A Super Bloom happens when there is plentiful rainfall after years of drought. We missed the last one ten years ago in 2005, but hoped to be able to see one this year in Death Valley, if the rains came as predicted. In September we made reservations for Furnace Creek Campground in Death Valley with hopes that March would be good timing for possible viewing of a super bloom. Timing was perfect.
South East Entrance to Death Valley via Death Valley Junction
South East Entrance to Death Valley via Death Valley Junction
 South East Entrance to Death Valley via Death Valley junction |  Death Valley drive on valley floor |
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, CA
What makes the blooms in Death Valley spectacular is the fact that they come from what had the appearance of a field of rocks with few bushes. Many of the flowers are a foot or more apart so you have to get down and view at a little above ground level to make it more yellow. The contrast of the rock and the flowers is striking.
 Desert Gold, wildflowers on Beatty Rd, Death Valley |  Desert Gold, wildflowers, Death Valley |
The Desert Gold wildflowers were blooming in areas that were very rocky and usually have little visible life.
Desert Gold, wildflowers, Death Valley
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley
 Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, CA |  Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, CA |
Zabriskie Point, Death Valley, CA
Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley - Elevation 190 feet below sea level. There are several campgrounds in the Furnace Creek area and we found that Furnace Creek State Park Campground was far superior to the two other across the road that were more akin to large parking lots. Our site opened up to a flat dry marsh with the view of trees and the mountains. When I made reservations in Sept for March it was nearly fully booked.
 The view from our campsite was spectacular. Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley |  Mesquite Trees at Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley |
 Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley |  The view from our campsite was spectacular. Furnace Creek Campground, Death Valley |
Badwater, Death Valley
Badwater, Death Valley
 Badwater, Death Valley |  Death Valley, CA |
"Artist's Drive, Death Valley
A worthwhile loop off the main valley floor road that takes under an hour
A Palette of Color
"More than five million years ago, repeated volcanic eruptions blanketed the landscape, depositing ash and minerals, The volcanic minerals were chemically altered by heat and water, with variable amounts of oxygen and other introduced elements. Chemical analyses have identified a paint pot of elements: iron, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, but no copper. Some fot he colored minerals here include red hematite and green chlorite. This is truly a natural artist's palette of color splashed across the slope. The time of day, clouds, and the rare rainfall shift the intensity of the colors, making each visit slightly different."
A worthwhile loop off the main valley floor road that takes under an hour
A Palette of Color
"More than five million years ago, repeated volcanic eruptions blanketed the landscape, depositing ash and minerals, The volcanic minerals were chemically altered by heat and water, with variable amounts of oxygen and other introduced elements. Chemical analyses have identified a paint pot of elements: iron, aluminum, magnesium, and titanium, but no copper. Some fot he colored minerals here include red hematite and green chlorite. This is truly a natural artist's palette of color splashed across the slope. The time of day, clouds, and the rare rainfall shift the intensity of the colors, making each visit slightly different."
Artist's Drive, Death Valley
 Artist's Drive, Death Valley |  Artist's Drive, Death Valley |
Sign at Ash Meadows Wildlife Reserve, Nevada
Furnace Creek Lodge, Death Valley
Furnace Creek Lodge, Death Valley, CA
 Death Valley, CA |  Death Valley, CA |
Desert Gold, wildflowers, Death Valley
 Five Spot, Wildflower, Death Valley, CA |  Wildflowers, Death Valley, CA |  Desert Gold, wildflowers, Death Valley |
Desert Gold, wildflowers on Beatty Rd, Death Valley. Wildflowers are blooming in what is often a field of rocks.
 Death Valley, CA |  Death Valley, CA |
Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley
Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley
 Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley |  Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley |
Northern Death Valley
Northern Death Valley
 Northern Death Valley |  Northern Death Valley |
Campsite at Panamint Springs at the north west entrance to Death Valley. We could see dust storms in the valley.
Beatty, Nevada - day trip from Death Valley also included visit to Ash Meadow Wildlife Reserve
 Beatty, Nevada |  Beatty, Nevada |
Beatty, Nevada
Legal Brothels in Nevada find humor for billboards
 Nevada Brothels |  Nevada near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge |
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada - day trip from Death Valley
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows/
The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife located in the Amargosa Valley of southern Nye County in southwestern Nevada . It is directly east of Death Valley National Park and is 90 mi west-northwest of Las Vegas.
The refuge was created on June 18, 1984 to protect an extremely rare desert oasis.
The refuge is a major discharge point for a vast underground aquifer water system, reaching more than 100 mi (160 km) to the northeast. Water-bearing strata come to the surface in more than thirty seeps and springs, providing a rich, complex variety of habitats.
Virtually all of the water at Ash Meadows is fossil water, believed to have entered the ground water system tens of thousands of years ago.
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/ash_meadows/
The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wildlife located in the Amargosa Valley of southern Nye County in southwestern Nevada . It is directly east of Death Valley National Park and is 90 mi west-northwest of Las Vegas.
The refuge was created on June 18, 1984 to protect an extremely rare desert oasis.
The refuge is a major discharge point for a vast underground aquifer water system, reaching more than 100 mi (160 km) to the northeast. Water-bearing strata come to the surface in more than thirty seeps and springs, providing a rich, complex variety of habitats.
Virtually all of the water at Ash Meadows is fossil water, believed to have entered the ground water system tens of thousands of years ago.
 Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |  Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Nuwuvi/Newe Perspective
Our stories speak of many trails throughout Ash Meadow. These trails have important messages to be shared, if you listen closely to their soft voices. We have a spiritual connection with these paths that help us to communicate with the land and with others.
Our stories speak of many trails throughout Ash Meadow. These trails have important messages to be shared, if you listen closely to their soft voices. We have a spiritual connection with these paths that help us to communicate with the land and with others.
 Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |  Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |
Spring at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada is over 500 feet deep
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Devil's Hole is a deep, water-filled limestone cave, perhaps the deepest in North America. Scuba divers descended to a depth of 436 feet without finding the bottom and they believe it is at least 500 feet deep. From core samples taken in the depths of this watery cave, scientists have been able to piece together a 500,000-year history of the earth's climate.
 Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |  Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada |
Large cat prints of either a cougar or bobcat at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Nuwuvi/Newe Perspective
When we go to the mountains, we're supposed to talk to the land ... you stop and let yourself be known to everything and ask to be received in a good way, making everything safe. That you bring goodness, not harm of any sort.
When we go to the mountains, we're supposed to talk to the land ... you stop and let yourself be known to everything and ask to be received in a good way, making everything safe. That you bring goodness, not harm of any sort.
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