It is situated in eastern California. We came at this place just with a sunset. Tempeture 57°C was recorded in 1913 here. The lowest place in Western Hemisphere - Badwater (86 m below sea level) is also at this park. You can find here a "slop" that has four times higher concentration of salt than sea. On the other hand the highest point in park Telescope Peak achieves 3 368 m. Just 142 km is distance between the lowest and highest point in the USA - Mt.Whitney (except Alaska).
Early national monument was changed to the national park in 1994, total area covers over 3 million acres of western deserts. Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places in North America, yet it is home to over 970 species of plants.
During my second trip, this time by bike, even in October it was here above 40°C. The temperature did not drop lower till midnight. In the highest situated camp on the road 190 Emigrant camp (drinkable water) it was such strong warm wind that girls preferred sleep in the car than at tent.
Along road are able tanks of water in case you need water for radiator.
Since 1883/1884 was mining Borax in Harmony Borax Works. The Harmony plant went out of operation in 1888, after only five years of production. When in full operation, the Harmony Borax Works employed 40 men who produced three tons of borax daily. The harmony operation became famous through the use of large mule teams and double wagons that hauled borax the long overland route to Mojave. More information.
In this inhopsital country, where the most tourists get out of their air-condition's cars for just a few minutes, starts one of the most difficult ultramarathons - Ultramarathon Bad Water. The race is long 216 kilometers and starts at the lowest point in the US — -86 metres below sea level — and follows the highway across Death Valley, California, to the trailhead Whitney Portal(2744m)to Mt. Whitney (4 418m), the highest point in the lower 48 states. The Badwater course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 13,000’ (3962m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 4,700’ (1433m) of cumulative descent. Runners from over the World have to take care about their support team. Everyone is required to have at least two crew persons and a support vehicle. The race organization provides no aid, so the runners are on their own for food, water, and general assistance. Winner gets a t-shirt with a race logo. That is all. Not thousands of dollars. Although this facts the Kiehl's Badwater Ultramarathon has been alreadt run over 20 times.