Death Valley National Park Display

Hiker in Fall Canyon, Death Valley National Park.

Two years ago to the week, I shared a fantastic trip with my dad to Death Valley National Park.  It was a pretty special trip for both us, and he later voiced that of all the trips we had done together over the years, this one quickly became his favorite, and remained so to his death.

My dad died in a hiking accident this last fall.

When I remember my dad, this trip and the fun we had always jumps to the forefront. 

Shortly after my dad's death, I was approached to license an image for a new display at Death Valley National Park.  What a great way to honor my dad and our special trip together!

Artist's Palette, Death Valley National Pqark.

One image soon turned to two images as we negotiated, and an agreement was finalized.

So, it is with great excitement and pride that I share with you this announcement!

Next time you visit the Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley National Park, look for both these images on display!

Thanks for the memories dad, and the opportunity to photograph this wonderful park with you; a park with features that were so new and unbelievably different to the both of us.

More images can be viewed in my Death Valley National Park Gallery.

Thanks for visiting.

Photographing the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

Sliding rock at southern end of The Racetrack

The Racetrack is probably the most intriguing feature in Death Valley National Park, involving sliding rocks on the barren playa.  You've surely seen the pictures.  They are very recognizable as the rocks leave a long trail behind.

Located between the Cottonwood Mountains to the east and the Nelson Range to the west, the Racetrack is exceptionally flat and level (only 1.5" height difference between its southern and northern end).  It's dry for almost the entire the year.  But when heavy rains do arrive, water rushes down these mountains onto the playa, forming a shallow lake.  It's short-lived as the hot desert sun quickly evaporates the water, leaving a surface of soft, slick mud.

Sailing stones on north end of playa.

The sliding rocks, or "sailing stones", slowly move across the slick surface of the playa with the aid of strong winter winds, leaving a track behind them.  This phenomenon has never been witnessed or filmed, likely because the remote playa is not approachable under such conditions.

These stones only move once every 2 to 3 years, and their tracks last 3 to 4 years.  Stones with rough bottoms tend to leave straight tracks, while smooth-bottomed stones wander.

Interesting, huh?  Most photographers think so!

There is a challenge to visiting this playa, however.  It is very remote, accessed via a very rough 28 mile road.  The Racetrack Road is best suited for high-clearance vehicles.  Flat tires are a common occurrence.  The road can be heavily washboarded, rattling suspensions, and must be driven slowly.  I would budget at least 3 hours for this drive.  Storms and flash floods can make the road undrivable.

Teakettle Junction.

The Racetrack Road is an interesting and scenic drive.  Flowers can line the early stretches of road in spring.  At about 9 miles in, the road passes through a Joshua tree forest with many photographic opportunities.  Legendary Teakettle Junction is reached 10 miles further.  Past Teakettle Junction was the roughest stretch of road during my visit - 9 miles of extremely washboarded road to the Racetrack.  These poor conditions continue to Homestead Dry Camp, in case that is your destination.

Excellent photography can be had in both morning and evening at the Racetrack.  Morning is considered the better light, but I achieved my best images while scouting the evening before.  The southern end of the playa tends to have the most rocks, while the north end sports The Grandstand, which makes a fun compositional backdrop if rocks are present.  There were no rocks near The Grandstand during my visit, to the shock of several photographers who had just visited the year prior.

Sliding rocks on the Racetrack.

Morning light happens fast here, so definitely spend time scouting the playa the day before for the best rocks and tracks.  You will also find that the rocks come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes can be photographed in pairs.

Enjoy your visit and travel safely!

This is my last installment on photographing in Death Valley National Park.  I hope you've enjoyed my recommendations and tips, and that I have inspired you to visit this wonderful place yourself.  If you would like to see more images, please check out my Death Valley gallery.

Thanks for reading.  And as always, feel free to send me a note with any questions you may have that I have not answered here.

Photographing Fall Canyon in Death Valley National Park

Hiking Fall Canyon.

Fall Canyon is located just north of Titus Canyon (a highly recommended drive!).  It is one of the most spectacular canyons in Death Valley National Park.

The trail starts from the parking lot at the base of Titus Canyon, where the road is gated for one-way traffic coming the other way.  The trail leaves to the north and traverses to the wide fan of Fall Canyon, with excellent views down to the valley below along Scotty's Castle Road.

From its mouth, Fall Canyon is a deep gorge with amazing walls.  The canyon gets deeper and the walls more and more impressive the further into the mountain you go.


