Entries filed under 'death valley'

Death Valley Named World's Largest Dark Sky Park; to Host 2nd Annual 'Mars Fest' March 1-3

Wondering where to visit for good views of the night sky? The nonprofit International Dark-Sky Association just added Death Valley National Park to its “gold tier” list, the group’s loftiest designation for sites that provide star-filled nighttime canopies. ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on February 21, 2013 9:00 AM & Tagged International Dark Sky Association, International Dark Sky Park, Mars, dark skies, death valley, night sky and stargazing | permalink | Comments



Simply Sizzlin': Death Valley Hits 128° as Badwater Ultramarathon Draws Near

Think it's been hot in your neighborhood? Take a look at what's been cooking at Death Valley National Park the past few days. Yesterday's high temperature (July 11) at the park's Furnace Creek Visitor Center: 128°F (53°C), the highest temperature recorded in the U.S. in this, the sweltering summer of 2012. That's a day after the mercury hit 126°, on July 10, at the visitor center, which is 190 feet below sea level. Other fun facts about heat to know and tell: • On July 10, 1913, Death Valley ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on July 12, 2012 7:27 PM & Tagged Badwater, Heat, death valley, national parks and ultramarathon | permalink | Comments



Death Valley = Mars? This Weekend, a Park Festival Shows How Close It Comes

How closely does Death Valley National Park replicate Mars? Close enough that NASA and the National Park Service have teamed up for the inaugural "Mars and the Mojave Festival" this weekend. A mix of lectures, field trips and skygazing, the 3-day event includes jaunts to only-in-Death-Valley locales such as Badwater (the lowest spot in North America, 282 feet below sea level), Mars Hill and Ubehebe Crater. Maybe people will see a dust devil, such as one actually spotted on Mars Feb. 16 by ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on March 8, 2012 8:42 PM & Tagged Mars, death valley and national parks | permalink | Comments



Cycling: A Great Way to Experience Our National Parks

Have you ever biked in a national park? Most of us who visit our national parks drive to the famous viewpoints, get out of our cars and take a few pictures before moving on to the next photo stop. Driving from 30-55 mph, we whiz by the scenery, rarely taking the time to fully absorb the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding landscape. But, as my REI Adventures colleague Maureen recently discovered, road biking offers a great alternative to enjoy our national parks. Sightseeing from the ...

Posted by andrewk on April 29, 2011 1:04 PM & Tagged Cycling, REI Adventures, Travel, Weekend Getaways, death valley and national parks | permalink | Comments



Entrance Fees Waived at National Parks on Veteran's Day

The final freebie on the 2010 National Park Service calendar arrives Thursday. On Nov. 11, Veteran's Day, no entrance fees will be charged at more than 100 units of the National Park Service system that ordinarily collect such fees. The timing of this no-fee day (midweek in late autumn) may be less than ideal for many people, but we get the symbolism of the gesture and share in the desire to express appreciation to America's military personnel. Thanks to all of our servicemen and servicewomen ...

Posted by T.D. Wood on November 8, 2010 1:14 PM & Tagged Saguaro, death valley, entrance fees, joshua tree, national parks and zion | permalink | Comments