,sand ,dunes ,story ,,donna ,p4 ,,bessken ,illustration3 ,map ,to ,scotty's ,castle ,grapevine ,mts4 ,to ,beatty ,death ,valley ,buttes ,funeral ,mts4 ,cottonwood ,mts4 ,kit ,fox ,hills 8,old0 ,stove ,pipe ,wells ,picnic ,area ,tall ,dunes ,stove ,pipe ,wells ,devil's ,cornfield ,mosaic ,canyon ,salt ,creek ,to ,furnace ,creek ,tucki ,mt4 ,to ,lone ,pine ,,welcome6 ,what do ,,you see as ,,you look across the dunes8 ,piles of lifeless sand8 ,a giant sandbox8 ,each of us sees the dunes differently4 ,we would like to share the story of the ,death ,valley ,sand ,dunes with you4 ,this booklet provides answers to some of your questions about the origin1 composition and formation of the dunes4 ,we will also look at the plants1 and for evidence of animals that make their home here4 ,the features discussed are near the edge of the dunes and all you need is your curiosity to explore this fascinating place4 ,a magnifying glass or magnet may add to your enjoyment4 ,remember--the dunes can be hot in spring and fall as well as in summer months4 ,be sure to carry water1 distance is deceiving1 and a short stroll may become an extended walk4 ,do you want to walk barefoot8 ,be careful around the bushes2 thorns and plant debris are hidden in the sand4 ,carry your shoes1 your feet may get tired1 or the sand may become too hot4 ,when you are in the shade1 look around to see if other creatures are sharing the same cool place4 ,this is home for such desert dwellers as lizards1 kangaroo rats and sidewinders4 ,there is no guided trail since wind can soon cover a trail with sand4 ,it's easy to find your way around and can be fun to choose your own route4 ,look behind you to get firmly in your mind which mountain feature will be your landmark to guide you back to your vehicle4 ,to make the best use of this booklet1 flip through it to locate topics of interest4 ,read in sequence1 or follow the order of your discoveries4 ,use your senses to appreciate and explore the sand dunes more fully4 ,pick up some sand occasionally and compare the texture1 temperature and other qualities to that found in other locations4 ,be alert for little things--notice plants1 sand ripples1 animal burrows and tracks4 ,let's walk into the dunes a short distance and learn their secrets4 ,to form sand dunes1 three things are needed3 wind1 sand1 and a place for the sand to collect4 ,the story of the dunes involves interaction among these factors and the plants and animals that make their homes in this sea of sand4 ,,why ,,are ,,the ,,dunes ,,here8 ,are they limited to this section of the valley8 ,do they migrate8 ,answers to these questions are in the winds4 ,illustration3 ,significant seasonal variations in wind patterns affect the dunes4 ,winter and summer bring winds from different directions2 northerly in winter and southerly in summer4 ,landforms influence crosswinds and swirling wind currents 7eddies74 ,these crosswind and eddy patterns result in decreased wind speed and cause the sand to drop out in the same general area time after time4 ,seasonal variations in wind direction help keep the sand in one area4 ,between individual dunes1 white salt deposits are often seen on the surface of an old clay lakebed 7playa74 ,here too1 we see how tall the dunes are because the sand is piled entirely on top of this playa4 ,infrequent rains produce changes in the playa surface1 and occasionally gravel is washed into the area from nearby mountains4 ,because of the clay content of the soil1 rain water does not soak in quickly1 but lies in pools4 ,as the pools evaporate1 fresh deposits of salts and minerals remain on the surface4 ,similar salt deposits throughout the valley to the south minimize the amount of available blowing sand by cementing it together4 ,dunes in ,death ,valley consist of sand from local materials found in nearby mountains4 ,the primary source of this sand is believed to be the ,cottonwood ,mountains to the west and northwest4 ,although the shapes and patterns of individual dunes may vary daily or seasonally1 the dune field itself is relatively stable4 ,illustration3 ,dunes ,pick up some sand6 ,is it fine or coarse8 ,wet or dry8 ,warm or cold8 ,notice the different colors4 ,a magnet may help you separate particles1 and a magnifying glass will allow you to examine them more closely4 ,most black particles are magnetite--most white ones are quartz4 ,other minerals provide still different colors4 ,the sand here is a product of weathering by wind1 rain and chemical changes--breaking blocks of rock 7primarily granite7 from nearby mountains into particles small and light enough to be carried by run-off and tossed around in the frequent desert winds4 ,illustration3 ,take a close look at sand grains4 ,,how ,,are ,,dunes ,,and ,,ripples ,,formed8 ,each wind produces changes to the surface of the sand4 ,it takes a #aj mph 7#af kph7 