Death Valley adventure

So among my side trips while staying in Goldfield was to Death Valley National Park. When I arrived late afternoon on the first day, I toured some of the major sites south of Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Saw the vast, jagged salt flats of Devil's Golf Course, and made it official by flocking with the bus groups to the lowest point in Badwater Basin, and then moseyed back along Artist's Drive.
I'd originally thought to visit the Racetrack, the long-mysterious site of the moving rocks, but the drive would've eaten up a lot of time and been pretty hazardous even with 4x4. And the epic heat was not helpful: up to 115 degrees F.

 Panorama at Devil's Golf Course

 Me at Devil's Golf Course, no cart or clubs required

Supersaline pool at Badwater Basin, lowest point in the United States

So instead I headed up in elevation, taking a lonely road past the Charcoal Kilns and up to Mahoghany Flats campground. Much cooler up there, and a great place to see the stars. The next morning I hiked Wildrose Peak, taking in some wonderful vistas. I didn't feel the need to conquer the mountain though, so I headed down to see some wild burros and some clucky chukars (birds). After lunch in Stovepipe Wells, I headed back to Goldfield, my mini-adventure complete!

Trail through pinyon pines and juniper to Wildrose Peak

Vista of Death Valley salt flats on Wildrose Peak trail

Curious beehive shapes of the Charcoal Kilns, built to create long-burning charcoal for ore-processing in the Valley