Photos

Found this sign in Badwater Basin: no hinking allowed.

Let me add some facts to this sign:
* it can be over 45 degrees Celcius (113 Fahrenheit) out here
* the distances are huge and one easily miscalculates distances. The first mountain you see on the right of this picture is approx. 4 miles behind the sign...
* even though it's hot, dry and rough desert-land, be very aware of the danger of flash floods. In august 2004, one of the most unbearable months of the year, a flash flood killed two people in Death Valley.
* there are still hidden mines and mineshafts from the goldrush in Death Valley. On more then one occasion missing people were found trapped in one of them, most of them were found too late


Badwater Basin is the lower point in North America (86 metres/280 feet below sea level). The highest point in north America is only 123 km (76 miles) west from Badwater: Mount Whitney in the west of Death Valley).
The name Badwater was derived from a man who travelled trought Death Valley with his donkey. In Badwater Basin he finally found a spot with water for him and his donkey to rest and drink. But little did he know this water is so salty (over 95% salt) his donkey refused to drink it. He noted it down is his diary as "badwater".