Red Cathedral located ¼ country to 100 feet high dunes. Best rim of Ubehebe Crater to Little mile up canyon from last numbered in morning or afternoon for dra- Hebe and several other craters. marker. Interpretive trail guides are matic light. Also good for full moon Continue around Ubehebe’s rim for available. hikes. No trail. 1.5 mile loop hike.

Gower Gulch Loop Mosaic Canyon Darwin Falls Length: 4 miles round-trip. Length: ½ to 2 miles, one-way. Length: 1 mile, one-way Difficulty: Moderate Difficulty: Moderate Difficulty: Moderate Start: Golden Canyon parking Start: Mosaic Canyon parking area, Start: Darwin Falls parking area, 2.4 area, 2 miles south of Hwy 190 on 2 miles from Stovepipe Wells Village miles up gravel road toward Darwin, Badwater Rd. on graded gravel road. turn one mile west of Panamint Description: Colorful badlands, Description: Popular walk up a Springs Resort on Hwy 190. canyon narrows, old borax mines. narrow, polished marble-walled Description: Year-round waterfalls Hike up Golden Canyon to marker canyon. First ½ mile is narrowest and lush vegetation tucked into a #10, then follow trail over badlands section. Some slickrock scrambling rugged canyon. Can be overgrown to Zabriskie Point or down Gower necessary. “Mosaics” of fragments and has some rough spots. There is a Gulch (no trail) to finish loop. Two of rocks cemented together can be trail to first waterfall but dangerous easy dryfalls must be scrambled seen in canyon walls. Bighorn sheep cliffs beyond. down. Ask for Gower Gulch hand- sighted occasionally. out at Visitor Center. Titus Canyon Narrows Desolation Canyon Length: 1.5 miles, one-way. Length: 3 miles, round-trip. Difficulty: Easy Difficulty: Moderate Start: Titus Canyon Mouth parking Start: Parking area at end of ½ mile area, 3 miles off Scotty’s Castle Road dirt road off Badwater Road, 3.7 on graded gravel road. miles south of Hwy 190. Description: Easy access to lower Desert Tortoise Darwin Falls Description: Narrow canyon through Titus Canyon. Walk on gravel road MOUNTAIN HIKES colorful badlands. Follow old road Dante’s Ridge up wash 1.5 miles through narrows and then main wash east continuing or continue to Klare Springs and toward cliffs, then follow the wash Length: ½ miles to first summit, 4 petroglyphs at 6.5 miles. Cool places to hike when the valley draining from the south. Hike up miles one-way to Mt. Perry is too hot, but may be snow covered canyon, keeping to the right at the Difficulty: Moderate in winter. forks. No trail. Fall Canyon Start: Dante’s View parking area Length: 3 miles, one-way. Description: Follow ridge north of Wildrose Peak Trail Difficulty: Moderately strenuous Natural Bridge Canyon Dante’s View for spectacular vistas Length: 4.2 miles, one-way. and a cool place to escape summer Start: Titus Canyon Mouth parking Length: 1 mile to end of canyon, ½ Difficulty: Moderately strenuous mile to natural bridge. heat. No trail for last 3.5 miles area, 3 miles off Scotty’s Castle Road on graded gravel road. Start: Charcoal Kilns parking area on Difficulty: Easy upper Wildrose Canyon Road. Salt Creek Interpretive Trail Description: Spectacular wilderness Start: Natural Bridge parking area, canyon near Titus Canyon. Follow Description: A good high peak to 1.5 miles off Badwater Road on Length: ½ mile round-trip. informal path ½ mile north along climb (9,064 ft.). Trail begins at gravel road, 13.2 miles south of Hwy Difficulty: Easy base of mountains, drop into large north end of kilns with an elevation 190. wash at canyon’s mouth, then hike gain of 2,200 ft. Spectacular views Start: Salt Creek parking area, 1 mile Description: Uphill walk through 2½ miles up canyon to 35’ dryfall. beyond 2 mile point. Steep grade off Hwy 190 on graded gravel road, narrow canyon. Large natural You can climb around the dryfall for last mile. 13.5 miles north of Furnace Creek. bridge at ½ mile. Trail ends at a dry 300’ back down canyon on south waterfall. Description: Boardwalk along small side. Canyon continues another 3 stream. Good for viewing rare pup- miles before second dryfall blocks Telescope Peak Trail fish and other wildlife. Best in late passage. No trail. Length: 7 miles, one-way. Badwater Salt Flat winter/early spring. Difficulty: Strenuous Length: ½ mile to edge, 5 mi. across Start: Mahogany Flat Campground Difficulty: Easy at end of upper Wildrose Canyon Start: Badwater parking area, Road. Rough, steep road after 17 miles south of Hwy 190 on Charcoal Kilns. Badwater Road. Description: Trail to highest peak in Description: Level walk across low- the park (11,049 ft.) with a 3,000 ft. est place in the western hemisphere. elevation gain. Climbing this peak Crust of salt crystals may be cov- in the winter may require ice axe ered with temporary lake after rain and crampons, and only advised for storms. Watch out for muddy areas. experienced winter climbers. Trail is No trail. Do not hike this area dur- usually snow-free by June. ing hot months. Natural Bridge

Death Valley Visitor Guide 5 6

Death Valley Visitor Guide Death Valley National Park

To Tonopah Stonewall Mountain To PA Lida Junction and Reno LM 8875ft Co Dyer E tt T 2705m o TO nw o F M GE o IS O ID d k H U R Cree N Mount Jackson N T SO L Palmetto Mountain A Lida 45mi 6411ft CK A IN JA 266 K 8960ft S 72km 1954m T E 266 M 2731m V P A al L m L e E tt Y o Y LLE Wash VA 95 Wym an Cre IDA ek L Chocolate Magruder Mountain Mountain 7703ft 9046ft 168 2348m SYLVANIA MOUNTAINS 2757m

