cracked ground at the salt flats of death valley national park, california

abandoned america area arid badlands barren basin beautiful beauty below burned california calmness canyon carved death desert desolate destination driest dry dune dunes dusk elevation empty erosion flats front geologic geological golden grapevine heat historic hot hotel hottest known landscape level light lowest mojave mountains national natural nature northern outdoors park past pastels peaceful peacefulness point popular quiet ranch rocky rugged salt sand sandstone scenery scenic sky southwest states still tourist tranquil travel united valley wells western wilderness wildlife