Southwest Vacation Feb23 - Death Valley NP
Ubehebe Crater

After the Natural Bridge we had to decide whether to go to Ubehebe Crater or the Mesquire Sand Dunes.  We didn't have enough time, or energy, to do both.  We decided to drive to the Ubehebe Crater and maybe do the sand dunes in the morning before exiting the park.

I don't think we realized how far the crater was.  It was 72 miles from the Natural Bridge.  But it was a scenic drive and we were glad we did it.

Here we are heading north up the North Highway, also known as Scotty's Castle Road.  I believe those are Kit fox Hills dead ahead.
   
Ubehebe Crater is a volcanic crater, formed only 2,000 years ago.
   
And there it is.
   
You can hike all the way around the rim but we only did about an eighth.
   
The terrain on the rim was like a man-made gravel parking lot.
   
 
   
A shot of the area to the northwest surrounding the crater.
   
The part of the rim trail we hiked.
   
 
   
Looking back at the parking lot.
   
 
   
More gravel-parking lot type terrain.
   
You can also hike down to the bottom.  Just remember, you have to hike back up.
   
Following the rim trail.
   
Yay, Ubehebe crater!
   

It was "only" 46 miles back to Stovepipe Wells.

Another attraction in this area is Scotty's Castle.  A con-man named Death Valley Scotty created a fake gold mine and took investors money.  One of the investors became friends with Scotty despite being cheated out of money.   Despite knowing Scotty was a con-man, the investor ended up building this impressive house in the middle of nowhere.   You used to be able to tour it.  Unfortunately, in 2015 a flash flood destroyed a good part of the castle and its grounds.  It's been closed for repairs with no date set for reopening.
   
 
   
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