A Hike to Natural Bridge

Death Valley National Park

The short hike to the Natural Bridge is a lesson in Death Valley Geology 101.   At the trail head is an excellent exhibit with drawings and explanations of what you will see as you walk through the canyon.

The formation of Death Valley in California began three million years ago with the battle of the earth's crusts. Valleys and mountain ranges were formed.   Many of these faults, of course, are still active today.  Death Valley may continue to fall.  You can see the fault lines in the rocks, linear fractures which have been filled with mud and sand over the centuries.

This particular canyon was once an ancient alluvial fan.  Over the last several thousands of years, flash flooding created a channel through the debris.  The beautiful rock bridge was carved by such a flood.

The above "waterfalls" were interesting formations.  They were also shaped by vertical chutes of water from flash flooding.  There were signs posted everywhere in Death Valley warning hikers and campers of flash floods.  It's hard to believe such events occur in such a hot, dry region, but all you have to do is walk through these canyons to see the results of these periodic forces of nature.

These "wax drippings" on this wall, reminded me of ancient petroglyphs.  They, too, were created by water dripping down the canyon walls.  As the water evaporates, thin strips of mud are left behind.

This is an easy uphill hike and consequently, there were many people on the trail.  Not everyone took the time to read the exhibits.  We told one couple there was a waterfall beyond the bridge.  "Yeah, right," the guy said, rolling his eyes.

 Oh, well, we tried!