Death Valley National Park Things to Do Tips by Yaqui Top 5 Page for this destination

Harmony Borax Harmony Borax Mines Review

When Borax was discovered back in 1881 by William Tell Coleman found near Furnace Creek Ranch (then called Greenland). Harmony plant began to process ore in late 1883 employing at least 40 men who produced three tons of borax daily for five years and went out of operation of production in 1888, when Coleman’s financial empire collapsed. The plant became famous through the use of large mule teams and double wagons "20-mule team" that hauled borax to Mojave. To this day that symbols embodies the hardiness of beast and man!

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Located on Hwy 190, just 1 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes Sand Dunes Review

Update- They have built a parking lot for this specific area. Thank goodness because way too many people parking along both sides of the road was so dangerous.

Just as you pass Stovepipe Wells Village you'll start to see the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes, plus you'll notice because everyone parks their cars along the road, so be careful of people trying to cross the road. Be on alert when walking to the Sand Dunes, there are other critters to consider when hiking through sands, like scorpions, spiders, and yes snakes. If it is hot, wear sun protection and take some water with you please!
How Sand Dunes are created.

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Located on Hwy 190, just 21 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva

Eichbaum Toll Rd Calif. Historical Marker No.848 Stovepipe Wells Review

It reads: NO. 848 EICHBAUM TOLL ROAD - In 1926, H. W. Eichbaum obtained a franchise for a toll road from Darwin Falls to Stovepipe Wells, the first maintained road into Death Valley from the west. It changed the area's economic base from mining to tourism and brought about the creation of Death Valley National Monument seven years later.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 848
Plaque placed by the State Departments of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Death Valley 49ers, Inc., November 12, 1971.

Directions: Death Valley National Monument, 100 ft S of State Hwy 190 (P.M. 85.83), to the right of Stovepipe Wells hotel.

Website: http://www.ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21422

Old Harmony Borax Works Historical Marker #773 Harmony Borax Mines Review

This marker reads:

In 1881 Aaron Winters discovered borax on the marsh near this point. He later sold his holdings to W. T. Coleman of San Francisco, who built the Harmony Borax Works in 1882 and commissioned his superintendent, J. W. S. Perry, to design wagons and locate a suitable route to Mojave. The work of gathering the ore (called 'cottonball') was done by Chinese workmen. From this point, 20-mule teams transported the processed borax 165 miles to the railroad until 1889.

Old Harmony Borax Works Historical Marker#773

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Located on Hwy 190, just 1 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

Burned Wagons Point Marker #441

Just 3 miles south of the orginal site is the village that has California Historical Marker No.441 site of Burned Wagons Point. In 1849 some Jayhawkers miners while trying to establish a shorter route, stopped here and burned what wagons they could spare to dry out some oxen meat to survive. They contiued on with what surviving animals they had. Stovepipe Wells Village has many amenities.

Historical Marker#441

Stovepipe Wells Village
Hwy. 190
Death Valley, California 92328

Directions: Take I-15 North to Baker, California.
Take Highway 127 North to Shoshone.
At Shoshone continue straight to Death Valley Junction.
Turn left on Highway 190, following the signs straight to Death Valley National Park

Phone: 760.786.2387

Stovepipe Wells Village Stovepipe Wells Review

The orginal historical site of Stovepipe is 3 miles north of state route 190. It was named because of the 5 feet of stovepipe pushed into a well. It was one of the main stops for stagecoaches and supplies trains has they travel through DV.

Stovepipe Wells Village

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Stovepipe Wells Village is located on Hwy 190, just 23 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva

Salt Flat Salt Flat Review

It appears the valley is still rich with borates minerals, which in turn the boron comes from. Borates are minerals containing boron, fifth element on Periodic Table, trace amounts exist in rock, soil, water, plants, and people. Boron-containing ores are among the rarest minerals in the world, and used in a variety of household and commercial products. How are borates used? 43% glass, 17% detergents, 12% ceramics & enamels, 5% plant fertilizers, and 23% other uses such as wood treatment, flame retardants, pest control, medicines, cosmetics, nuclear containments, circuit boards, and list can continue.
Borax

Directions: Located on Hwy 190, just 1 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm

Twenty Mule Team Wagon Train Harmony Borax Mines Review

Twenty Mule Teams which were 7,800 pound wagons each hauling at least 12 tons of borax and bone on wheels seven feet high with eight inch steal tires with a train that measured 160 feet long with the best trained twenty mules. They then transported the Borax to the Mojave Desert Railhead 165 miles of scorching desert heat in the summer and freezing temperatures in the winter.
The driver "Skinner", had to handle his mules in all conditions. He was veterinarian, blacksmith, and a repairman when something had to be fixed on the wagon.
The drivers assistant "Swamper" had numerous duties. Going up grades he walked along the teams. On downgrades he handle the brakes on the rear wagon. He also was in charge of making the camp, hooking and unhooking the mules, and feeding them. Gathered fuel for the fires, cooked, and washed the dishes.
It was easy driving them on a straight path, but when they need to manuever around corners is when their intelligence and skill came into play. The mules consisted of specialized teams to perform a specific function. As the team started around a sharp curve, the chain tended to be pulled into a straight line between the lead mules and the wagon. To keep the chain going around the curve, some of the span of mules were ordered to leap the chain and pull at an angle away from the curve. These mules the "pointers" the "sixes" and the "eights" would step along sideways until the curve successfully was a real demonstration of the training and intelligence of the mules as well as the skill of the driver. The (1st) row where called, "The Leaders". The next (5) rows were called, "The Swing Teams", the next (7th) row called, "The Eights, (8th) row called the sixes, (9th) row called the pointers, and the (10th) last row called, "The Wheelers" which were the largest and strongest of the mules. The driver rode the "high wheeler" (left hand mule) and from this position operated the brake on the front wagon.

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Located on Hwy 190, just 1 miles northwest of Furnace Creek

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.borax.com

Furnace Creek Visitor Center Museum Furnace Creek Review

This center includes a wonderful museum that has a wonderful representation of what type of wild life from the past to future. It has so much wonderful information that my 12 year old actually read and enjoyed the material. I had to share a picture of the display case that illustrated past rangers. Pretty cool place. No fees, but do ask for donations.

Open Daily
8am - 6pm

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Furnace Creek is located on Hwy 190, just 23 miles southeast of Stovepipe Wells Village

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva

Furnance Creek Vistor Center Furnace Creek Review

This center was bustling with loads of visitors. Here is where you'll find some park rangers to help you with information about the park. They do charge a small fee for the maps, but it is well worth it. They have a little movie presentation that explains many wonders of the park. A gift shop is on site too. Furnace creek you'll find many amenities too!

Open
8am-6pm daily

Address: Highway 190

Directions: Furnace Creek is located on Hwy 190, just 23 miles southeast of Stovepipe Wells Village

Phone: (760) 786-2387

Website: http://www.nps.gov/deva