Y E L L 16mi T A U Gold Point 26km V Cre L ek E

N Mount Dundee S CUC O C G OM Y o E

U t IN N N GO A LA t G R C o To P w S lo T n D S l C i w Big Pine C I W H A o R A N P o N Y E C E E O D N E A T Scottys Junction C S L A N Deep Springs Last Chance Y Mountain O Lake N Deep B 8456ft sand ig 2577m C P r Gold Mountain i Crankshaft e ne e Junction k

E Ro a s U d t a R l R F G O GIN E HAN C a K u K Mine h s A S o C J A A y N e R l Y l 267 C a O V T O A n L B r F NELLIS AIR FORCE o A h L E T w R o V I U BOMBING AND C A A A L S C L B GUNNERY RANGE S 26mi L i E g I 42km F E N T L Y N A P To N O i T B Big Pine O n Y e N C CA R MARBLE H o Eureka a 35mi Dunes d 56km A

J a c k S Deep N a Scotty’s Castle In winter carry s sand s A chains. Road F C Visitor Center and Museum may be closed. la L t s I 3000ft E Y N E 914m L Road conditions L E A require experienced V

INYO four-wheel drivers. R N IS CANYO S Waucoba 3mi A A Mountain 5mi 5km E O 11123ft IN 8km V N Ubehebe E 3390m P A Crater R NEVADA NATIONAL G G CALIFORNIA Steel Pass Grapevine

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N R

IN G A G Wahguyhe Peak NT k U c R MO E a E r N t A Y O SH e Mount Palmer Rhyolite HO c U S Dry Mountain D P a 7979ft (ghost town) Beatty 8674ft e E R C a 2432m

2644m t h V Mine C N

I O A Tin Mountain E N Y 8953ft G N R A 2729m O E C Sharp rock; 374 requires heavy- G LL A CA A LICO 20mi B M duty tires. V W N A HILLS a D one way R 32km l E N O E N le R YO Y R N Leadﬁeld O S y A N I O C A d A H L C (ghost town) a L U IG o FA R L B Red Pass N N S ss M I W U IT a O N T M P T a 33mi U D s M t h 53km E h N A ig O l T Y R y A I Two-way trafﬁc Thimble a Black E 19mi I N U Peak D N Cone N to mouth of Titus H 30km T O N Y

Canyon. O A E T N N O C N A A S E Y A IT C Daylight Pass AT Saline N O T FL White Top O N A 4316ft Valley B I SS 1316m KA Mountain S N Busted C Dunes Y Corkscrew Peak JA Teakettle Junction c R Butte A o S D 95 Mount Inyo t t 11107ft y ’ s

R 3385m

A V C

C a 29mi A E T s Information M H T R t 46km L R I M l D e L A P E Death Valley 7mi D C S Hells Gate C E E R 11km K Q Buttes A N Y U o O H O a A IT The d m E N M T a Grandstand O Chloride Cliff r V T Y 7mi g Ubehebe Peak A o V A N O 11km G s A A O U 5678ft L A a L C L N 10mi 1731m E L

W Y E D 16km W F Kit Fox Keane Wonder Y LA U Mill and Mine R E Hills M O T N (Area temporarily N S Historic F N B G Big a The O closed because of Lathrop Wells n Stovepipe Well e Dune S Racetrack d Information a safety hazards) U R D t i v T F t O O e l y N Ulida a ON Sand r NY t 9mi M A Flat C Dunes To Manzanar 14km E 7mi S A E C National Historic Site O A L N N B 11km u R EL O Mesquite Flat R t S U A O Y Devils o Indian Lone Pine I N A Sand Dunes A N f R N M Cornﬁeld Pass A A f L N C N T S a G lt To E A D S

S M O Salt Creek M Las Vegas In winter carry I O N Interpretive D Eastern Sierra chains. Road W Stovepipe Wells O N Trail Hunter may be closed. S Interagency TO Mosaic Village U 136 Mountain T C E Visitor Center O 8mi Canyon 190 7454ft C r N In winter carry 13km e 2272m e S chains. Road k T may be closed. I A 18mi Cerro Gordo Peak A E Amargosa Valley 29km 9184ft I V 2799m South Pass Winters Peak N R A L 5033ft E N S E 12mi 1534m L TUCKI MOUNTAIN T L 19km 395 N Emigrant 373 E IG Nevares Keeler MO Peak Y LE ON 6732ft MUSTARD NY 2052m F CA CANYON CANY L T ON A Vehicles longer T than 25 feet Harmony Borax Works Interpretive Trail O (7.7meters) H C Schwaub J A not allowed. E Peak Y E H Furnace Creek Devils Hole m Skidoo A Death Valley Panamint W i (townsite) g 23mi National Park Dunes K r Day use only a E 37km OWENS LAKE Panamint R n t Refuge (dry) Butte C Zabriskie Point Headquarters 21mi A Golden Canyon F N u Twenty Mule C r Y a Interpretive Trail n 40km n a Team Canyon O y c N o 6mi o Hole in Pyramid Peak ASH MEADOWS

n Towne Pass n C 9km e r the Wall 6703ft e NATIONAL T 4956ft e w k C 2043m Harrisburg a Information U N 1511m A Lake Hill R rtis y WILDLIFE D O Flats ts W

