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Badwater At 282ft below sea level, the Badwater area is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere and one of, if not the hottest place on earth, with summer temperatures exceeding 120 degrees F( 50 degrees C). The shallow pools at Badwater are the remnants of lake Manly, once a six hundred foot deep lake that stretched for a hundred miles or more. Ahead is Telescope Peak and the Panamint Range, at 11,049 ft (3,368 meters) the highest peak in Death Valley National Park. Dawn at Badwater can be a spectacular sight. The first rays of light falling on Telescope Peak cast a reflection in the Badwater pools and during the winter months, the snow covered Panamints add to the beauty. Late afternoon is a good time to walk out onto the salt flats, especially during the winter months when daytime temperatures are in the 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The salt forms interesting polygonal patterns that are constantly changing throughout the year. Caution. Walking too close to some of the Badwater pools can be dangerous. What may seem like a solid footing can give way very suddenly. It is easy to sink to your knees in the mud below, it smells bad, the salt burns, and it is very embarrassing, trust me. Badwater is located on Highway 178, seventeen miles south of Highway 190 and the resort of Furnace creek. Avoid extensive hiking in the Summer months. | |
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