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https://www.google.com/maps/place/Panamint+Valley+Rd,+California/@36.2552558,-117.4249625,12z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x80c0c58aa19bc853:0x60125e691388c053
As Highway 198 rounds the north end of the Slate Range, the first glimpse of Panamint Valley is nothing short of astounding. The sheer vastness of the valley was nearly incomprehensible as I descended onto its open playa.
From afar, the open valley floor appears monotonous, but I quickly noticed pockets of unique habitat with every passing mile. I arrived shortly before dusk, but stayed well past sunset to try and capture the stillness of the desert night.
Time seemed to stand still as I stood in silence waiting for the stars to emerge. The silhouettes of surrounding mountains appeared so close, but the valley’s emptiness was playing tricks on my eyes. These mountains abruptly rise nearly 11,000 feet above the valley floor, but the wide-open playa does little to help convey the valley’s massive scale.
<http://wilderness.org/photographic-tour-through-californias-desert-treasures>
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