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 explor

Are they limited to this section of the valley? Do they migrate? Answers to these questions are in the winds. Significant seasonal variations in wind patterns affect the dunes. Winter and summer bring winds from different directions; northerly in winter and southerly in summer. Landforms influence crosswinds and swirling wind currents (eddies). These crosswind and eddy patterns result in decreased wind speed and cause the sand to drop out in the same general area time after time. Seasonal variat

Each wind produces changes to the surface of the sand. It takes a 10 mph (16 kph) wind to move fine, dry sand. During a sandstorm, it may seem as if the sand is blowing thousands of feet into the air. Your view of the distant mountains may be obscured. Don’t be fooled! The dunes are not entirely airborne! What you see are dust particles being carried aloft because they are smaller and lighter than sand grains. Seldom does dune-sized sand itself rise more than 6 ft. (2 m) above the ground, it is

Each area within the dunes has something different to offer. Low dunes near the picnic area have more vegetation than the tall dunes near Highway 190. Plants, visible from the top of many dunes, help the dunes remain here by stabilizing the sand with their branches and roots. You will see different plants, depending on whether you are in the tall or low dunes. You may find them in a different sequence from that used in this booklet. By looking for different shades of green, you should find each

Shoshoni Indians have lived in Death Valley for many years—migrating to the mountains for the hot summer months and returning to the valley for the winter. Their movements were related to supplies of food and water and influence of temperature. It is more likely that areas such as these sand dunes were visited for food gathering rather than as a place of residence. To survive in the desert, the Shoshoni had to learn which plants to eat, where they grew and when to harvest them. They also learned

COYOTE 2¼ in. KANGAROO RAT ¼ in. BEETLE ¼ in. RAVEN 3½ in. KIT FOX 1¾ × 1⅞ in. LIZARD 2 to 3 in. SIDEWINDER 4 in. JACKRABBIT Jackrabbits are not seen often in the dunes, although their tracks and droppings are seen occasionally. They feed on plants, getting moisture from their food rather than from distant springs. Large ears radiate excess body heat and help cool the animal as it rests in shaded areas during the hot day. Have you seen any birds? Birds also leave tracks! The large bird tracks he