Part 7: At Saratoga Spring
This is the southern end of Death Valley and the salty ground is a trace of the Amargosa River. Here the valley floor is quite flat and there are several meanders, including this meander trace right next to the Saratoga Spring riparian area:
The road that got us here goes by some spectacular rock formations:
Looking back toward the Dumont Dunes area shows the price you pay for being a rock outcrop near sand dunes: sand ramps where the wind is momentarily slowed and drops its sandy load (there is a bit of wind activity at this time):
In the very far distance is a line of greenery where the underground flow of the Amargosa River meets some shallow rock, forcing it near the surface and allowing it to support trees and plant life, another oasis:
That is all quite wonderful, but what we are really here to see is this wonderful spring:
It is the setting of this spring that makes this oasis really spectacular. These are volcanic hills, basalts and tuffs of many colors:
This seventh stop ended the Amargosa Conservancy's tour for this Devils Hole Workshop. Please look at the conservancy's web site by clicking here!
Go back to Part 1: The spring at Shoshone, CA
Go back to Part 2: Amargosa River at Highway
Go back to Part 3: A Tecopa Valley hot spring
Go back to Part 5: At China Ranch
Go back to Part 6: Near Dumont Dunes
Take a walk in the Panamint Range
Go to ThoughtsandPlaces.Org home page
Take a walk in Golden Canyon
Take a walk in a sandstorm