E Pinto Peak Y 2030ft o D a

U 10mi REFUGE AN a r s

Q 190 W V h BO C 619m d iv 16km

A N

I e A 18mi o 127 S R n E 29km 21mi e L 33mi Eureka Aguereberry Point w E 34km G 53km Day use only a Mine y N Artists 190 A 6433ft 3040ft Father Crowley Vista 15mi Palette d S 1961m 927m a O 24km Darwin Emigrant Pass A L Ro Falls Panamint Springs TRAIL e D 5318ft C A Vehicles longer in A 1621m N than 25 feet L R Y ON 18mi te To Pahrump W (7.7meters) ta C 29km S and Las Vegas I MO ANYO not allowed. L N E N O N W 11mi 190 E P R a L R Death Valley Junction 17km 13mi C n E a Wildrose 21km Amargosa Opera House N m T Devils E i N n Wildrose Peak Golf Course Trailer N H t Natural Darwin OSE 9064ft IA I R parking L L LD C 2763m Bridge L I A DEATH CA F S W N EY NYO L L VALL N A 15mi YO Badwater Basin T V N Charcoal Kilns Lowest elevation in a 24km North l the U.S., 282ft (86m) l Rough, narrow, winding A e 9mi below sea level Haiwee y road. Vehicles longer Thorndike Vehicles longer Reservoir 14km than 25 feet (7.7 meters) Badwater than 25 feet not allowed. Mahogany Flat E (7.7meters) Rogers Peak CANYON R 8133ft H not allowed. o PA 2479m AU a N Dantes Cofﬁn Peak C HA Eagle Mountain A d Bennett 5503ft R View C Peak Eagle Borax Works 1677m 3806ft T P 5475ft 1160m U (ruins) S Y 1669m N G F G L A A R R T A B Telescope Peak a E E 11049ft d E South N 3368m w E

Haiwee a N 28mi t N

Reservoir e 45km

r W

A N W

G A A A m CANYON a M ISE Panamint City T T PR Ro r R a g SU (ghost town) 40mi d E E o G 64km s Brown Peak a

R R I 4947ft Sentinel Peak CANYON Funeral Peak 1508m ON 6384ft Deadman 9636ft JOHNS N 2937m 1945m Pass 3263ft R E E 994m O

W S T E R

Ballarat e

s V Porter Peak A (ghost town) t G V A O 395 LD Mormon Point L A N L P E L L R EA Y S i ANT N S Y L G v CANYO i 27mi LE E e N d L r O e 43km A CANY V Y E Road conditions A R V LEN o require experienced GA a d Smith Mountain four-wheel drivers. 5912ft S A 1802m 42mi 178 W I 68km A L RM Y S E PRI Shoshone L NG E L CA L A NYO B V N L O L S R

A E Striped Butte N A N O To Pahrump 31mi NY G A C and Las Vegas E 50km C Salsberry Pass E L R E Y T PRING S S 3mi 3315ft T K

U A 5km 1010m Q B IL U V A 25mi E N D A 41km U Manly Peak C Shoreline Butte T 7196ft Jubilee Jubilee Pass 2193m Mengel Pass Ashford Mill Mountain 1290ft (ruins) Needle Peak N H 390m M O Sugarloaf a Y r C r N Peak O y O N A F W N C ID a E d U h N e s C a E R To GOLER Road conditions W H o N require experienced IL ad Tecopa and E L four-wheel drivers. S T Las Vegas Vehicles, including bicycles, must stay on roads. te a 127 g S in A V W Paved road Timbisha Shoshone Food service L

I trust lands A

D Lodging T N A A M E Unpaved road Area below sea E H O Ibex Pass S level S Gas station L D U

High clearance Salt ﬂat R W Store N recommended Watch for A O ﬂooding A T Four-wheel-drive Ranger station Telephone N Lost Lake A A G road Trona m Campground Wheelchair-accessible a E I r g Hiking trail o

Owl N s Sanitary disposal station Airstrip 20mi a 24mi Wingate Pass Lake 39km

32km Picnic area SEARLES LAKE R iv Ibex er Owens Peak Dunes Brown Mountain Saratoga 5125ft Y Spring E 1562m F RE L CHINA LAKE NAVAL EM L 4mi AN A To BR V 6km WEAPONS CENTER Lake 178 395 13mi 25mi Isabella 178 S C 21km 178 40km E A N L Q Y R U O A I 6mi N A L 14 395 M O 9km E U N S T A RIDGECREST Straw Peak I N S North To Baker 0 1 10 Kilometers

0 1 10 Miles To To San Los Angeles Bernardino FORT IRWIN MILITARY RESERVATION To Tonopah Stonewall Mountain To PA Lida Junction and Reno LM 8875ft Co Dyer E tt T 2705m o TO nw o F M GE o IS O ID d k H U R Cree N Mount Jackson N T SO L Palmetto Mountain A Lida 45mi 6411ft CK A IN JA 266 K 8960ft S 72km 1954m T E 266 M 2731m V P A al L m L e E tt Y o Y LLE Wash VA 95 Wym an Cre IDA ek L Chocolate Magruder Mountain Mountain 7703ft 9046ft 168 2348m SYLVANIA MOUNTAINS 2757m

Y E L L 16mi T A U Gold Point 26km V Cre L ek E

N Mount Dundee S CUC O C G OM Y o E

J a c k S Deep N a Scotty’s Castle In winter carry s sand s A chains. Road F C Visitor Center and Museum may be closed. la L t s I 3000ft E Y N E 914m L Road conditions L E A require experienced V

INYO four-wheel drivers. R N IS CANYO S Waucoba 3mi A A Mountain 5mi 5km E O 11123ft IN 8km V N Ubehebe E 3390m P A Crater R NEVADA NATIONAL G G CALIFORNIA Steel Pass Grapevine

