Death Valley National Park is a phenomenal study of erosion, weather, geology, sand dunes, salt formations, and huge spring wildflower blooms on rare occasions.
Aguereberry Point is one of my must-see areas in the park.
The point’s elevation reaches 6,433 ft and is named for Jean Pierre “Pete” Aguereberry, a Basque miner who was born in 1874, emigrated from France in 1890, and lived at and worked the nearby Eureka Mine from 1905 to his death in 1945.
The road to the top is very rough. The park recommends a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. I took the trip on numerous occasions in a regular car, but you better be comfortable driving in some very unpleasant looking spots, and you better not make a mistake navigating the ruts. I saw two jeeps with flat tires, undoubtedly driving too fast or not paying attention.
The road is a bit hair-raising the first time you go to the top. After you have done it once the next time seems easy or at least easier. There is no place to turn around once you start the climb.
The feature image is from a magical trip on Christmas Eve. It was completely fogged in on the way up, with some snow falling, and I was wondering what the hell I was even doing. Towards sunset, the fog lifted.
There is no view until you reach the top.
Feature Image Details
- Canon EOS 6D
- Canon 16-35MM F4 L Lens at F16, ISO 100, at 32mm for 1/20 of a second.
The feature image is a single shot, not a composite or focus stack.
Here are some additional images. All the ones with fog or snow were taken on Christmas Eve.
The above image is a focus stack of three images. I was inches away from the rock. The stack is at the point closest to me, then in the middle of the rock group, then at infinity.
That image was taken at another time, one Spring.
Don’t overlook the details. There are numerous opportunities for colorful lichens on marble. These kinds of images look best in quiet light. I took that image after sunset.
Aguereberry Camp
Those not interested in taking the road up to the top can make it to the Aguereberry Camp, “Pete” Aguereberry’s homestead, and the nearby Eureka Mine, relatively easily.
The road all the way is brutal deadpan so you must drive slow and watch for rocks. There are no ruts or real danger of bottoming the car if one is reasonably careful.
This is what’s left of Aguereberry Camp.
I took that car image one morning shortly after sunrise. Anyone recognize the car?
Equipment List
Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.
If you missed them, please check out my previous articles.
- Death Valley: Zabriskie Point Sunrise, Manly Beacon
- Death Valley: Dante’s View Sunrise
- Death Valley: Artist’s Palette
- Death Valley: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Sunset
- Death Valley: Badwater, Salt Polygons, Devil’s Golf Course
- Death Valley: Golden Canyon Sunset and Moonrise Images
- Death Valley: Natural Bridge, It’s Another World
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Mike “Mish” Shedlock
Buick Skylark??? just a guess
I do not know. Hopefully, someone with some skills in this area has a definitive answer.
If you can google early 1950s Buick, take a look at Buick Skylark and Buick Roadmaster photos. They both appear to have that aggressive vertical grill work.