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  Welcome to Backcountry Explorers

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes


Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley

GPS: ​36.6151215, -117.1131444


Morning sun on Mesquite Flat dunes
Sunrise on Mesquite Flats Dunes
Cracked mud bottom of Mesquite Dunes
Foot prints on sand dunes
Resources:
Death Valley National Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map)
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are located in central Death Valley near Stovepipe Wells right off Highway 190. You can also use the less traveled unpaved Sand Dunes Road. These dunes have been made famous by sand dune scenes in several movies including Star Wars. Be sure to take extra water and GPS along. There are no trails and one can get lost if not careful.
Formation
This dune system covers a vast area and is formed at the convergence of several prevailing winds in the valley. The tiny grains of quartz and feldspar that form the rolling sculptures that make up this dune field began as much larger pieces of solid rock. In the south rise the Tucki Mountains. To the east rise the Grapevine and Funeral Mountains.  The main source of sand for the dunes is thought to come from the Cottonwood Mountains to the north and northwest.
The largest dune is called Star Dune where the depth of the sand at its crest is 130–140 feet. It is a fairly constant feature due the habits of the wind. In addition to star shaped dunes, the field contains crescent and linear dunes as well. Polygon-cracked clay of an ancient lakebed forms the floor. Collections of mesquite trees have created a haven that provide stable habitats for wildlife.
Mesquite Dunes golden glow
Mud cracks at base of Mesquite Flats sand dunes
Picture


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  • Home
  • Our Adventures
    • Death Valley >
      • Artist Drive, Death Valley
      • Badwater, Death Valley
      • Ballarat Ghost Town, Death Valley
      • Broken Pick mine, Death Valley
      • Charcoal Kilns, Death Valley
      • Charles Manson Hide Out Barker Ranch, Death Valley
      • Chloride Cliffs, Death Valley
      • Corona Mine, Death Valley
      • Crater Sulfur Mine, Death Valley
      • Devils Golf Course, Death Valley
      • Geologist Cabin, Death Valley
      • Harmony Borax works, Death Valley
      • Ibex Springs Talc Mine, Death Valley
      • Inyo Mine, Death Valley
      • Keane Wonder Mine, Death Valley
      • Keystone Mine, Death Valley
      • Lost Burro Mine, Death Valley
      • Marble Bath, Death Valley
      • Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley
      • Morning Glory Mine Camp, Death Valley
      • Racetrack, Death Valley
      • Rhyolite, Nevada
      • Russell Camp, Death Valley
      • Ryan, Death Valley
      • Scotty's Castle, Death Valley
      • Skidoo Ghost Town, Death Valley
      • Stella's - Mengel Cabin, Death Valley
      • Teakettle Junction, Death Valley
      • Titus Canyon, Death Valley
      • Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley
      • Warm Springs, Death Valley
      • Zabriskie Point, Death Valley
    • California Gold Country >
      • Alleghany, California
      • Big Springs, highway 49
      • Downieville, California
      • Forest City
      • Kenton Mine
      • Kentucky Mine and Museum
      • Love Falls Yuba River
      • Mountain House Henness Pass
      • Oregon Creek Covered Bridge
      • Poker Flat
      • Sierra Buttes Mine
      • Sierra City, Ca
      • Young America Mine
  • Story Blog
  • Our Company
  • Support