Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Death Valley)
Nothing makes a better introduction to Death Valley than a visit to the 100-foot/30-meter-high Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. These aren’t Death Valley’s tallest sand dunes, but they are the most accessible. A walk on these silky, rippled dunes will convince you that you’re someplace far from the familiar. The dunes have no marked trail because of the continually shifting desert sands, so improvise: Make a beeline from the parking lot to the highest sandy ridgeline. How far you wander is completely up to you. The best time to visit is just before sunrise or around sunset because of the incredible show of color and light. Long shadows and soft light make fantastic dune photos. In the early morning, you can spot animal tracks made during the night, especially the tiny footprints of birds and rodents. Full-moon nights on the dunes are spectacular, but night visitors must watch for rattlesnakes, especially in hot months.
Region: California
City: Furnace Creek
Distance: 41.35 km
Elevation Gain: 255 m
Elevation Loss: 257 m
Difficulty: 176 (Easy)
FIETS Index: 0.08 FIETS
Avg Grade: 0.72 %
Max cat climb: 4
Min elevation: -66 m
Max elevation: 44 m
Ride Category: Flat