Spending time in Death Valley National Park was an overwhelmingly creative experience. I think it is for many artists because it is one of the most beautiful and strangely diverse landscapes in America. This is the first of several posts about life in Death Valley.

The Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

The Racetrack Playa at Dusk by Richard Lewis 2013

A Day at the Racetrack in Death Valley

The Racetrack Valley is one of several valleys that make up Death Valley National Park. It is very remote and only accessible by a 4×4 vehicle. The most unique feature of the valley is the Racetrack Playa. A playa is a desert basin that fills with water and leaves a flat layer of mud or salt when the water evaporates or soaks into the ground. What makes the Racetrack worth the trip are the rocks that fall onto the playa and strangely move leaving trails behind them. The reason for this phenomena is not really known although there are theories that range from wind to spirits to vibrations and more.

Ubehebe Crater

On the way to the Racetrack is the Ubehebe Crater which is actually a series of volcanic craters in the middle of the desert. It is a very popular spot and I argued against stopping but was overruled by my wife and son. Sometimes it is good to be outvoted.

Ubehebe Crater Death Valley

Ubehebe Crater by Richard Lewis 2013

Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park

Ubehebe Crater Wall in Death Valley National Park by Richard Lewis 2013

Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley National Park

Volcanic Desert Near the Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley by Richard Lewis 2013

How I Did It – One way to photograph landscapes with crowds around is to be very patient and wait for the crowds to thin. Another way is to go where they are not going. While the crater itself is spectacular, the area around it is a pristine, dark, volcanic landscape. We arrived at midday which would normally be a bad time to photograph because of the harsh desert sun. Luckily, it was partly cloudy which diffused the sunlight just enough.

Old Miner’s Cabin

Old Miner's Cabin in Death Valley National Park

Old Miner’s Cabin by Richard Lewis 2013

How I Did It – There are several side trails on the way to the Racetrack and we decided to take one and visit an old lead mine. Normally I shy away from photographing the human presence in the landscape. But keeping an open mind, I realized this broken building shows the history of the struggle to make a living in this beautiful, but extreme desert environment.

The Race Track Playa

Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

Racing Rock, Death Valley National Park by Richard Lewis 2013

This is what rocks at the Racetrack do. They race and can travel long distances leaving a trail behind them. We nicknamed this one “Speedy” because of it’s particularly long trail.

The Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

The Racetrack in Death Valley National Park by Richard Lewis 2013

This panorama shows The Racetrack in the late day sun. The dark little rock outcropping is appropriately called The Grandstand, which is a unique feature of the Racetrack playa.

Racetrack in Death Valley National Park

Water on the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park by Richard Lewis 2013

Water on a playa is rare, but there was a small remnant of recent rain at on one edge of the Racetrack. While this looks like a lake, the water is only an inch or two deep and probably disappears quickly. Note how the light at dusk changes the color of the mountains.

How I did It – Traveling to the Racetrack involves a 3 to 4 hour drive on a very rough Jeep road. Most visitors leave in the morning and arrive at midday to provide plenty of time to drive back before dark. I wanted to photograph in the beautiful late afternoon and evening light, so that meant arriving late in the day and tackling the rough road back in the dark. The willingness to accept a little extra challenge can mean the difference between a mediocre and memorable experience both photographically and otherwise.

More Death Valley to come!

Want to be more creative with your camera? I can help so feel free to contact me. 

Like these photographs? They’re for sale as fine art prints. Please visit my photography website to see more.