E YON Grapevine Peak AN 8738ft C Y 2663m E N L S IN I L R H FOREST H Mesquite Spring P d A a B U L L F R O G o

N R

IN G A G Wahguyhe Peak NT k U c R MO E a E r N t A Y O SH e Mount Palmer Rhyolite HO c U S Dry Mountain D P a 7979ft (ghost town) Beatty 8674ft e E R C a 2432m

2644m t h V Mine C N

R 3385m

A V C

n Towne Pass n C 9km e r the Wall 6703ft e NATIONAL T 4956ft e w k C 2043m Harrisburg a Information U N 1511m A Lake Hill R rtis y WILDLIFE D O Flats ts W

E Pinto Peak Y 2030ft o D a

U 10mi REFUGE AN a r s

Q 190 W V h BO C 619m d iv 16km

A N

Haiwee a N 28mi t N

Reservoir e 45km

r W

A N W

G A A A m CANYON a M ISE Panamint City T T PR Ro r R a g SU (ghost town) 40mi d E E o G 64km s Brown Peak a

R R I 4947ft Sentinel Peak CANYON Funeral Peak 1508m ON 6384ft Deadman 9636ft JOHNS N 2937m 1945m Pass 3263ft R E E 994m O

W S T E R

Ballarat e

A E Striped Butte N A N O To Pahrump 31mi NY G A C and Las Vegas E 50km C Salsberry Pass E L R E Y T PRING S S 3mi 3315ft T K

I trust lands A

D Lodging T N A A M E Unpaved road Area below sea E H O Ibex Pass S level S Gas station L D U

Death Valley Visitor Guide High clearance Salt ﬂat R W Store N recommended Watch for A O ﬂooding A T Four-wheel-drive Ranger station Telephone N Lost Lake A A G road Trona m Campground Wheelchair-accessible a E I r g Hiking trail o

Owl N s Sanitary disposal station Airstrip 20mi a 24mi Wingate Pass Lake 39km

0 1 10 Miles To To San Los Angeles Bernardino FORT IRWIN MILITARY RESERVATION 7 Furnace Creek Visitor Center Mission 66 Visitor Center Gets Rehab Is It LEED Gold? The visitor center complex was The Furnace Creek Visitor Center complex in Death Valley National Park consists of two buildings and a central designed to meet the Leadership courtyard. These were built in 1959 as part of the Mission 66 program to prepare the nation’s parks for the 50 year in Energy and Environmental anniversary of the National Park Service in 1966. A collaborative effort between the State of California, the not- Design (LEED) Gold standard for for-profit Death Valley ‘49ers, and the National Park Service made construction of this complex possible. With age and the rising cost of energy over the last 50 years, the visitor center complex became Death Valley’s most costly an existing building. LEED is an building to operate. The electricity alone was $45,000 annually. In 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment internationally-recognized “green” Act allowed the park to begin designing the rehabilitation of this facility. User fees to federal recreation lands paid building certification system and for the visitor center’s reconstruction. Our goal was to make the structure more sustainable and energy efficient, provides building owners and op- while retaining the regionally significant, Mid-Century Modern appearance of this Mission 66 structure. erators with a framework for iden- Improvements include: tifying and implementing practical yy Lobby expansion of 1500 sq. feet yy A water station for visitors to fill yy A modern, more efficient heating and measurable “green” building design, construction, operations yy Modification of the theater and a their own water bottles and cooling system and maintenance solutions. new park film yy Triple-pane insulated windows yy Insulation between the old brick yy Redesigned parking lot to im- yy new roof with more insulation wall and a new inner wall LEED certification provides in- prove traffic flow and provide shade yy Recycled glass mimics water in dependent, third-party verification yy Air-lock entries to limit the cool- that a building was adapted using yy New restroom facilities ing loss the refurbished courtyard water feature. strategies aimed at achieving high yy Courtyard shade structures performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: The new relief map is in the visitor center lobby. yy Sustainable site development

yy Water savings

yy Energy efficiency

yy Materials selection

yy Indoor environmental quality

Death Valley National Park decided to participate in the LEED process because we are committed to utilizing the taxpayers’ money in the most efficient and sustainable way. The project examination process will be completed in 2013, at which time the park will be awarded a LEED certification.