At several places within the first 3 miles, the wash squeezes through impressive narrows that force one to crane their necks to the walls above.  The canyon walls climb vertically for hundreds of feet, and are topped by even higher walls.  Vertical compositions work well at these spots.  I also recommend a warming filter.



Hiking Fall Canyon in Death Valley
National Park.

 The walls are colorful, and include shades of blue, tan, dark brown and red. As the sun's angle changes throughout the day, so do the vibrant shades of the rock.  The reds grow deeper in the evening as the sun sets, turning flaming red for the final show. 

At about 2.5 miles, the canyon is blocked by an 18 foot fall that poses a considerable challenge to the best of rock climbers.  This is a very scenic spot for photography of the steep walls and seemingly insurmountable fall.  Seemingly?  Yes, there is an easy way around.  Simply backtrack about 300 feet to find a path climbing upward to the south.  It climbs steeply up a chimney to the south, then mellows out as it climbs a ledge over a high spot and descends down to above the fall.

The next third of a mile contains the tightest narrows of the canyon, and are very photogenic.  The deep, dark, polished rock through this windy passage is extremely scenic, and the best part of hike!

I recommend focusing on vertical compositions to capture the feel of the towering walls above.  I believe that adding a subject matter for purpose of scale also works well.  Abstract patterns in the rock can also be played with.  Normal and wide-range lenses work well here.

At a quarter mile above the first fall, the canyon opens up until mid-canyon is reached in about 3.5 miles.  I did not venture up to mid-canyon, but have friends that thoroughly enjoyed it as a backpack (and continued further).  The lower canyon makes for an excellent half day excursion with endless photography opportunities.  Which ever way you choose to enjoy this area, do just that - enjoy!

If you wish to view more images from this area, feel free to visit my Death Valley gallery.

Photographing Devil's Cornfield in Death Valley National Park

Arrowweed at Devil's Cornfield

What trip to Death Valley National Park is complete without photographing a weed patch?  As funny as that sounds, arrowweed is a fantastic subject matter in the evening hours, catching the sun's soft rays as sunset approaches and turning a brilliant gold while casting its soft blue shadows.

Devil's Cornfield is located along CA190, about half a mile west of the Scotty Castle Road junction.  Parking is limited to pullouts alongside the road.  Though arrowweed is present on both sides of the road, the larger, more interesting stacks are located on the north side of the road, bordering the Mesquite Flat Dunes.

The area is certainly interesting, and offers much wandering and exploring for the "perfect" stack or line of stacks.  Erosion has played a key part in shaping the soil, exposing the roots and shaping the stacks of the arroweed.  Despite this intrusion, the plants thrive thanks to the underground waters of Salt Creek.  Coyotes and other wildlife can be seen the area.

Devil's Cornfield and Kit Fox Hills

As evening light arrives, the arrowweed stacks turn golden and the Kit Fox Hills to the east create a superbly scenic backdrop.  The light on the arrowweed is quick-lived - it changes fast.  Before you know it, they are in the shadows and you find yourself with a smile on your face, having witnessed another fantastic moment in Death Valley, and hopefully having captured the moment.

I arrived to this location with low expectations.  I left thoroughly impressed.  Don't overlook this gem!

Normal to wide-angle lenses best serve this area.  Be sure to bring a polarizer and GND filters if planning to include the Kit Fox Hills in any of your compositions.

More images from this area can be viewed in my Death Valley National Park gallery.

Photographing Badwater in Death Valley National Park

Badwater salt polygons and
Black Mountains

Badwater is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and a popular draw for most people visiting Death Valley National Park.  The salt polygons are a curiosity draw, offering a unique viewing experience and a chance to walk amongst a different landscape than most are accustomed to.  Oh heck, they are cool!

Don't expect to be alone here in the evenings, but seek solace in the fact that the any crowds are easy to leave behind.  How?  By simply walking further out into the salt pan.  The further you walk, the better the polygons become as you leave the wandering foot prints behind.  By the way, evening light is fairly forgiving towards light footprints.

Most likely you will encounter other photographers along your walk, and it is fun to set your tripod up near one for some pleasant conversation and story sharing.  Since you will be shooting either north or south and the foot path is east-west, it's pretty difficult to be in each others way.

