The valley is a never ending series if surprises.

One of the biggest surprises is Furnace Springs, a genuine oasis, a water hole in the desert.

Then there are the great borax flats. This is where the "20 mule team" of Boroxo was used to haul the mined borax from inhospitable valley.

This was mid-April and that temperature reading is accurate. Snow was still visible on the mountain tops surrounding the valley