New Museum Exhibits

“What is this place, so dreadful to its discoverers?” For the past year and a half, the park has worked closely with design- This caption was at the bottom of a dark foreboding painting illustrated ers from Pacific Studios out of Seattle, Washington. Besides being more with a party of three thin men looking down a jagged canyon spilling out three dimensional, the new exhibits are also more tactile and interac- onto a barren valley surrounded by tall shadowy mountains. This was the tive. Realistic models of desert creatures are available to touch. You are first exhibit panel in the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to greet visitors to encouraged to create your own desert animal using magnetized animal Death Valley since 1960. For many, it confirmed their long-held beliefs parts (heads, ears, legs, bodies, wings). In the geology section, you can of the morbid and dangerous aspects of Death Valley. For others, it was pull levers to see how the geological province known as Basin and Range their first glimpse into the fantastic stories told of the adversities pioneers is formed. You can even create your own alluvial fan. experienced in Death Valley in 1849. But times have changed, and a new Throughout the exhibits, videos of park rangers and park scientists way of understanding Death Valley has emerged. provide detailed information on a variety of subjects and issues. And yes, After fifty years, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center has new museum an entire exhibit case is dedicated to the Timbisha Shoshone Indians. exhibits. Today, you are greeted by a quote, “How could rocks and sand Besides baskets and other tribal artifacts on display, there is a series of and silence make us afraid and yet be so wonderful?” next to a re-created videos narrated by tribal members telling you about their people and why canyon wall with two life-sized desert bighorn rams. The theme that ties they call this place home. the new exhibits together—Hottest, Driest, Lowest—speaks volumes of The new exhibits have something for everyone. They were also pur- the natural forces that shape the landscape and all that live here. posely designed to allow the park to be flexible in making future changes. Death Valley was elevated to national park status in 1994, with over 1 We know they won’t last 50 years and we don’t want them to. The park million acres of new lands added and 91% designated as Wilderness. The staff is learning more and more about the park resources every day. New many changes to the park were not being told in those original exhibits. stories will need to be told or old ones may need to be updated. The ex- Research into the park’s plants, animals, geology and even the human hibits today will allow for future changes as they occur. stories have revealed so much more. Even though pre-historic artifacts from Native peoples were on display, there was no interpretation of the Timbisha Shoshone people—the descendents of those earlier cultures who still live in Death Valley. As successful as the original exhibits had been, the park realized there was a need to tell new stories and update old ones. The process of planning the new exhibits began in 2009. To make sure the park was on the right track, a series of concept design open houses were held. Everyone from grade school and college students, the general public, park staff, park stake holders, private citizens and public represen- tatives from the surrounding local communities shared involmement in the project. Two primary objectives came out from these meetings: To develop the exhibits so visitors could have the freedom to read the exhibits in any order, and to make sure that Death Valley’s natural and geological history be the main story. And one other detail–tell the public about the Timbisha Shoshone.

8 Death Valley Visitor Guide Ranger Programs Scotty’s Castle Tours

The grounds of this 1920s era, Spanish-style mansion may be toured on your own, but visitors must join a park ranger to tour the castle’s gorgeous interior, its system of tunnels, or Scotty’s ranch. House Tour Individual Discounts General Admission ...... $15 Youth (ages 6-15)...... 50% Underground Tour Children 5 and younger...... Free General Admission ...... $15 Interagency Senior Pass holder..... 50% House & Underground Combo General Admission...... $25 Interagency Access Pass holder.... 50% Lower Vine Hiking Tour Ranger-guided walk General Admission...... $20 Exploring With a Park Ranger House Tour Death Valley National Park is discussions on the visitor center Best tour for first-time visitors. Tours are led by National Park Service vast and diverse; it takes years to patio, walks on the salt flats and Rangers, dressed in 1939 clothing. The guide will share stories about the heyday of the Castle in the late ‘30s, the construction in the 1920s, and the truly understand and explore it. dark night sky programs. Pick up a curious relationship between the Johnsons and Scotty. The house is fully fur- Attending a ranger program takes weekly ranger program schedule at nished with the Johnsons’ original decorations. Some of their clothing even only a few minutes to a few hours any visitor center or find it online hangs in the closets! A highlight of the program is listening to the Welte and makes understanding Death at www.nps.gov/deva to see the Mignon theater organ. Tours offered daily, times vary. One hour. Wheelchair Valley fun and easy. Park Rangers programs offered during your visit. lift may be available. can introduce you to a new canyon Fees are charged for Scotty’s Castle or reintroduce you to a familiar site and Lower Vine tours; all other Underground Tour with a new twist. Programs in- tours are free. Join us, and discover clude guided tours of historic sites, what this place is really all about! Scotty’s Castle was very remote when it was built in the 1920s. The underground tour focuses on how the Johnsons built a comfortable vacation home in Death Valley. The tour sees the basement, underground tunnels, heating system, original pipes, original power generation and power stor- age systems. A highlight is the demonstration of electrical generation using an original Pelton water wheel. Offered most days from November through April, times vary. One hour. Tour involves stairs, no lift available.

Lower Vine Hiking Tour Scotty’s Castle was not Scotty’s home. Albert and Bessie Johnson had the structures at Lower Vine Ranch built partly as a residence for Scotty and The Milky Way over Racetrack Playa partly to lock up water rights near the Castle. Scotty’s modest cabin and out buildings are seen on this 2-mile, 2½ hour round trip ranger-guided hike Night Sky Program over uneven surfaces. Offered occasionally. Reservations are strongly recommended. Have you ever wondered what that cluster of stars in the western sky is? Or that bright spot just over the horizon at sunset? Are you interested in Tour Suggestions seeing a lunar eclipse of Jupiter? With several high powered telescopes, Death Valley National Park rangers are opening up the mystery of the yy Reservations are not necessary yy Visitors are encouraged to dark night skies. for House and Underground Tours, enjoy the picnic area and to walk Death Valley has one of the darkest night skies in the nation. but can reduce wait time once you outside the buildings freely dur- Periodically, night sky ranger star programs are offered in various areas arrive. Reservations are strongly ing business hours. Pre-packaged of the park. In the past, the park has partnered with other organizations recommended for Lower Vine sandwiches, soft drinks, snacks, to bring telescopes of all shapes and sizes. From looking through a bino- Hiking Tours. books and souvenirs scope to seeing the colors of a nebula on a computer, there is something are available. No gaso- for everyone. You don’t have to be an aspiring Galileo to enjoy the won- yy Tickets may be purchased line or lodging. at least one day in advance from der of the night sky! Come join us! www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. On the day An Oasis For Education of the tour, tickets may only be purchased in person at the Imagine a classroom 3.4 million Parks by supporting these educa- acres in size, full of plants, animals, tion programs, contact the Death Scotty’s Castle Visitor water, weather, rocks, historic build- Valley Natural History Association at Center. ings and starry night skies. Death dvnha.org/death-valley-rocks.html Valley National Park provides just or call 760-786-2146. such a learning venue to hundreds Death Valley ROCKS (Recreational of students, teachers, and chaper- Outdoor Campaign for Kids through ones every year through the many Study) is a three-day, two-night education programs offered by our environmental education camp pro- staff. gram. Students engage in hands- If you are a teacher interested in on, outdoor, inquiry-based learning planning a field trip to Death Valley, activities that enhance science, lan- or arranging for a ranger to visit guage art, visual art, history, mathe- your classroom, visit our website matics, and physical education skills www.nps.gov/deva/forteachers or by exploring the essential question, Scotty’s Castle contact our Education Specialist at “How does geology influence hu- 760-786-3226. man, plant, and animal life?” Stu- You Can Be a Junior Ranger These opportunities are made pos- dents also learn camping and desert survival skills. The curriculum-based Want to have fun while exploring Death Valley? Pick up sible through grants and generous private donations. If you want to program is designed for California your free junior ranger book at any visitor center. After support the future of our National 5th grade students and Nevada 7th you finish the activities and recite the junior ranger grade students, but can be adapted pledge, a park ranger will sign your book and give you an for older or younger audiences. official junior ranger badge. Las Vegas and Los Angeles public schools with under-served popula- Present your completed junior ranger book at any tions, and local rural schools are Death Valley Natural History Association bookstore and invited to apply for full or partial you can purchase a special junior ranger patch for a small transportation scholarships. fee. What a great way to explore Death Valley!

