Death Valley's temporary lake, fed by a powerful summer storm, has shrunk by just a few inches in the park's Badwater Basin. But as it evaporates, other parts of the national park are reopening.
In the aftermath of an August 20 storm that caused widespread flooding and forced the closure of the park, the shallow lake stretched for four miles. When Death Valley National Park reopened in mid-October, the water became a major attraction in an area where many roads and trails were still closed for repairs.
Even at the deepest level, rangers estimate the lake's depth at only 2 to 3 feet. But for visitors standing at Badwater Basin, or 5,000 feet higher at the mountaintop Dante's View, the lake's reflective properties led to striking vistas of eerie mountain reflections, especially at sunrise and sunset.
While the vistas are still remarkable, park spokeswoman Abby Wines said Friday, the lake is “probably only a few inches in size,” even at its deepest point.
There's no telling how quickly it will evaporate, Wines said.
Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, in October.
(Christopher Reynolds/Los Angeles Times)
In the meantime, rangers and repair crews have reopened several roads and parts of the park.
On Nov. 1, the park reopened Mud Canyon Road and Daylight Pass, which connects the park to Nevada Highway 374 and Beatty, Nev.
On November 20, the park announced the reopening of the southeast entrance, with Badwater Road providing direct access from Shoshone to Badwater Basin.
On Thursday, the park reopened access to two remote northern areas. One of these is the Eureka Valley, which includes Eureka Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in California, rising about 650 feet above the adjacent lake bottom. The route to Eureka Dunes begins at the town of Big Pine and covers 28 miles of paved road and 21 miles of graded sand.
The other is Saline Valley, with a primitive campsite and bathtubs Hot springs in the Saline Valley. The campground and springs are approximately 35 miles from the nearest paved road and may be inaccessible in winter conditions.
Eureka Valley and Saline Valley can only be reached via Big Pine, south of Bishop along US Route 395. From Big Pine, the Big Pine-Death Valley Road is open as far as Eureka Valley, but no further. To reach Saline Valley, the only route from Big Pine is via the north pass of Saline Valley Road.
California Highway 190, the park's main east-west artery, is open throughout the park, with delays possible at multiple locations for roadwork. Badwater Road is now open for its entire length, as is Dante's View Road.
Father Crowley/Rainbow Canyon Vista Point remains closed, as do Beatty Cutoff Road, North Highway and many other paved and unpaved park roads.
The park's website also notes that while there are some wildflowers, “the park does not experience any major flower blooms.”
The park's campsites are open except for Emigrant, Wildrose, Mesquite Springs, Thorndike Primitive, Mahogany Flat Primitive and Homestake Primitive.
Travelers must have the park website for weather conditions and updates on road closures before you head there.
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