Sunset over Badwater salt polygons

Definitely consider the effects of the salt on your camera gear and clothes.  They are very real and corrosive.  Refrain from letting any of your camera gear come in direct contact with the salt, and be certain to clean your tripod feet and legs immediately after your shoot.  Knee pads and/or a small sitting cloth is also recommended so that you don't have to kneel or sit directly on the salt.

 The salt polygons are excellent to photograph in mornings or evenings.  Evenings offer afternoon light on the Black Mountains to the east.  Mornings offer brilliant light on Telescope Peak and the Panimint Range.


Early light on the Panimint Range above
uplifted salt crusts near Badwater.

Arriving in late afternoon, you will likely find many tourists near the parking lot and for the first 1/4 mile or so of the walk out on the salt pan.  Beyond, the numbers will dwindle.  As sunset approaches, they will mostly disappear and you will find only a handful of other photographers around. 

Early mornings will also find you with limited company.

Just a 1/4 mile south of the Badwater parking lot the road rounds a Sharp bend and offers a wide shoulder for parking.  A short walk leads the curious photographer to some very interesting uplifted salt crusts.  I found these extremely photogenic with lots of compositional options incorporating the Panimint Range and Telescope Peak. 



I spent two mornings here (alone), and two evenings at Badwater.  I found this arrangement to work out well.  I definitely recommend visiting this area multiple times during your visit.  Another location, referred to as "devils fortune cookies" is located only a short distance further south (not obvious from the road, so you will need to scout).



Early light on Telescope Peak and the Panimint Range above
uplifted salt crusts near Badwater.

Normal range and wide-angle lenses are excellent for this area.  Consider graduated neutral density filters a must, and a warming filter a friendly addition.

Badwater is located 18 miles south of Furnace Creek along CA 190.  Allow yourself extra time for the walk out along the salt polygons or to scout the uplifted salt crusts.  Most importantly, enjoy!

More images may be viewed in my Death Valley Gallery if interested.

In closing, I must qualify all the information you just read above.  During the winter of 2010/2011, floods apparently dissolved much of the polygons and salt crusts.  My friend Jon Cornforth visited the area this spring and reported them to be gone, and that their return is expected to take a few years.  I would encourage you to contact the park directly for specific information if planning a visit.

I will be leaving for Yosemite National Park and Redwood National Park shortly.  I will continue my Death Valley posts upon my return, and hopefully have new images from my trip to share!

Photographing Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park

Evening clouds over Devil's Golf Course.


The Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park is one of my favorite photography destinations in the park.  The area is just so interesting and different than anything I have previously experienced.  It's as if you've stepped onto another planet.

This magnificent place is accessed from the Badwater Road, 13 miles south from Furnace Creek.  The area closest to the parking lot is not very attractive, having been trampled by many feet.  But wander out a short ways and this will all change.  The rounded salt crystal mounds will turn to sharp, serrated formations that are much more interesting.

Be warned:  the salt crystals are very sharp and abrasive.  Sturdy boots, gloves and knee pads are highly recommended.

I was surprised at how little traffic Devil's Golf Course received during my visits.  It gets no where near the traffic that Badwater receives.  I found most visitors to be car tourists who quickly read the information signs, took in the immediate surrounding of the heavily abused area near the parking lot, then sped off to their next destination.  Very few remained longer than 10 minutes.



I spent a couple of evenings photographing this area, and found myself all alone at sunset both times.  During my second evening another photographer did show up and explore areas close to the parking lot.  After appearing frustrated, he packed up and drove off just before the prime light appeared!



Sunset over Devil's Golf Course.

Devil's Golf Course is a great location for wide angle and normal range lenses.  Getting low with your tripod can be a little challenging, both in the positioning of your tripod legs and being able to get low enough to compose your shot through the view finder.  Don't expect to be comfortable!  But do expect the rewards to be worth it.

A telephoto lens would be useful to play with the patterns, though I did not do this.  Do you get the feel that there is just so much potential here?

Graduated neutral density filters should be considered mandatory.  I would also consider a warming filter if you don't have access to this during post-processing.



I found evening to be the best time to photograph here, though mornings could still be rewarding as well.  Though the southern sky is typically considered the most rewarding for pinks and interesting colors, both images appearing here are actually of the northern sky.  Also, watch the Black Mountains at sunset and the Panimint Range at sunrise as these respective mountain ranges catch the suns special light.

I highly recommend making Devil's Golf Course part of your itinerary during your next Death Valley National Park visit.