Trip Report: Death Valley March 2019
Extreme weather, flooded roads, wildflowers and rainbows were the hallmarks of the March 2019 Death Valley Photography Workshop. Although no super bloom occurred in Spring 2019, wildflowers such as Desert Gold could be found in abundance in the south end of the park.
The workshop began on Sunday March 17 with a “Meet and Greet” at Stove Pipe Wells Village. After everyone was checked in and were briefed on the itinerary for the next few days we headed to Mesquite Flat Dunes for the sunset.
Monday morning we arose early for a chance to photograph the Milky Way at 5:00 AM. Light painting techniques were taught along with the proper exposure and camera settings for wide field astro-photography.
When the sun rose we walked out into the dunes to photograph the changing light and patterns in the dunes. After breakfast there was a presentation about photographing in Death Valley followed by some time to rest and review images before heading over to the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada.
Tuesday morning we made another trip into the dunes for sunrise. After breakfast we had time for some one on one sessions and an image critique. In the afternoon we headed to the Artists Pallette, a colorful display of minerals spread across the hills like spilled paint. Badwater basin, the lowest point in the U.S. at -283 feet below sea level was our sunset destination. We hiked resolutely out into the basin to photograph the salt polygons despite the heavy overcast creating some challenging conditions.
Wednesday morning we journeyed to Zabriskie Point for the sunrise. Rain squalls and fast moving clouds made for some dramatic photography. After sunrise we made our way to 20 Mule Team Canyon. The road was closed, but we were able to walk a short way up the canyon. After Lunch we headed to the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley Junction. The Opera house was originally part of a complex to house workers and guests at the Borax mills. In 1967 the old social hall was taken over by Marta Becket, A ballerina from New York. Marta renovated the building and Hotel. She covered the walls with hand painted murals and gave solo performances in the Opera House until 2012. On the way back to Stovepipe Wells we stopped at Dantes View. Dantes view towers over 5,000 feet above Badwater Basin and provides stunning views of Death Valley.
