Posted by David A. Wright on July 08, 1999 at 23:02:59:
In Reply to: Death Valley area posted by Doug on July 08, 1999 at 01:44:07:
REPLY:
Darwin and Keeler are fairly high in elevation and thus cooler. Darwin is a bit over 5000 feet and summer tempuratures are in the high 90s and occasionally over 100. Keeler is at 3650 feet and runs 100� to 105� and occasionally higher. Ballarat (elevation 1100 feet) will often be 105� to 115�, occasionally 120�+.
Other places you might want to see are Cerro Gordo above Keeler (9000 feet and much cooler -- drive up in the morning when cooler or there's a good chance your car will overheat on the short but steep climb up from Keeler), Bend City (E of Independence -- see page on this website), San Carlos (N of Bend City along abandoned RR grade and more ruins than Bend City), Manzanar Japanese internment camp ruins (be sure to get self guided tour book at Eastern California Museum in nearby Independence), Laws Railroad Museum near Bishop, the small ghost camps near Mammoth Lakes (high altitude w/forests and lakes -- check w/Cat & Ripley), Bennettville (see page on this website), Bodie.
Be sure to stop by museums along the way. Darwin Museum now located at Lone Pine, Eastern California Museum at Independence, Laws Railroad Museum, The Old Schoolhouse Museum in Lee Vining, Mono Lake Visitors Center nearby in Lee Vining.