Salt Flats at Badwater - 2.0 Miles Round-Trip

Death Valley formed as north-south fault lines stretched and pulled the earth's crust apart, forcing mountainous uplifts on either side while the expanding space in between sank. The resulting 120-mile long basin is known as a Graben, geologically defined as a depressed land mass paralleled by faults and escarpments at the base of uplifted mountain ranges. The Death Valley graben is bound by the Amargosa Range to the east and Panamint Range to the west.

Receding ancient ice sheets and periodic wet cycles formed lakes in the Death Valley basin, the last major one disappearing approximately 2,000 years ago. As with most basins in the northern Mojave, Death Valley has no external drainage. Evaporating as the earth's climate warmed, these lakes left behind trace minerals - in some cases heavy concentrations of salt - across the valley floor. Subsequent hot and dry conditions consolidated these mineral deposits over time into the 5 mile wide salt pan we see today.

While the salt flat's complexion may appear uniform from a distance, a journey across them reveals a broad range of texture, color and states of assembly. Subtle shifts beneath the basin morph the surface into irregular polygon salt plates, sometimes uplifting them altogether in chaotic fashion. Rains bring in new sediments, thickening, discoloring and further displacing the polygons. Mud is found on or just beneath smoother surfaces where the groundwater table is high, or wind and rain have recently stripped away top layers of salt. Venture into Death Valley's great expanse for an up close look at these extraordinary geologic details and a hiking experience like no other.

There is no maintained trail leading into the salt flats, nor is one necessary - simply step off the Badwater boardwalk and meander into the shimmering abyss. You must typically travel about one mile west of the parking area to fully experience the salt flat's subtle variations and incomprehensible space. Telescope Peak - Death Valley's highest point at 11,049' - rises to the west and is a good visual landmark for otherwise rudderless travel across the flats.

Below sea level and fully exposed, the salt flats can be exceedingly hot. Amplifying already intense conditions are heat and sunlight radiating from its nearly pure white surface. If you plan on more than just a cursory tour of the flats, carry extra water, a broad-rim hat, sunglasses, sun block and light layers for additional protection.