Lazy Morning in the Dunes

Creosote shrubs in a depression with drying and cracking mud, Mesquite Flats, Death Valley National Park, California; January 2023.

On the second morning of our Death Valley trip we took it easy. We slept in a little bit and a beautiful mixture of clouds and clear sky greeted us. After a good breakfast from the buffet in the restaurant at Stovepipe Wells we packed our things, loaded the car, checked out, and drove the short distance to the dunes of Mesquite Flat*.

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Water In The Desert (1)

Shallow water filling the mud flats at Cottonball Basin, reflecting the twilight landscape and overcast sky; Death Valley National Park, Californial; January 2023.

After our Desolation Canyon hike, we had our lunch sandwiches and thought about what we’d do with the rest of the afternoon. The idea to re-visit the area of Salt Creek came to mind, but we found the road closed due to damage from flash flooding that occurred with the summer’s monsoon storms in 2022.

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