Death Valley Visitor Guide 9 Park News The original weather station at Greenland Ranch Lightning Sparks Wildfire on Hunter Mountain August 10, 2012 An evening weather event that availability in the region because included several dry lightning cells of other large higher priority fires, ignited several fires in the vicinity of and limited park staffing available. Hunter Mountain in the Panamint The fire transitioned from a Type Range of Death Valley National 4 to a Type 3 Incident Command Park. These lightning strikes resulted organization on August 12 and was in two wildland fires, the South Fire suppressed using available regional and the Pass Fire. These fires were resources (four engines, one Type 2 managed as an incident called the hand crew, one Type 2 helicopter). South Complex. A total of 453 acres The fires were contained on August was burned (Pass Fire: 441 acres, 16, and on August 17 all initial at- South Fire 12 acres). tack resources were released. On The fires were within the Death August 18, a precipitation event Valley Wilderness, but were sup- provided critical moisture over the Death Valley Recognized as Holding pressed due to several factors entire fire area. including historic resources in The staff of Death Valley National World’s Hottest Temperature proximity to the fires, on-going law Park, along with local and regional September 13, 2012 enforcement operations in the area, partners, were able to manage low fuel moistures and continuous these fires effectively and efficiently Long known as the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United fuels, limited wildland fire resource with limited resources. States, Death Valley has now been officially recognized as the hottest spot on the planet. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has an- nounced that the official highest recorded surface temperature of 134°F “Tsunami” Wave Witnessed at Devils Hole (56.7°C) was measured on July 10, 1913 at Greenland Ranch, now known March 20, 2012 as Furnace Creek Ranch. An earthquake in Oaxaca, Mexico The WMO Commission of Climatology special international panel of sent shock waves that were felt meteorological experts conducted an in-depth investigation of the long- in Devils Hole, a water-filled cave located in the Amargosa Valley, NV. held world-record temperature extreme of 58ºC (136.4 ºF). That temper- National Park Service employees ob- ature (often cited by numerous sources as the highest surface tempera- served and filmed the impact on the ture for the planet) was recorded at El Azizia in what is now modern-day water found in the cave, which sup- Libya on September 13, 1922. ports the endangered Devils Hole The investigating committee (including experts from Libya, Italy, Spain, pupfish. Although the quake hit at Egypt, France, Morocco, Argentina, United States, and United Kingdom) 11:02 PDT, the reaction was delayed about 10 minutes until the impact identified five major concerns with the 1922 El Azizia temperature ex- was recorded at the site. The 7.4 treme record. The WMO evaluation committee concluded the most magnitude quake caused the water compelling scenario for the 1922 event was that a new and inexperienced to rise and fall about an inch initial- observer, not trained in the use of an unsuitable replacement instrument, ly, then became more dramatic. improperly recorded the observation and was consequently in error by Park staff observed algae slough about seven degrees Celsius. off the walls of the chamber, fol- The record reading at Greenland Ranch occurred during a particu- lowed by water bubbles, swoosh- larly hot spell from July 8-14, 1913. It was later described by George H. ing sounds and swirling water. The Wilson of the Weather Bureau as “probably the most remarkable authen- water became turbid and the smell tic record of high shade temperatures ever made.” During this seven day of sulfur filled the air. The water level ranged more than 5 ft. in total period the maximum temperature reached at least 127°F each day, with (~2.5 in either direction) throughout three days 130°F or above, and never fell below 85°F. Greenland Ranch the event. The rising water level caretaker and weather observer Oscar Denton reportedly said of that day increased, causing waves to rush in 1913 “It was so hot that swallows in full flight fell to the earth dead. along the top of a shallow shelf When I went out to read the thermometer with a wet Turkish towel on my and crash against the adjacent wall. head, it was dry before I returned.” This occurred multiple times with breaks of calmer surges. In all, the The official National Weather Service station at Greenland Ranch/ wave action continued for about 10 Furnace Creek Ranch was de-commissioned in 1961 when it was moved minutes. Once the water level sub- a quarter-mile north to its current location, at 190 feet below sea level, sided, pupfish started to return to behind the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. the shelf. The first fish was a larger The average daily high temperature in Death Valley for August is 113°F male who began investigating his (45°C). Death Valley NP recorded 128°F on July 11, 2012, the hottest this new habitat. Soon after, more fish year. Park staff reminds visitors to take precautions for the heat while began to appear and spawning behavior was observed. visiting the park and drink lots of fluids, stay on paved roads, and do not This series of images show the earthquake- rely totally on GPS units for directions. Always carry emergency supplies generated waves sweeping across Devils Only a small number of people of at least one gallon of water per person in their vehicle. Hole’s shallow shelf, then draining back have witnessed earthquake waves into its depths. at Devils Hole. Kevin Wilson, Death Valley Aquatic Biologist, stated Operation Cleansweep Results in Raids on Two Marijuana Grow Sites “There are more people that have walked on the moon than have August 9, 2012 suspects to flee Hunter Mountain. and special agents with the NPS witnessed an earthquake event at NPS and cooperating agencies The suspects were located in Investigative Services Branch (ISB). Devil’s Hole”. Another instance oc- conducted a marijuana interdic- Grapevine Canyon on the evening Units participating in the opera- curred in September 1999 when an tion operation dubbed Operation of August 11. Two out of the three tion include NPS ISB, Pacific West earthquake of similar magnitude, also from Oaxaca, was witnessed by Cleansweep on Hunter Mountain. were apprehended and are cur- Region Special Event and Tactical park personnel. Two separate marijuana grow sites rently awaiting trial on marijuana Teams, Sequoia-Kings Canyon cultivation charges. Marijuana Interdiction Group, and Wilson doubts were raided by NPS personnel that any long- California Air National Guard. resulting in the removal and de- The grow sites suffered exten- term damage struction of approximately eight sive resource damage, including Backcountry users are cautioned was caused to the thousand plants. NPS personnel the cutting down of over 100 trees to be aware of their surroundings, pupfish. pursued several individuals who at one site. Future operations are particularly in riparian areas adja- To see a video fled the grow sites but were un- being planned to rehabilitate these cent to springs. If you suspect that of the Devils Hole “tsunami” able to immediately apprehend any locations. Operation Cleansweep you have discovered a marijuana go to http://www.youtube.com/ suspects. A wildland fire sparked was the culmination of a ten- cultivation site, remove yourself watch?v=a6h82PIi_-0. by dry lightning on the evening of month investigation conducted from the area immediately and August 10 ultimately caused three by Death Valley park rangers notify park rangers.

