![]() These flats cover nearly 200 square miles across the park, which makes them one of the world’s largest protected salt flats. Taking a walk on the salt flats at Badwater Basin is like no other experience in Death Valley National Park. One of the largest protected salt flats in the world. The large expanses of flatness allow for some unique photo opportunities. When I got closer I took a close-up picture of the sign itself.Elevation of 282 feet below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America. ![]() The picture on the left also shows the location of perhaps the most creative Sea Level sign in the entire park, shown with a small red oval. On the other hand I was also glad that my GPS breadcrumb track could help me navigate back to my previous path.Īs I reached what I will call the salt path (the first 0.5 mile or so), another view toward the Dante’s View area shows the scale of the landscape with fellow visitors as the measuring device. On the one hand I was glad that I was not leaving visible or permanent footprints on the salt flat surface. And these are air temperatures: the ground itself is even hotter! On this mid-February afternoon the temperature was in the low 70’s: comfortable, but I made sure to use sunscreen and I wore lightweight long pants and shirt for sun protection.Īs I returned to the parking area I initially headed perpendicular to the mountains but eventually realized that I was not on my outbound path. Overnight lows may remain in triple digits. ![]() In the summer, daytime high temperatures often reach 120 degrees F, with a record of 134 degrees F set in July 1913. The mountains very effectively trap air and recirculate it locally, making it even hotter. Seeing the mountains all around the valley – as well as the starkness of the salt flats themselves – was a clear reminder of the extreme heat that is ever-present during the summer months.
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