Zabriskie Point Death Valley – The Largest National Parks in US

Death Valley is one of the largest yet hottest National Parks in the Continental United States. It is located in California and is known to be the driest and the lowest of all other parks in the region. In fact, Death Valley is considered to be one of the places that have the highest temperature in the entire world.

Zabriskie Point Death Valley National park

Zabriskie Point Death Valley National park

One of the fun facts about the Death Valley National Park is that besides its super high temperature and dryness the area, it still receives millions of tourists every year from across the world. It is the region that receives two inches or 5 centimeters of annual rainfall, and sometimes, even less than that. Moreover, the place has the highest temperature record of 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Location

Death Valley National Park lies near the California-Nevada border which is located in Southeastern California. About two hours to the southeast is Las Vegas and four and a half hours to the Southwest is Los Angeles.

See Also: best time to visit death valley

Zabriskie Point Death Valley Facts

You’ll surely be amazed to know some great facts about the Zabriskie Point Death Valley. Let’s take a read.

Zabriskie Point Death Valley Facts

Zabriskie Point – A Graben

Geologically, Grabens are sunken fragments of the Earth’s crust that are thought to hide a vast beauty and Zabriskie Point Death Valley is one of them. This region has mountains, hills, canyons, the famous 200-square-mile salt flat, and the tallest mountain range in the United States. The landscape is dotted with mudstone hills, sand dunes, and lush oases. Every spring, the rain triggers the bloom of more than a thousand species of wildflowers.

The Spectacular Landscapes

Death Valley’s stunning landscapes, pristine air, and deep solitude were well known from the 1883 to 1889 period when the wagon teams used to haul powdery white borax from mines since abandoned.

Old Home to Humans

It has been estimated from the artifacts and rock art that humans have been living in the region for at least 9,000 years. In recent years, Native Americans, most notably the Shoshone, have discovered the skills needed to adapt to today’s oppressive desert conditions.

The Telescope Peak

Only 15 miles from Badwater Basin, where the lowest point of the United States is located, stands 11,049-foot Telescope Peak, the tallest mountain in the park. In comparison to the Grand Canyon, Badwater Basin has a vertical drop twice as high as its summit.

As the night begins to fall in Death Valley, it leads to the appearance of bobcats, foxes, and rodents. The rugged mountainsides are dotted with bighorn sheep foraging while hawks soar on thermals rising into the clear, blue sky above.

The Views from Death Valley

Zabriskie point death valley is famous for its sunrise. Last but not the least, Death Valley National Park is home to some of the most spectacular views from Zabriskie Point. The Zabriskie Point viewpoint is one of Death Valley’s most iconic locations and a stunning location for watching sunrises and sunsets.

Weather at Zabriskie Point Death Valley

Weather at Zabriskie Point Death Valley

Being one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, Zabriskie point death valley weather is hot for most of the months. Not only the Summers but the Fall and Spring also bring intense heat.

Death Valley National Park recorded a temperature of 134 degrees in the afternoon of July 10, 1913, which is obviously too much for humans to live there in summers. Since the disqualification of a record-setting temperature of 136.4 degrees in Libya in 1922, Death Valley has held the title of the hottest place on earth. The best month to visit death valley is March and April.

In December, temperatures average 65 degrees, so it’s warm even in December. But comparatively to summers, the weather gets pleasant in winters. Also, in the extreme winter days, the temperatures sometimes drop below zero.

Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park

Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park

Summer is usually considered to be not a suitable time to visit the place as it gets too hot and dry there. For this reason, most of the hotels and restaurants there also close temporarily until the weather becomes a bit cool and the tourists avoid planning a trip there because of the extreme heat. Zabriskie Point Death Valley national park is famous for its  beautiful view.

Usually, the fall and spring seasons are pretty much suitable for a visit. Although you can’t expect rain even during these days, at least the weather isn’t that harsh and dry as it is in peak summers. So, people find it suitable to plan a trip during the fall or spring seasons. And for an even better experience and cool weather, early winter days are a great choice.

One extremely important thing we want you to know is that due to the enormously vast size of the park, there is a possibility of getting distracted on the routes and ending up being lost! Extreme weather conditions could be one of the greatest factors in this case.

But, regardless of the weather and time of the year, we would recommend you to stay careful about your visit and activities all year round when in Death Valley. Also, make sure you carry more than enough water and food to avoid any worse conditions.

Why Is It Called The Death Valley?

There is a whole logic behind calling the place Death Valley.  A group of pioneers in winter 1849-1850, gave this forbidding name “Death Valley” to this place after being lost in its vastness.

During the 1849 gold rush, emigrants fled over this 120-mile basin to seek gold. The group thought that this valley would be theirs but ended up suffering from two months of hunger and thirst. One of them did, however, die here.

Later on, William Lewis Manly and John Rogers, two of their young men who had learned to be scouts, rescued the other men of the group while they were on the run. A member of the party turned, looked back, and said, “Goodbye, Death Valley“, as the party left the valley over the Panamint Mountains. This was the incident after which the place has been named Death Valley.

Zabriskie Point Death Valley – FAQs

How long is the Zabriskie Point Hike?
It’s a 4 miles hike to Zabriskie Point Death Valley. This four-mile loop explores the breathtaking terrain near Furnace Creek in the badlands.
Is Zabriskie Point a real place?
Zabriskie Point is definitely a real place that lies within the vastness of this Earth. Death Valley National Park in California has it located at the eastern end of the Amargosa Range. The landscape of this region is characterized by erosion. About 5 million years ago, Furnace Creek Lake’s sediments dried up which later on turned into the Death Valley.
Can you drive to Zabriskie Point?
Yes, a short drive from Furnace Creek brings you to Zabriskie Point, a convenient stop while traveling to Dante’s View. Highway 109 is 4 miles southeast of Furnace Creek. You will find Zabriskie Point parking on your right.

 

Our Verdict

Zabriskie Point Death Valley is definitely a place worth visiting. Its eroded, destroyed and roughly patched landscape is what makes this place beautiful and different from other ordinary green places. If you’re somewhere around in California, and you love exploring new places, Death Valley is a must-visit.

Few things you need to take care of: Do travel with a lot of food and water. You may need them anytime. Also, make sure you check out the weather of the place before you plan your trip. Nice weather would add so much peace and comfort to your trip.

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