Sand Dunes Story DONNA P. BESSKEN [Illustration: Map] To Scotty’s Castle Grapevine Mts. To Beatty Death Valley Buttes Funeral Mts. Cottonwood Mts. Kit Fox Hills “Old” Stove Pipe Wells Picnic Area Tall Dunes Stove Pipe Wells Devil’s Cornfield Mosaic Canyon Salt Creek To Furnace Creek Tucki Mt. To Lone Pine WELCOME! What do YOU see as YOU look across the dunes? Piles of lifeless sand? A giant sandbox? Each of us sees the dunes differently. We would like to share the story of the Death Valley Sand Dunes with you. This booklet provides answers to some of your questions about the origin, composition and formation of the dunes. We will also look at the plants, and for evidence of animals that make their home here. The features discussed are near the edge of the dunes and all you need is your curiosity to explore this fascinating place. A magnifying glass or magnet may add to your enjoyment. Remember—the dunes can be hot in spring and fall as well as in summer months. Be sure to carry water, distance is deceiving, and a short stroll may become an extended walk. Do you want to walk barefoot? Be careful around the bushes; thorns and plant debris are hidden in the sand. Carry your shoes, your feet may get tired, or the sand may become too hot. When you are in the shade, look around to see if other creatures are sharing the same cool place. This is home for such desert dwellers as lizards, kangaroo rats and sidewinders. There is no guided trail since wind can soon cover a trail with sand. It’s easy to find your way around and can be fun to choose your own route. Look behind you to get firmly in your mind which mountain feature will be your landmark to guide you back to your vehicle. To make the best use of this booklet, flip through it to locate topics of interest. Read in sequence, or follow the order of your discoveries. Use your senses to appreciate and explore the sand dunes more fully. Pick up some sand occasionally and compare the texture, temperature and other qualities to that found in other locations. Be alert for little things—notice plants, sand ripples, animal burrows and tracks. Let’s walk into the dunes a short distance and learn their secrets. To form sand dunes, three things are needed: wind, sand, and a place for the sand to collect. The story of the dunes involves interaction among these factors and the plants and animals that make their homes in this sea of sand. WHY ARE THE DUNES HERE? Are they limited to this section of the valley? Do they migrate? Answers to these questions are in the winds. [Illustration: _Significant seasonal variations in wind patterns affect the dunes._]