The last 1/4 mile drive is a 15% grade the end of 11 miles uphill to Dante’s Viewpoint, providing a panoramic view of the valley that earns the name Death Valley, an altitude gain of 5,500 feet.  A notable contrast are the snow-capped Panamint Mountains, 11,000 feet above the salt basin below, the lowest point in North America. 

Dante’s View is on a mountain named Coffin Peak, part of the Black Mountains.   At one time the Panamint Mountains were on top of the Black Mountains and slid off to the west.  Today, geologically the Black Mountains are moving south, the Panamint Mountain are moving west and the valley floor is falling.  Plate tectonics accounts for this land movement. 

We hope you are enjoying us tell a little about our Death Valley experience.  Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you think.