wind to move fine1 dry sand4 ,during a sandstorm1 it may seem as if the sand is blowing thousands of feet into the air4 ,your view of the distant mountains may be obscured4 ,don't be fooled6 ,the dunes are not entirely airborne6 ,what you see are dust particles being carried aloft because they are smaller and lighter than sand grains4 ,seldom does dune-sized sand itself rise more than #f ft4 7#b m7 above the ground1 it is too heavy4 ,illustration3 ,ripples ,illustration3 ,movement of sand grains ,actually1 most sand travels within about #ah in4 7#df cm7 of the ground in a jumping movement called saltation4 ,a windborne grain bounces a short distance before crashing into the sandy surface sending other grains into flight4 ,the process continues as the wind carries the new grains a little farther1 crashing them1 in turn1 into the surface and other grains along the way4 ,sand grains too heavy to blow in the wind creep along the surface of the sand1 while smaller ones are truly airborne above the dunes4 ,as a consequence1 the entire sand surface flows or creeps along4 ,have you been comparing the texture1 size and color of sand in various sections of the dunes8 ,some differences will be more obvious if you have the chance to visit both the tall dunes by ,highway #aij and the low ones by the picnic area4 ,the soft1 fine sand by the picnic area is carried farther by the wind than the coarser material found in the taller dunes4 ,smaller grains move farther than large ones4 ,as a result of this sorting of sand grains by variable winds1 the larger grains accumulate in small ridges forming ripples4 ,size and shape of these formations are related to specific interactions between sand and wind4 ,the windward side of a dune generally has more dramatic sculpturing4 ,examine an area with interesting ripples4 ,wind speed1 direction1 duration1 and the amount of sand are important factors that have been measured and used to determine the size and spacing of dune ripples4 ,just as these ripples form1 the dunes themselves respond to changes in each of these factors4 ,speed ,size ,,wind ,duration ,,sand ,uniformity ,,ripple ,,formation ,direction ,amount ,illustration3 ,cross-section of dune ,,summit ,,angle ,,of ,,repose ,,slipface ,,windward ,,angle ,,of ,,repose ,,foc #cd ,all dunes may be described by the above traits4 ,variations in shape and size of individual dunes are determined by the mathematical values applied to each of the traits mentioned in the discussion of ripple formation4 ,another feature of interest is the dune shape4 ,among these dunes you may find examples of this classic textbook model and its variations4 ,illustration3 ,plants on the playa in between the dunes ,note that the downwind side of the dune1 the slipface1 is the steeper one4 ,fine dry sand can only pile up so high before it breaks away and slides down the slipface as an avalanche to rest at the more stable angle of repose1 about #cd degrees4 ,we create miniature avalanches as we walk along the crest of a steep dune4 ,,what ,,plants ,,live ,,here8 ,each area within the dunes has something different to offer4 ,low dunes near the picnic area have more vegetation than the tall dunes near ,highway #aij4 ,plants1 visible from the top of many dunes1 help the dunes remain here by stabilizing the sand with their branches and roots4 ,you will see different plants1 depending on whether you are in the tall or low dunes4 ,you may find them in a different sequence from that used in this booklet4 ,by looking for different shades of green1 you should find each of the major shrubs and trees that live in the dunes4 ,use the diagrams and photos to help identify those you see4 ,let's take a closer look to learn how they survive and how they relate to the story of the dunes4 ,can you find a low bush which appears to have no leaves8 ,the stems are jointed and succulent 7juicy7 and vary in color from yellowish to bright green1 depending on the season4 ,pickleweed 7,allenrolfea occidentalis71 is often found on top of low mounds of sand4 ,do the stems look like tiny pickles joined end-to-end8 ,during summer months1 tiny1 inconspicuous1 yellow flowers may be seen at the joints4 ,with a magnifying glass1 you may see the miniature leaves4 ,illustration3 ,,pickleweed 7,allenrolfea occidentalis7 ,by reducing leaf size1 the plant minimizes surface through which water can be lost4 ,green stems assume the task of photosynthesis1 normally done by leaves1 providing food for the plant of this arid environment4 ,although the sand does not often appear wet1 pickleweed suggests water is not far below the surface4 ,it requires a wet soil and can grow in very salty areas4 ,watch for pickleweed near ,badwater also4 ,find a different shrub1 gently rub a leaf and smell it4 ,does it smell faintly like fish8 ,look at the leaf you have just rubbed4 ,did the surface