360 Virtual panorama of Death Valley from Zabriskie Point overlook

	Perhaps it was growing up watching Death Valley Days on TV, or maybe it's just that I enjoy travelling and getting to know new country, but I was really looking forward to visting the lowest place in North America. We visited Death Valley at the end of January in 2001, after attending the North American Nature Photographer's trade show in Las Vegas. I wasn't prepared for the immensity, and diversity of terrain to be found in Death Valley National Park. We were only there for 4 days, but were treated to an unusual combination of weather - for Death Valley. It not only rained, but it also snowed some. The moisture really helped bring out the colors in the various rock formations and eroded valleys. Having snow capped mountains around the valley also added to the drama. After scouting out a number of views, I decided to head up to the Zabriskie Point overlook for the dawn light after the second day of rainy weather. We were treated to a beautiful panoramic view as the early soft light highlighted all the pastels in the canyons and on the distant mountains across Death Valley. This view looks over Gower Gulch and Golden Canyon, and the lookout area at Zabriskie Point. The valley beyond the canyon is the lowest place in Death Valley at 242 feet below sea level. Telescope Peak at just over 11,000 feet is on the other side of the valley making for some very dramatic relief.