Panamint Valley

The Panamint Valley is a very special place to me, as I have had many of my fondest adventures here. As you head over the pass from Searles Valley you are greeted with a spectacular view; a vast expanse of desert beauty presided over by the grand Panamint Mountain range and crowned by Telescope Peak. What makes the Panamint Valley unique is that it is nearly devoid of human activity. The only obvious sign of civilization is the lonely highway stretching down the middle.

Once down the pass, the highway takes you closer to the Panamints. There is a peculiar absence of foothills, and the contrast between the towering wall of the range and the flat valley floor makes the Panamints seem more imposing than even the Sierras. Up close I feel the same peace and humility I feel when I stand next to the ocean. I also feel a sense of exhilaration and possibility when I think of all the potentially cool adventures to be had should I choose to explore them.

The glorious absence of civilization in the Panamint Valley makes for some excellent stargazing. Much of the land is BLM, so you are free to park, camp, and gawk the night away. Just be prepared to survive on your own, because your nearest neighbor will seem as far, far away as that galaxy you're scoping.