First
flower stop midway between Stovepipe Wells and Furnace Creek.
Dominated primarily by the Desert Gold, with some purple flowers
of the Phecelia family mixed in. Other flower species found were
Brown Eyed Evening Primrose and Gravel Ghost. The creosote bushes
were also blooming at this point.
Across
the highway, the Phecelia family takes over as the predominate
species. View is to the southwest to the Panamint Range.
Same
vantage point, but viewing east to the foreboding Funeral Range.
Southward
to a point north of Badwater, we happened upon a large field of
Notched Leaf Phecelia.
Death
Valley and vicinity has received more than 300% of its normal
annual rainfall for the season to date, which has transformed the
normally dry or underground Amargosa River into a running river
for several months. This has created a large lake covering much of
the southern end of Death Valley, which is several miles wide and
many times that long.
The
otherwise dry Amargosa River, here at its crossing with the West
Side Road in the southern end of Death Valley. The area was
carpeted with Desert Gold, so much in abundance that the distant
hills wree a yellow tinged hue. This was a nice lunch spot, taken
where I was sitting eating a shredded beef burrito my wife had
brought along.
While
lunching on the banks of the Amargosa, several vehicles bravely
plowed into the silty water. It wasn't very deep, but was about 50
feet wide. This VW camper van did have the “Synchro”
running train (4WD).
The
ruins of the Ashford Mill. Flowers found here were Desert Gold,
Five-Spot, Brown Eyed Evening Primrose, and Purple Mat.
A
view northward along the Harry Wade Road, south of CA178 and the
Badwater Road junction. Here the Desert Gold had created a
luxurious carpet several square miles in size. The snowcapped
Panamint Range is in the background.
Portrait
of myself, taken by my friend Graham C., in the luxuriant fields
of Desert Gold along Harry Wade Road.
Along
Harry Wade Road, viewing east toward Jubilee Pass. The entire
alluvial slope was a rich carpet of Desert Gold.
On
the way back north, we pulled up the road to the Natural Bridge
trailhead, for a bird's eye view of the huge lake filling the
southern end of Death Valley.
The
afternoon sun began to bring out the rich colors and hues of the
Funeral Range between Badwater and Furnace Creek.
At
this point further north, the somber browns and cream colors were
replaced by golds, yellows and reds.
While
gassing up at Furnace Creek, this “two mule stretch limo”
pulled up, it's occupants obviously enjoying the wonderful colors
that the afternoon sun brought to light.
North
of Furnace Creek, the setting sun intensified the colors of the
greening of Death Valley.
The
setting sun as we neared Stovepipe Wells.
A
glass of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was enjoyed on the veranda of
Panamint Springs Resort, the quietness of dusk enhancing the mood.