dust rub off to reveal a deeper shade of green8 ,does it have fleshy leaves8 ,if so1 you have found the inkweed 7,suaeda torryana74 ,if your shrub has a less noticeable smell1 and perhaps rubber-like texture1 and if you did not easily remove the white chalky coating from the light gray green leaves1 it is saltbush4 ,if your shrub has numerous tiny spines1 be careful1 you may have found a ,russian thistle 7,salsola kali7 or tumbleweed1 as it is also called4 ,they are not native to ,death ,valley1 but have become established in certain areas4 ,illustration3 ,,inkweed 7,suaeda torryana7 ,inkweed's young succulent leaves and seeds were used for food by local ,shoshoni ,indians4 ,stems and leaves were processed to make a black dye4 ,you may notice tiny balls of seeds at the very ends of some branches4 ,the green flowers are very inconspicuous4 ,illustration3 ,,four-,,wing ,,saltbush 7,atriplex canescens7 ,saltbush is light green and its dry1 flat leaves are covered with salt4 ,roots remove salts from the soil and water1 then the salt is deposited on the outer surface of the leaves4 ,consequently1 the whitened leaf surfaces reflect sunlight1 thereby reducing temperature and water loss4 ,there are male and female saltbushes4 ,you may want to search for seeds or flowers4 ,seeds on female bushes have four tiny wings which give it the name--four-wing saltbush 7,atriplex canescens74 ,seeds were used as food by ,shoshoni ,indians4 ,on your way into the dunes did you notice any other plants8 ,if not1 watch for them as you return to your vehicle4 ,remember1 the kinds of plants vary depending on your location in the dunes4 ,the clumps of grass near the picnic tables are alkali sacaton 7,sporobolis airoides74 ,approaching the tall dunes you may have seen large plants with small1 shiny1 smooth1 dark green leaves--the creosote bush 7,larrea tridentata74 ,it has small yellow flowers1 usually observed in springtime4 ,later1 small1 fuzzy1 white balls containing seeds grow on its branches4 ,the larger green or brown1 walnut shaped growths on the branches are galls formed in response to an insect invader 7midge74 ,if you missed creosote bushes in the dunes1 watch for them along the roadsides--they are common4 ,illustration3 ,,creosote ,,bush 7,larrea tridentata7 ,although the sand dunes seem dry1 there is an underground reservoir providing moisture and nutrients for vegetation4 ,the crusty mud playa acts as a cap and reduces evaporation of the underground water supply4 ,nearby1 at ,salt ,creek1 the same water flows on the surface as a stream during the winter and spring4 ,illustration3 ,,mesquite 7,prosopis glandulosa7 ,most plants grow in the hollows between the dunes where they receive some protection from the wind and can reach water more easily4 ,yet1 the mesquite tree 7,prosopis glandulosa71 probably the largest plant in sight1 is often on top of the dunes4 ,by slowing the wind with its branches1 the mesquite causes sand to pile up in mounds beneath it4 ,sometimes sand completely covers a part of the tree causing branches to die4 ,the sand then blows away1 exposing those dead branches4 ,look for an example which illustrates this sand movement4 ,mesquite trees have thorns1 so be careful4 ,the mesquite tree loses its small1 delicate leaves during winter4 ,its deep root system1 growing #ej-fj ft4 7#af-bj m7 into the ground to reach fresh water1 helps the tree survive4 ,some plants1 such as saltbush1 pickleweed1 and mesquite seem incompatible because of different mineral and water requirements4 ,however1 these plants are able to live near each other because their roots are drawing moisture and nutrients from different levels of the soil4 ,for example1 in a rain forest1 where the roots have ample water1 most plant growth is above ground where competition is for sunlight4 ,whereas in a desert1 where sunlight is abundant1 competition for water is more critical4 ,the root system of desert plants are highly developed1 and each plant will find the optimum level in the soil suitable for its growth4 ,illustration3 ,mesquite tree3 sand collector1 food and shelter for animals and ,shoshoni4 ,be careful not to trample the roots as you explore the mound of sand near the mesquite tree--you may collapse a burrow--remember1 you and the animals may be sharing the same shade4 ,mesquite trees are also special in that they produce an edible and nutritious fruit4 ,in late spring1 tiny1 yellow flower spikes hang from the branches4 ,these develop into yellow bean pods by late summer4 ,many different animals use the beans for food4 ,mesquite beans were also a major food source for the ,shoshoni4 ,,what ,,did ,,the ,,shoshoni ,,do ,,here8 ,shoshoni ,indians have lived in ,death ,valley for many years--migrating to the mountains for the hot summer months and returning to the valley for the winter4 ,their movements were