Death Valley National Park

Rating:
Summary: With this, you get your "just deserts".
Review: Death Valley - land of contrasts, a place of extremes, an unexpected haven of biodiversity, a photographer's paradise, and the largest national park outside Alaska. In a place this large and diverse, naturally, you will need something to let you know where you are, where you want to go next, and what to expect when you get there. And this map and guide is an excellent means of doing just that.

First of all, it contains a map of considerable detail, showing all roads down to those that are doubtful whether they even exist, with mileages shown to the tenth of a mile, points of interest, mines, springs, mountain ranges & ridges, flats, valleys, etc. Also, there is an extensive index to all features shown.

In addition, a tremendous amount of information about the park is provided, including its geological history, human habitation (which includes four separate Native American groups during the last 9000 years, and whites who arrived as part of the mining "boom" of the second half of the 19th century, first to prospect for precious metals, and later for borax, of 20-mule-team fame, and finally to establish tourist facilities), climate, flora & fauna (nearly 1000 plant species and numerous reptiles, birds and mammals, which exist thanks to numerous springs in the valley, which compensate somewhat for the lack of rainfall, and and also because of adaptations to the hot, dry conditions), road information, desert travel precautions (critical in an area where temperatures reach 120 degrees F. in the summer), fees, supplies & services, campground & lodging info, and detailed information on 49 points of interest, including viewpoints and scenic drives, ghost towns and mining ruins, trails (the longest of which is seven miles to Telescope Peak, at 11,000' the highest point in the park - unfortunately, there are only a few others, mostly of short duration) and other unusual features, including Racetrack Valley, home of the famous "erratic" rocks (which leave tracks behind them, but it is still a mystery as to how they move), and Scotty's Castle, a mansion at the north end of the valley, which has guided tours. There are also several nice color photos included.

Since this is one of my favorite places to visit (I also drew the 7 1/2' quad map which includes Shoreline Butte when I was a cartographic technician with the U S Geological Survey), I recommend both Death Valley and this map & guide, which is probably the best reference you could have with you, short of a guide book.