Death Valley NP Eureka Dunes 01

East from Big Pine are Eureka Valley/Dunes and Saline Valley. If you want some adventure that isn't too risky, go out into Eureka Valley. Eureka Valley is about 40 miles from Big Pine over a relatively busy (1-2 cars an hour) graded road, and the Dunes are about 10 miles south of that road over another graded road. This area is very remote -- there are no immediately evident signs of any human habitation (now or in the past) over much of the route, and the area is mostly sage-brush desert. On the day I went, I drove and hiked for 4 hours without seeing another person or car. The gravel roads from Big Pine to the dunes are okay for regular passenger cars, but the remoteness means that you should only do it in a car that is very reliable. This is looking south towards the dunes just after turning off from the 'main' road. (Scan of an older film photo.)