10 Death Valley Visitor Guide Humans Old mining structures may be unstable. Timbisha Shoshone: Could You Live Here?

This is the homeland of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. The Timbisha consider this a place of life. In 1849, people traveling to California’s gold rush could not see this region’s special qualities and named this area Death Valley. Death Valley is part of the Timbisha Shoshone culture, and they consider many areas to be sacred. Basket making is one part of their cultural tradi- tion. The baskets show both their artistic talent and their knowledge of local plants. The Timbisha have a strong connection to the land. Before modern technology made living in the valley possible, they moved between valleys and mountains depending on the season of the year. Abandoned Mines Tribal members actively cared for the land, using fire to manage which plants grew where and clearing plant growth from springs to ensure good “The accounts of the abundance of gold Abandoned mine sites can pose water for both people and wildlife. Rich harvests and lush plant growth [in California] are of such extraordinary numerous dangers to visitors, character as would scarcely command resulted from the time and effort the Timbisha spent clearing and pruning including bad air, unstable mine plants and transplanting and cultivating native domesticated plants. belief were they not corroborated by the authentic reports of officers in the pub- openings, collapsing mine struc- For many years, the National Park Service pre- lic service who have visited the mineral tures and buildings, and con- vented the Timbisha from continuing these district.” tamination from heavy metals and traditions in the park. However, recently NPS President James K. Polk’s address chemicals used in the ore milling employees and Timbisha Shoshone tribal to Congress, December 5, 1848 process. Visitors to Death Valley members worked together to manage some springs by traditional methods. In the Stories of gold strikes in the new- should be aware of these potential future, fire may again be used as an active ly-acquired territory of California dangers and resist the temptation land management tool. The Timbisha Sho- had been published in the preced- to enter mine openings or dilapi- shone have persisted against difficulties, and ing months, but President Polk’s dated structures. their connection to this land remains strong. official notice to Congress in 1848 Death Valley’s last active mine sparked the California Gold Rush, Timbisha basket closed in 2005 and the park is enticing more than 250,000 people in the process of conducting an Scotty’s Castle to join the search for riches over abandoned mine inventory to see the next four years. Mining con- how many mines exist within park Walter “Death Valley Scotty” tinued in Death Valley for over 150 boundaries. Though the inventory convinced several wealthy busi- Scott could be seen as either an years! is ongoing, the park is estimated to nessmen that he had a fabulous entertainer or conman–or both. have 6,000-10,000 mine features, gold mine claim in Death Valley In 2009 America’s national parks Scotty left his family’s Kentucky with 2,000-3,000 of those being po- and agreed to split the profits, received $750 million in stimu- home at a very young age to work tentially hazardous mine openings. provided they first forward invest- lus money under the American as a cowboy in the American West. Death Valley is believed to possess ment money to Scotty. One of these Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As a teenager he worked numerous the most abandoned mines of any investors was Albert Johnson, an Death Valley was allocated $4.8 jobs out west, including in Death single National Park Service unit. insurance executive from Chicago, million for mitigating hazard- Valley. Illinois. ous mine conditions in some of While Keane Wonder remains A talent scout for William the Park’s most visited locations. closed, this past year saw the Hoping to gain full control of “Buffalo Bill” Cody discovered During 2010 and 2011, this money mitigation of 50 hazardous mine Scotty’s mining interests, Johnson Scotty in 1890 and hired him was used for stabilization of the openings, plus the stabilization traveled to Death Valley in 1906 to to work as a stunt performer in Keane Wonder Mine tramway, as of multiple tram towers, and the see Scotty’s fabled mine. Of course, Buffalo Bill’s world famous Wild well as mitigation of 235 hazard- upper and lower tram terminals. Scotty never showed Johnson West show. It was as an actor with ous mine openings at seven sites The other issue that still needs to the gold mine. Instead, he took the Wild West show that Scotty around the park: Keane Wonder be addressed is the environmental Johnson on an adventure grander learned showmanship skills that Mine, Eureka Mine, Titus Canyon, contaminants left behind from than anything the wealthy busi- would later serve him in his next Gem Mine, Skidoo, Gower Gulch, milling. The park is actively work- nessman probably ever expected. career. and Greenwater Valley. ing towards resolving this issue They camped in the desert, and and making the site suitable for In 1902, Scotty began a new were even involved in a gunfight! profession that would bring him visitation once again. Johnson began to make regular even more fame and riches: talking trips to Death Valley people out of their money. Scotty with Scotty. By 1915, Death Valley Natural History Association Albert and his wife, Since 1954, the Death Valley Natu- Bessie, began acquiring ral History Association (DVNHA) has land within Grapevine been assisting Death Valley National Canyon, in the north- Park as a cooperating association. ern part of Death DVNHA is a non-profit association Valley. The surprising dedicated to the preservation and Spanish-style castle- interpretation of the natural and in-the-desert served as cultural history of the Death Val- the Johnsons’ vacation ley region. To date, the DVNHA has home. contributed more than $3 million to the park! However, Scotty was DVNHA contributes 100% of its quick to pretend own- profit to benefit education and re- ership, and it became search in Death Valley National Park known as Scotty’s and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Some of the projects DVNHA Castle. Soon the supports include the Death Valley ROCKS education program, Youth Con- Johnsons and Scotty servation Corps program, summer internships program, and printing of the were enjoying a good park’s Visitor Guide each year. laugh at the expense DVNHA is a member-supported organization. Membership not only in- of Death Valley’s creases support to the park, but also increases visitor awareness and educa- early tourists, some of tion—something you can feel good about now and in the future. whom actually believed For more information, go to dvnha.org Scotty’s legendary gold mine was located in the tunnels beneath the Castle.