related to supplies of food and water and influence of temperature4 ,it is more likely that areas such as these sand dunes were visited for food gathering rather than as a place of residence4 ,to survive in the desert1 the ,shoshoni had to learn which plants to eat1 where they grew and when to harvest them4 ,they also learned which animals were reliable food sources--where they could be found in abundance and when they were active4 ,use your imagination--how well could you survive in this wild area8 ,where and how would you find water8 ,which plants and animals would you eat8 ,,which ,,animals ,,live ,,here8 ,illustration3 ,,kangaroo ,,rat ,illustration3 ,,burrow ,guess which animal lives in which hole6 ,how large is the entrance8 ,the size of the entrance suggests the size of the animal4 ,how many other openings are nearby8 ,often escape exits save rodents from predators4 ,are there recent tracks nearby to indicate it is an active burrow1 or is it covered with sand and debris blown in by the wind8 ,inside these burrows the temperature and living conditions are not as extreme as those on the surface of the sand4 ,try digging a small hole in the sand well away from bushes4 ,how soon does the sand change as you dig8 ,is it warmer or cooler or wetter8 ,beneath the surface the moderate temperatures and increased moisture provide an escape from the intense heat4 ,consequently1 dune residents spend the day in their dens and are active at night4 ,kangaroo rats1 for example1 cannot tolerate heat and escape it by living underground4 ,also they are active only at night4 ,they are very efficient water conservationists4 ,although water is essential to the kangaroo rat1 they rarely drink1 but produce their own water from insects and dry seeds they eat4 ,they have no sweat glands1 and excrete highly concentrated wastes to minimize water loss4 ,these rodents are not related to kangaroos at all6 ,their name refers to their hind legs which are highly developed for jumping4 ,watch for their tracks--when a kangaroo rat is moving slowly1 it drags its tail which leaves a trail in the sand in conjunction with its foot prints4 ,when the rat moves quickly1 its tail doesn't drag4 ,from clues such as these we can determine whether the rat is running from a predator or just leisurely looking for food4 ,the entrances to their burrows are about #d-e in4 7#aj-ab cm7 in diameter and may be #c ft4 7#a m7 or more deep4 ,smaller rodents1 such as pocket mice1 have similar habits but live in smaller burrows4 ,lizards are more active during daylight hours4 ,even though they tolerate higher temperatures than rodents1 they would perish if they were stranded in the open sun for an extended period of time4 ,notice how they run from bush to bush1 seeking the protective coolness as well as cover4 ,lizards are cold-blooded animals1 responding to temperatures around them--cold1 inactive--warm1 active4 ,in the winter months1 there is very little lizard activity4 ,however1 summer days with ground temperatures reaching #bjj degrees ,f4 7#ib degrees ,c47 or more are too hot for lizards1 and they must seek shelter4 ,they eat plant material1 insects and smaller lizards1 obtaining moisture from their food4 ,they also conserve water by excreting highly concentrated waste4 ,illustration3 ,,lizards ,perhaps least observed1 but most inquired about dunes dweller1 is the sidewinder4 ,have you seen evidence of this rattlesnake today8 ,it moves in a sidewise manner leaving a series of parallel1 ,j-shaped tracks in the sand4 ,by looping across the sand1 the sidewinder reduces slippage over the loose material and decreases the amount of body surface in contact with the hot sand4 ,sidewinders are primarily active at night1 and escape the heat of the day under a bush or buried in the sand1 exposing only the small horn-like structures on their heads4 ,they eat kangaroo rats1 mice and lizards4 ,imagine the dunes as an ocean where all the sand is water and plants are islands scattered about4 ,each island offers shelter and a food supply for the animals4 ,everytime an animal leaves the security of an island it takes a risk4 ,in daylight1 people may play in the sand1 but at night the dunes come alive with the real business of survival4 ,usually all we see of this activity the following morning is the evidence--tracks4 ,some tracks are easily identified--each tells a story4 ,use the diagrams to determine which animals most recently crossed the sea of sand around you4 ,illustration3 ,,kit ,,fox ,coyotes come into the dunes for food4 ,true opportunists1 they eat whatever is available--mice1 kangaroo rats1 rabbits1 insects1 mesquite beans and many other things4 ,their tracks are difficult to distinguish from those left by domestic dogs4 ,smaller dog-like tracks are left by the kit fox4 ,these small foxes have large ears and well padded feet4 ,they too