Southwest Vacation Feb23 - Death Valley NP
Sunrise at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Lynnette read that Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes was a great place to watch the sunrise.  Somehow, she managed to talk me into getting up early to go see it.

So we got up way earlier than I'm used to and headed to the sand dunes.  They were only about a 5-10 minute drive from Stovepipe Wells.   You park the car in the lot and then walk out to the dunes.
   
Well out into the sands.
   
Although it was light enough to see where you were going, the sun hadn't crested the Amargosa Range yet.   We parked ourselves on top of one of the dunes -- not the tallest one but tall enough -- and waited.  You can tell where the sun is going to poke up.
   
Beyind us the Inyo Mountains began lighting up.
   
Suddenly the Inyo Mountains were completely lit.
   
Looking east down our dune ridge.
   
It's getting close!
   
Here it comes!
   
There it is!
   
Looking north at the highest dune.
   
Behind us, the sunlight has creeped across the desert almost to our position.
   
The dunes start lighting up.
   
Looking north at the tallest dune again.  The light is completely different.  You can see people on top of the highest dune.  They must have gotten up REAL early!
   
Lynnette basking in the golden light.
   
Now the tallest sand dune is completely lit.
   
 
   
 
   
Our dune ridge now looks compltely different.
   
The show was over and we started heading back to the parking lot.
   
Wow, look what we found written in the sand!
   
The golden glow is gone and normal daylight takes over.
   
Still impressive though.
   
Looking back one last time.
   
Goodbye Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
 
We headed back to Stovepipe Wells, had breakfast there, then checked out and headed west on Highway 190.
   
 
   
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