After a beautiful hike in the Mesquite Dunes, I was ready for my next adventure in Death Valley.
My next stop was Harmony Borax Works. It’s a short 1/2 miles walk the site of some old machinery used in the manufacture, and mining of borate.
Since I love museums, I had to make a stop here. I have always had some borax in the house, for cleaning. It’s great for dealing with unwanted bugs too.
You follow this fence up a slight hill to see the old machinery.
There was some sort of chimney here.
These are some of the largest old wagon wheels I have ever seen.
I was able to read about the Twenty Mule Teams here, and how the “20 Mule Team,” got its name.
Now I can see why 20 mules were needed. This looks heavy.
The Shoshone
The desert of Death Valley here was long inhabited by the Timbisha Shoshone people who understood how to use its resources wisely. Due to the extreme temperatures, they lived according to the seasons, gathering the plants, and hunted rabbits, for food.
They located natural springs, for use as water sources. They migrated to the valley floor to hunt in winter (wild rabbits), and then ascended back up the 7000+ peaks above it in summer.
Desert Survival
I wondered how anyone could survive here, find food, and staying cool, The Shoshone were able to effectively escape the intense heat of Death Valley in summer by climbing up to the higher peaks. They lived here in harmony, for thousands of years until miners arrived.
More Places to Explore
Telescope Peak and the Wildrose Kilns are places I would like to explore. These are best visited in late spring, or fall, when snow has melted.
There are lots of places I would have liked to see, but I did not have the right vehicle for the terrain. A high clearance vehicle is the only way to see places like the Ubehebe Crater, and the famous racetrack.
A National Parks Pass
You can order a parks pass online, or purchase one at a visitors center. So it was on to Furnace Creek to obtain a National Parks Pass.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
Follow my Journey…
Be sure to Like and Subscribe to My Youtube Channel where I post videos!
Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2021 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
Serafina Hikes 