Death Valley So journ - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 189

1. Panamint Springs and Dunes
Approaching Death Valley National Park from the west, Rte. 190, the main access road on
thatsideofthepark,passesthroughPanamintSprings,aprivatelyownedresort.Mountains
loomaheadonthehorizon—theruggedPanamintRange,whichformsthewesternrampart
of Death Valley. Telescope Peak, 11,049 feet high is often covered with snow.
Nearer at hand—just to the east of Panamint Springs but somewhat off the beaten
path—arethelovelyPanamintDunes.Anunpavedminingroadleadspartwaytotherolling
sandhills. Park where the road veers to the right up a steep slope toward the mine and, if
the heat is not too merciless, hike the final four cross-country miles to the dunes, visible in
the distance.
Star-shaped, with surfaces patterned by shifting winds, some of the dunes are as tall as
250 feet. Climb one and your reward will be fine views of the Panamint Valley and sur-
rounding mountains. You may also see unexpected signs of life: Although seemingly in-
hospitable, the dunes are home to Mojave fringe-toed lizards, kangaroo rats, tumblebugs,
and other creatures whose tracks can sometimes be found crisscrossing the sand.
2. Stovepipe Wells Village
At Towne Pass the highway climbs the heights of the Panamint Mountains and descends to
the flat glimmering expanse that is Death Valley. Before long it arrives at Stovepipe Wells
Village,amodestoasisnamedforahistoricsitelocatedafewmilestothenortheast.There,
long ago, an old stovepipe was sunk into the sand in order to form the shaft for a much-
used well.
Also nearby is Mosaic Canyon, a fine spot for hiking. In the canyon, walls of finely
polished marble contrast with other surfaces composed of angular rock fragments that
have been cemented into patterns resembling mosaics. The scattered shrubs growing in the
canyon include desert holly, creosote bush, ocotilla, and Mormon tea.