|
Located 100 miles west of Las Vegas astride the California/Nevada border, Death Valley is the hottest and driest spot in North America. Just the name itself seems ominous. But, if you are ever in the area it is really worth a visit. The vast empty expanses of this National Park located in the Mojave desert certainly aren't lacking in natural beauty. Death Valley became part of the National Park System in the 1970’s and is full of intriguing stories and beautiful scenery.
Temperatures in Death Valley can soar above 120 degrees in the summer. The extreme heat is due to Death Valley being the lowest spot in the United States at 282 feet below sea level. In November through April, the temperatures are fairly mild at about 60 or 70 degrees. To really take in the whole experience of Death Valley you should go while it is hot. So, be brave and take a day trip in the summer, just make sure your car air conditioner is working properly and, bring plenty of water. Stay in designated tourist and hiking areas. Death Valley is not a place to
get lost in the middle of the scorching summer months. Getting lost could be treacherous even in the spring as there is often little recognizable scenery to lead one back to the main monument.
While parts of Death Valley is barren of life, this National Park does have a variety of animals that manage to make their home there; deer, gray fox, coyote, bobcat, badger, jackrabbit, desert tortoise, and an assortment of birds, bats, snakes and lizards inhabit the foothills and desert flats. Desert bighorn sheep can often be seen in the cooler, higher elevations.
Even with the heat it is amazing that this 2.2 million acre National Park is a backpacker's paradise. Approximately 70 percent of the park is open to backpacking only 20 miles of it are developed trails, 57 miles are left undeveloped. Only the really experienced hiker should attempt any backpacking trips in Death Valley. Most of the park has been left to its natural beauty as not many people actually do brave the terrain. Telescope Peak (which is 11,049 feet), the highest spot in Death Valley is a good hike even in the summer because the higher elevation provides for cooler temperatures. The trail is seven miles one way with a 3,000-foot elevation change.
Another exciting hike is the trail leading from the lowest point in the U.S. Death Valley Monument up inside a crater of an extinct volcano. Remember to always bring at least a gallon of water a day if hiking. A back county permit is not necessary to hike Death Valley.
Camping is available in Death Valley, but is most enjoyable November through April. You can camp in any location, provided you are at least five miles from developed areas, one mile from a maintained road, and one-quarter mile from water sources. Camping closer to water sources or springs keeps the wildlife away. Bring your own water. There is hotel accommodations and a restaurant in the park. There is a tour running that will take you to see the old mines and the interesting flora and fauna of the park.
While in Death Valley do not miss touring the Castle. It seems strange that someone would build a castle in this hostile environment, thus the story behind it is quite interesting.
A man named Scotty was prospecting for gold in Death Valley in the late 1800’s and was able to pull out quite a bit of the ore. He, of course would flaunt his findings in the finest hotels and saloons of California and Nevada while spending his money.
Scotty needed investors to continue his prospecting, as the kind of mining that he needed to do would cost money. He was able to attract an investor from Chicago, an insurance magnate named Albert Johnson. Mr. Johnson gave Scotty thousands of dollars over the next several years to keep the mine running in hopes that a huge lode would be found. But, due to a number of unfortunate happenings Scotty was unable to pull any gold out of the mine for years. Mr. Johnson decided to come out and take a look at this gold mine that he had invested great amounts of money in. Strangely, Johnson loved Death Valley so much that he stayed nearly a month. He had been in poor health and the dry sunny climate of Death Valley was just what his body needed.
Over the next ten winters, Albert Johnson returned to Death Valley with his wife, Bessie. They decided they needed somewhere comfortable to stay during their winter visits. They built the Death Valley Ranch in the late 1920's which turned into a castle. The construction of the nine buildings occurred from 1921 to 1931. Albert Johnson used the water from the spring to generate hydroelectric power, using a water wheel. He also had refrigeration, indoor plumbing and a solar heating system.
The Johnsons built the castle with every modern convenience of the time; from electricity to a tower with musical chimes. Towards the end of the Great Depression, the Johnson’s moved from Chicago to Hollywood, which made their visits to the Castle more frequent. They brought friends and business acquaintances with them and the castle turned into a popular hotel and tourist attraction over the years.
The Johnsons died in the 1940's, and willed the Castle to a charitable organization called the Gospel Foundation. The Foundation continued to run the Castle hotel and tours. In 1970, the Gospel Foundation sold the estate to the National Park Service, whose job it is to protect and preserve the Castle and Death Valley for present and future generations to enjoy.
| 