feed on small rodents4 ,coyotes and kit foxes receive moisture from their food and drink water at springs within their hunting range4 ,they avoid exposure to heat by being active at night and staying in dens or shaded areas during the heat of the day4 ,,tracks ,illustration3 ,,coyote #b in4 ,illustration3 ,,kangaroo ,,rat in4 ,illustration3 ,,beetle in4 ,illustration3 ,,raven #c in4 ,illustration3 ,,kit ,,fox #a #a in4 ,illustration3 ,,lizard #b to #c in4 ,illustration3 ,,sidewinder #d in4 ,illustration3 ,,jackrabbit ,jackrabbits are not seen often in the dunes1 although their tracks and droppings are seen occasionally4 ,they feed on plants1 getting moisture from their food rather than from distant springs4 ,large ears radiate excess body heat and help cool the animal as it rests in shaded areas during the hot day4 ,have you seen any birds8 ,birds also leave tracks6 ,the large bird tracks here are generally left by ravens--big1 black birds which eat almost anything4 ,in the spring and fall1 some migrating birds stop briefly4 ,shrikes1 sparrows1 kingbirds and blackbirds are among the visitors and residents of the dunes4 ,insects and vegetation provide food and shelter for them4 ,illustration3 ,,beetle ,have you seen any insects8 ,tracks resembling those of a tiny bulldozer tell us where beetles have traveled4 ,shiny black circus beetles or stinkbugs and gray snout beetles are often seen4 ,since most activity in the dunes takes place at night1 very little of this action is observed4 ,however1 in the morning we can stroll in the sand and unravel the secrets of the previous night4 ,as you look at each set of tracks1 imagine what the animal looks like as it moves4 ,how big is it8 ,how many feet does it have8 ,are the feet side by side as though jumping like rodents or rabbits1 or do they alternate as in the walking or running motion of lizards8 ,how far apart are the prints8 ,does the animal drag its tail8 ,now1 where do the tracks go8 ,follow some animal tracks to see what interactions have taken place4 ,the same animal may leave different tracks on different sand surfaces or under difference circumstances4 ,notice your own tracks as you walk1 run1 jump or sit in loose or firm sand4 ,try it6 ,in many respects these dunes are like any ,other deposits of windblown sand along the coast or in deserts4 ,they reflect variations in the sand supply and respond to particular wind patterns following the same basic1 natural principles4 ,several other ,national ,parks and ,monuments have sand dunes of various sizes and composition4 ,death ,valley dunes are not the largest in the ,united ,states by any means6 ,here the dunes reach a height of #hj ft4 7#bd m74 ,they provide a visual change of pace with their soft lines and shadows in contrast to the sharp1 rugged mountain peaks around them4 ,sand soft fine ,easy to sift and mold4 ,once a solid block of rock now weathered very old4 ,blown by winds into dunes and features4 ,forming a hot dry home for desert creatures4 ,patterns of shadow and shade by tree and sand dune made4 ,walk touch explore ,enjoy the dunes and come back once more4 ,donna ,paul ,bessken ,illustration3 ,dunes ,we hope you have enjoyed this walking tour4 ,as you continue to explore ,death ,valley ,national ,monument1 contact any ,national ,park ,service employee if you need information or assistance4 ,illustration3 ,,national ,,park ,,service ,u4 ,s4 ,,department ,,of ,,the ,,interior ,national ,park ,service ,as the ,nation's principal conservation agency1 the ,department of the ,interior has basic responsibilities for water1 fish1 wildlife1 mineral1 land1 park and recreational resources4 ,indian and territorial affairs are other major concerns of ,america's 8,department of ,natural ,resources40 ,the ,department works to assure the wisest choice in managing all our resources so each will make its full contribution to a better ,united ,states--now and in the future4 ,illustration3 ,death ,valley ,natural ,history ,association ,the ,death ,valley ,natural ,history ,association is a non-profit organization pledged to aid in the preservation and interpretation of the outstanding features of ,death ,valley ,national ,monument4 ,,for ,,information ,,and ,,membership ,,contact ,death ,valley ,natural ,history ,association ,p4,o4 ,box #ahh ,death ,valley1 ,california #ibcbh ,,credits3 ,,text3 ,,donna ,p4 ,,bessken ,,photography3 ,t4 ,,forbes ,,osborn ,,edited ,,by3 ,,virgil ,j4 ,,olson ,,drawings3 ,,sylvia ,,stosser ,,design ,,and ,,graphics3 ,,russ ,,johnson ,,georgia ,,summers ,chalfant ,press ,illustration3 wraparound cover illustration ,transcriber's ,notes --,silently corrected a few typos4 --,retained publication information from the printed edition3 this e,book is public-domain in the country of publication4 --,in the text versions only1 text in italics is delimited by underscores4