Death Valley National Park - Day 1

 We drove into Death Valley National Park from Ridgecrest and headed straight for Stovepipe Wells to secure a camping spot at the first come first serve campground since the few reservable sites were already booked. Because there are no hookups at this campground, our camp set up was quick. From the campground, we drove to the Mesquite Sand Dunes where we had a picnic on the tailgate of Jim’s truck before exploring the dunes.

The Mesquite Dunes

We continued on toward Furnace Creek with a stop along the way at the Harmony Borax Works site. Borax was discovered in this area in 1881 and soon after a plant was built here that produced over 3 tons of borax daily. 20 mule teams transported the finished product 165 miles to Mojave.

Jim checking out the old machinery

The 20 Mule Team wagon

Harmony Borax Works

In Furnace Creek, we stopped at the visitor center only to learn that it was closed due to Covid-19. The bookstore was open though, so we were able to pick up a park map and get a park stamp. Our next stop was Badwater Basin which lies 282 feet below sea level. It is the lowest point in the United States and is a vast saltwater flat. There is a sign on the surrounding mountain that denotes sea level - it’s kind of surreal to stand and look so far up to sea level.

On the salt flats

From Badwater Basin we drove north to the trailhead of Natural Bridge. It’s a quick 1/2 mile hike from the parking lot to the natural rock bridge. It was an enjoyable stop, especially for Jim, as he is a big Star Wars fan and this is one of many locations in Death Valley that was a filming location. 

At Natural Bridge

A little further north, we stopped off at the Devil’s Golf Course which is not a golf course at all. Instead, it’s an area of crystalline salt that has been eroded away into jagged spires of salt. 

The Devil's Golf Course

On our way back to our campground we drove through Mustard Canyon. We thought the Mustard Canyon looked as if it were made the same way drip sand castles are made. 

With daylight beginning to wane, we drove back to Stovepipe Wells and settled into the trailer for the night.