here you can get updated about the rich history of the valley
remains from the Harmony Borax Works, note the wagons in the background
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is a desert located in a deep trough at the border between California and Nevada.
The low elevation
of 86 meters below sea level, combined with the high surrounding mountains create a perfect condition for extreme high temperatures.
The hamlet
Furnace Creek is the proud owner of the worlds highest temperature ever measured. In July 1913 the mercury here
rose to 56.7 Celcius.
Since 1994 the valley is a
National Park, actually the largests in the lower 48 states.
Native American
have inhabited the valley for 9.000 years with the
Timbisha tribe still living here.
First Europeans appeared in 1849 during the
California Gold Rush. They found it a harsh place and so named it Death Valley.
Late in the 19th century
borax was found which
generated a mining and soap making industrial boom. Famous were the
20-mule teams that hauled the product 260 km to the
nearest railway station.
We visited Death Valley in February 1997.
entering Death Valley National Park
at the Salt and Borax Flats
a coyote along the road
later in the day the shadows get longer and the shapes more pronounced