Death Valley National Park to Los Angeles (part 1 of 2)

This is day 3 of the 6-days Las Vegas - Los Angeles - San Diego - Las Vegas Road Trip via Death Valley National Park and Palm Springs. You can see day 1, which is flying to Las Vegas, and then, day 2- leaving Las Vegas for Death Valley National Park in my introductory post of the 6-days Las Vegas - Los Angeles - San Diego road trip.

Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park

Brief summary of itinerary:

Day 1- arrival at Las Vegas ( arrival airport)

Day 2- Las Vegas to Death Valley National Park

Day 3- Death Valley National Park to Los Angeles

Day 4- Los Angeles to San Diego

Day 5- San Diego to Palm Springs

Day 6- Palm Springs to Las Vegas ( depart later of the day, or extend one night and depart Las Vegas next day)

Here's first part of Day 3: 

From the heart of Death Valley, you will start driving West towards Los Angeles on road that is surrounded by stark mountains of different colors due to the varying composition of minerals in it. Death Valley strongly sends the message that Earth does not always have to be fully clothed with lush green vegetation to be beautiful. In its starkness and nakedness, one will see the contours of the Earth that though may be shaped by harshest conditions, but ended up so masterfully carved and uniquely painted. The awe and wonder, serenity and peacefulness that sets in me in seeing the out of this world beauty of Death Valley National Park, is beyond words for me to describe.  Death Valley is such a huge National Park, that after one hour of driving from Furnace Creek Inn, you still are in Death Valley National Park, at Panamint Springs. West of Hwy 190, there is one beautiful view point you should not miss, Father Crowley  Point.

 view from Father Crowley Point, Death Valley National Park

Father Crowley Point is one of the must see non-hiking stops in Death Valley. It is named in memory of Father Crowley, a Catholic priest who ministered in the area in the 1930s, and who was said to make frequent stops at this overlook. It encompasses views of the Panamint Valley, Rainbow Canyon, the Panamint Mountain Range, and Telescope Peak. This view, aside from inspiring reverence in an important religious leader, also demonstrates the beautiful complexity and rugged balance of this surreal desert landscape.

views from Father Crowley Point

( what the plaque at top left of the photo says: "Father Crowley Point, in Memory of the Priest of the Desert, 1891-1940. From the snowy heights of the Sierras to the deep shadows of Death Valley, beloved and trusted by people of all faiths. He led them towards life's wider horizons. ")
  

From Father Crowley Point, you continue driving West at Hwy 190. As you exit Death Valley National Park, the first town you will see on your way to Los Angeles at Hwy 395 is Lone Pine. This is where your next stop will be, at the Alabama Hills, in Lone Pine.

drive from Father Crowley Point to Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA

As you approach Alabama Hills, you will see the contrast between a mind boggling arid desert landscape to rugged mountain peaks of the snowy Sierra.

 landscape scenery from Alabama Hills

The Eastern Sierra of California is a place full of mind boggling diversity. It is filled with extremes and contrasts, such as: from salt to snow, from low to high. At the Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park is the lowest point in North America that has a pristine white landscape because of salt, whereas, Mt. Whitney, as seen from Alabama Hills is the tallest peak in the contiguous US that is covered in snow.

from salt to snow, from lowest point in North America to the highest peak in contiguous US

left: salt flat @ Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, right: the rugged snowy peaks of the Sierra (middle picture at the right is Mt. Whitney, the highest peak 

And if these contrasts between salt and snow; and highest and lowest point are not enough, the oldest known living thing, an ancient Bristlecone Pine, lives in the Eastern Sierra as well. And right at the west side of Mt. Whitney, stand the giant trees, the Giant Sequoias, with the largest tree in the world, General Sherman.

There are so many hiking trails in the Eastern Sierra, from arid desert to snowy alpine peaks. However, since this itinerary is for those who wishes to explore Las Vegas-Death Valley-Los Angeles-San Diego-Palm Springs in 6 days without the hikes, I will be limiting sharing pictures of places that could only be enjoyed without the hikes, or with very little hike.

More Scenery From Alabama Hills

(to be continued.......sorry, bedtime now, will continue from Alabama Hills to Los Angeles hopefully tomorrow, did not know that this part 2, will have also part 1 and part 2, hmmmm, talk about busy life. )

PS....On the question, why is the place called Death Valley? The valley got its name in 1849 during the California Gold Rush. It was called Death Valley by a group of pioneers and others who sought to cross the valley on their way to the gold fields. Although only one death in the area was recorded during the Rush, but they all assumed that this valley would be their grave. They were rescued by two of their young men, William Lewis Manly and John Rogers, who had learned to be scouts. As the party climbed out of the valley over the Panamint Mountains, one of the men turned, looked back, and said "goodbye, Death Valley." This name, and the story of The Lost '49ers have become part of the western history.- source: http://www.nps.gov/deva/faqs.htm

Death Valley....Does it really speak its name? Or does it describe the other side of life we often neglect to see? 

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