A Spring Jaunt Just South of the Sierra to Death Valley
By Carmel L. Mooney

Impatient goldhunters stumbled into Death Valley seeking riches during California's 1849 gold rush. Today more than a million visitors each year search for riches of another kind within the spectacular Death Valley region. Still linked with the fascination of exploring unknown treasures along with myths and legends, many visitors frequent the areas during summer months to experience the harshest climate in the Western Hemisphere while others enjoy the winter season known as the season of exploration. While each season has its own beauties and treasures to uncover, Spring offers a perfect timetable and climate to discover Death Valley's beauty with its three million acres of wilderness and magical expanse of stars by the billions.

As Bessie Johnson, historical Death Valley figure often said, "Death Valley is the landscape of the soul." Perhaps the best way for a visitor to experience the wild side of Death Valley is by taking a camping adventure. Contrary to the implication of its foreboding name, Death Valley offers comfortable and even lavish accommodations. Of the dozen or so campgrounds in the park, Furnace Creek Campground and Ranch provides such an enormous array of activities, museums, and amenities for all ages that it would be my first recommendation.

Furnace Creek with its own airstrip is open all year and sits at an amazing elevation of 196 feet below sea level. There are 136 tent campsites. Located also at Furnace Creek are numerous cabins which cost right around $100 per night. The world's lowest golf course of 18 holes sits at 214 feet below sea level surrounded by majestic mountains and shade trees adjacent to Furnace Creek.

At the ranch any guest is certain to appreciate the numerous and diverse choices for dining including the Wrangler Steakhouse serving some of the best steaks I have ever savored, cooked by talented world renown chefs. At the Furnace Creek Ranch, an authentic western town, you can take a one or two-hour horseback riding tour or moon walk or even a champagne carriage ride. You might decide to tour the nearby Borax Museum, ghost towns, salt formations or simply play a game of horseshoes.

For luxurious accommodations, the lavish Furnace Creek Inn with its beautiful spring fed swimming pool, lighted tennis courts and elegant rooms is the place to book a reservation. This elegant four star hide-away resort has provided accommodations for movie stars, celebrities, and common folk for more than 70 years. This tranquil oasis might be just what you need to rejuvenate. Guests at the inn enjoy strolling the palm gardens, watching breathtaking sunsets from patios and balconies and listening to crickets and the soft whispers of the swaying palms at night. The grounds are magnificent where native Yucca and desert lilies adorn wooden planters and stone arches all of native desert origin, ingeniously incorporated in the architecture and design. Just the gorgeous pool alone is a work of art, not to mention the elegant meals, brunches, and teas. The service and hospitality is astounding. We were treated like royalty. And no, it is not the Hotel California although many bets have been lost from people who thought… Now that we've explored some lodging options what could you do in the valley? Whether you take short jaunts out away from the luxury or plan a one-day trip with a tent, Death Valley, one of America's largest national parks offers beauty and excitement for the history buff, outdoor enthusiast or the nature lover.

You can tour historic borax mining sites, a crater, ghost towns, museums, a 1.7 billion year old rock formation, or take in some golf at the most uniquely situated golf course in the world. Or you can enjoy the view from the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at 282 feet below sea level. You might consider visiting Stovepipe Wells Village, a sight where thirsty prospectors once dug for water near dunes. It also offers more accommodation possibilities with 83 modern to rustic guestrooms, a restaurant, general store, gift shop and poolside cookouts.

You might consider an interpretive living history tour of Scotty's Castle, a two million dollar Mediterranean style desert home built with profits from a phantom gold mine. Behind the walls lie a fascinating and intricate story of a flamboyant Wild West trick rider and an incredible Death Valley legend.

Death Valley National Park with its 3.3 million acres of rugged desert, mountains, and dunes offers endless possibilities for natural discoveries. With dramatic vistas, and panoramic viewpoints places like Chloride Cliff and Dante's View are must see spots. You might want to experience the "singing sand" phenomenon at Eureka Dunes where sand avalanches down the 700-foot slopes of California's tallest dunes. Four other famous and uniquely different sets of dunes are ready to be explored as well. Five canyons each with unusual features such as a ghost town, petroglyphs, and polished marble await the avid hiker. Temperatures in the summer reach up to 134 degrees with the average March temperature of 80 degrees and April of 90 degrees, all recorded in the shade at Furnace Creek.

Death Valley with its magical mystique and unsurpassable beauty is the travel adventure destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to discover and experience a national park with a unique isolated flavor.

There are numerous related informative websites including: www.nps.gov/deva and www.furnacecreekresort.com Some other pertinent numbers: Furnace Creek Visitor Center 760-786-2331 Furnace Creek Ranch 760-786-2345 Panamint Springs Resort 775-482-7680 or Stovepipe Wells Village 760-786-2387 Remember any time of year you choose to visit, drink lots of water, make sure your car is in good running condition and never leave your car if you do have car problems. Death Valley is a gem of life with wildflowers, spectacular sunsets, more than 900 native plants, and countless fascinating critters. With a little common sense and a sense of adventure, Death Valley is the perfect destination.