02-03-24
Badwater Basin is the lowest point in the United States at 280 feet below sea level. You can see Martha pointing at the ‘Sea Level’ sign that is 280 feet up on the cliffside.
Badwater Basin is so called because it is typically a huge dry salt flat, making any water on it undrinkable. When hurricane Hilary hit California in Aug 2023 it turned the salt flat into a shallow lake. This is a very rare occurrence most people will never see. Park officials had expected it to be dried up by now.
The last pictures are looking down at Badwater Basin from Dantes View at 5000 feet. At this point the valley is 20 miles across. Truly an amazing thing to see. In picture 5 you see the tallest peak in the valley, Telescope Peak. They actually have a trail on it if you do that kind of thing. Its at 11,043 ft. In picture 15 you can see tiny cars driving in a large curve in the dark area. That is right next to where the boardwalk photos were taken.