Death Valley Scotty Death Valley Visitor Guide 11 Visitor Services location contact services Furnace Creek Visitor Center National Park Service 760-786-3200 Park information, exhibits, park film, bookstore, ranger Death Valley Natural History Association www.nps.gov/deva talks drinking water and restrooms. Pay park entrance fees and purchase passes.

Scotty’s Castle Visitor Center National Park Service 760-786-2392 Tours daily (fee charged), park information, bookstore Death Valley Natural History Association reservations: and restrooms. soft drinks, sandwiches and snacks are also 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov available.

Stovepipe Wells Village Death Valley Lodge Company 760-786-2387 Lodging, restaurant, bar, gift shop, convenience store, (park concession) escapetodeathvalley.com ATM, gas station, showers, swimming pool, paved airstrip, RV hookups, RV hookups, and ranger station.

Panamint Springs Resort (privately owned) 775-482-7680 Lodging, restaurant, bar, gas station, campground, RV deathvalley.com/psr hookups, and showers.

Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resorts Xanterra Parks & Resorts 760-786-2345 Lodging, restaurants, bars, general store, gift shops, ATM, (privately owned) furnacecreekresort.com gas station (gasoline, diesel, propane, tire repair) post office, showers, laundromat, swimming, bike rentals, horse rides, RV hookups, borax museum, golf course, tennis courts, and paved airstrip.

Farabee’s Jeep Rentals Farabee’s is located across the street 877-970-5337 Four-wheel-drive Jeep rentals and towing services. from the Furnace Creek Inn. DeathValleyJeepRentals.com

Fire RV Dump CAMPGROUNDS Season Elevation Fee Sites Water Tables pits Toilets Hookups Station

Furnace Creek all year -196´ $18 136 yes yes yes flush no yes

Sunset Oct-Apr -196´ $12 270 yes no no flush no yes

Texas Spring Oct-Apr sea level $14 106 yes yes yes flush no yes

Stovepipe Wells Oct-Apr sea level $12 190 yes some some flush no yes

Mesquite Spring all year 1800´ $12 40 yes yes yes flush no yes

Emigrant (tent only) all year 2100´ free 10 yes yes no flush no no

Wildrose all year 4100´ free 23 yes yes yes vault no no

Thorndike* Mar-Nov 7400´ free 6 no yes yes vault no no

Mahogany Flat* Mar-Nov 8200´ free 10 no yes yes vault no no

*Accessible to high-clearance vehicles only. 4-wheel drive may be necessary. yy Reservations for Furnace Creek yy Generator hours are from 7 am yy Texas Springs Campground yy Other Campgrounds: RV Hook- Campground (up to 6 months in to 7 pm, unless otherwise posted. (Upper Loop) Limits on RV site use ups are available at concession-run advance) and group campsites (up Generators are not allowed at Texas may apply in springtime to ac- Stovepipe Wells Village and private- to 12 months in advance) for the Springs Campground. comodate increased demand for ly-owned Furnace Creek Ranch and camping season between October yy Sunset Campground: To assist tent camping space. No generators Panamint Springs Resort. 15 to April 15 may be made through us in the event of an emergency, allowed. recreation.gov or by calling please back in your RV unit or use a 877-444-6777. pull-through site.

12 Death Valley Visitor Guide