This Wildlife refuge is home to dozens of species of birds and fish as well as being a stop-over for birds following the Great Pacific Migratory Path. The roads to Devil's Hole and through Ash Meadows are either gravel or graded dirt which could become quite slippery when wet, I suspect. Hooked up with route 210 in Nevada and crossed into California passing the town of Death Valley Junction. 19 and thirty miles later I entered Death Valley National Park. Somewhere along this road, you will notice a vein of coal discovered when the road was blasted out of the surrounding mountainside.
Many visitors stop and dig a small chunk of coal out of the seam.
My first stop was Zabriskie Point. Rolling dunes of sedimentary rock laid down millions of years ago gives the area an other-worldly air. Traces of color can be seen running through the rock dunes indicating mineral deposits. A large sign provides history and geology info. I continued north passing the famous Furnace Creek Inn and across the street, Furnace Creek Ranch until I reached the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.