This morning we drove down to Badwater, the lowest point in the North America at 282 feet below sea level.  We walked out with the ranger onto the salt flats:

Looking back, the “sea level” sign is halfway up the mountain, just right on center in the photograph:

The evaporating water leaves interesting “hairy” salt nodules:

Farther out the salt flats form ridges around hexagonal flats a few feet across:

More hairy salt:

The sea level sign well above us:

After lunch, Dad and I went in search of USMM 46, a marker he has wanted to find for some time, seen here on the right side of the map:

We started to hike in that direction, having to cross a number of dry washes:

We finally reached mineral marker 46:

From there, we walked towards some mines indicated on the map.  The opening on the North side of the mountain was in a cliff face, so it’s probably the exit hole of a passage on the other side of the mountain.  We continued around the mountain is an attempt to find the entry holes.

It looks like there was a good bit of surface mining here:

Is this ore waiting to be hauled out, or piled up tailings?

Continuing around the mountain, we found a pair of entry holes that have been sealed with expanding foam to keep out explorers:

Less than 30 miles away, Telescope Peak rises over 11,000 feet over Death Valley:

Fossils keep watch over the valley:

This shrub has been taken over by an orange parasitic plant.  Mistletoe, perhaps?

Once back at the truck, we drove back to the campground:

After returning from our hike, I rode from the campground at –100 feet to 2000 feet above sea level about 12 miles away from the valley.  Along the way I passed Zabriskie Point:

The end of the ride:

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Trish, David, Leisl, and the cousins went for a horse ride:

Ah, the fresh air out on the range:

I’m not sure when the busy season is here, but it’s not now: