Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This is the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert. There are 25 endemic species of plants and animals here (meaning this is the only place on the planet where you can find them). Wow!
Crystal Reservoir
Visitor Center and Crystal Spring Boardwalk. Next to the Visitor Center is boardwalk that follows the path of Crystal Spring where the water temperature is a constant 87 degrees. Water from the limestone aquifer feeds the spring at a rate of 2,800 gallons per minute.
Can you see how clear the water is here?
Mesquite - key source of food for Native Americans who resided in the area.
Then onto Death Valley National Park. First stop: Badwater Basin. This is the hottest place in North America (134 degrees F recorded in July of 1913), as well as the lowest elevation (-282'). This is a must-see stop in the park.
Justine pointing at sign on the rocks that represents sea level.
Can you see the sea level sign in this photo?
Amanda at Badwater Basin.
Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Be sure to check out the exhibits here.
Harmony Borax Works. Twenty mule team wagon used by the company to haul borax 165 miles between 1905-1912.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Zabriskie Point. We were so fortunate to see such a beautiful sunset here.
When we got back to the RV resort in Pahrump, we headed for the [heated] pool and hot tub What a fun day of exploring this desert landscape. There is so much more to see in both Ash Meadows and Death Valley, but our visitors loved what they got to see in just one day.
Ash Meadows Website: www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows
Death Valley Website: www.nps.gov/deva
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