Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Devil's Golf Course, Death Valley National Park

Devil's Golf Course, Death Valley National Park

(Click image to enlarge)

Several lakes have existed in Death Valley. Mineral salts dissolved by rain falling in the mountains collected here, and were left behind as the lakes evaporated. Alternating layers of salt and gravel extend between 1000 and 9000 feet below the surface. Because Devil’s Golf course is now several feet above the lowest parts of the valley its surface remains dry, allowing rain and wind to sculpt the salt into complex sharp-edged forms.