Closed Sand Dune Areas
Panamint Dunes
Panamint Dunes are closed to vehicles
Location: Eastern California. Inyo County. Small sand dunes in the
northern end of Panamint Valley.
Managed By: National Park Service. The dunes were managed by the BLM
until 1994 when passage of the California Desert Protection Act (CDPA) of 1994
transferred the area to the National Park Service (NPS) at Death Valley National
Park. Designated as a Wilderness Area.
Size:
Date of Closure: 1994
Type of Closure: Permanent
Reason for Closure: Wilderness Designation, California
Desert Protection Act
Other information: Panamint Valley is
a 100 mile long, 2 to 10 mile wide depression sandwiched between the Panamint
Range on the east and the Argus and Slate ranges on the west. It's northern end
is bounded by hills that back the unique Panamint sand dunes. Travelers
crossing Panamint Valley on Hwy. 190 may view these dunes as a distant, pale
smudge to the north. Those wanting a closer look must drive the unmarked, dirt
road leading to the Big Four Mine, then hike cross-country 3 miles. The other
dunes of Death Valley are all situated on flat valley floors, but these are
perched on a slope.
Endangered or Threatened Species:
Links:
Other Photos:
Back to Closed Dunes
Back to Sand Dune Guide
|
