Name: Badwater Basin: Where Stars Meet the Salt
Start: 2025-08-23T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Badwater Basin Trailhead

Let’s have some fun with a sunset and astrophotography shoot at one of Las Vegas’ most unusual backdrops, the Seven Magic Mountains.

This large-scale installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone features seven towering stacks of fluorescent-painted boulders, rising 30 to 35 feet high and glowing against the stark Mojave Desert. Originally unveiled in 2016 as a temporary exhibit, its bold fusion of pop art and desert minimalism has made it one of the most photographed art pieces in the region, and now it’s our turn to capture the scene.

We’ll start shooting around golden hour and sunset, then stick around for stars and possibly even the Milky Way core around 9:30 PM. With one of the darkest nights in July on our side (0.4% moon), this is a great opportunity to experiment with long exposures, and maybe even try a little light painting if inspiration strikes.

**MEETUP INFO:**
We will meet at 6:30pm in the parking lot.

This is around a 30 minute drive from Las Vegas, so please plan accordingly to arrive on time.

**MEETUP FEES:**
There will be a $10 fee for this event to help the Desert Photo Explorers defray the cost of using Meetup. Please be prepared to pay the organizer in CASH when we meet.

**PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:**
The short walk is flat but uneven, with small holes that can be tricky to spot, especially on the return in the dark. Sturdy shoes and headlamps/flashlights are strongly recommended.

Additionally, it will be quite hot, even into the night, so bring plenty of water!

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please be courteous and cancel your RSVP so that someone else can attend.

**DESERT PHOTO EXPLORERS LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:**
By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1\. Assumption of Risk: You understand and voluntarily accept that outdoor activities such as hiking\, off\-roading\, and photography carry inherent risks\, including but not limited to injury\, property damage\, or other unforeseen harm\. You agree to assume full responsibility for your participation and the participation of your guest$s$\.
2\. Release of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law\, you release and discharge the Organizer$s$\, Event Host$s$\, and any affiliated individuals or entities from any and all liability for injury\, damage\, loss\, or claims arising from your participation in any event\, including those caused by negligence\.
3\. Personal Responsibility: You confirm that you have reviewed all event instructions\, understand the requirements\, and agree to participate at your own risk\. You are solely responsible for assessing your physical fitness\, skills\, and preparedness to participate in any event\.
4\. Guest Responsibility: If you bring guest$s$\, you agree to communicate these terms to them and accept responsibility for their compliance\.

By submitting your RSVP, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this liability disclaimer and assumption of risk. You further agree that your RSVP submission constitutes your electronic signature.

Desert Photo Explorers

John C

Randi Mears

S Gillespie

Bill Greenblatt

Paul Vincent 

Stan Kaules

Nicholas Klein

Tiffany W

Christine Scheuerman

Sunset, Stars and Seven Magic Mountains

Seven Magic Mountains

Death Valley’s Badwater Basin already feels like another planet with its surreal salt flats and striking polygon patterns, but if we add the Milky Way overhead the photographs should be out of this world!

We’ll start shooting around sunset and continue into the night as the Milky Way rises above the horizon. With only 1.1% moon illumination, we’re in for dark skies and brilliant stars!

The walk to the best polygon formations is approximately 2–3 miles round trip from the parking area. The terrain is flat but uneven, with small holes that can be tricky to spot, especially on the return in the dark. Sturdy shoes and headlamps/flashlights are strongly recommended.

**MEETUP INFO:**
We will meet at 6pm in the parking lot near the trailhead at Badwater Basin.

This is around a 2 hour and 45 minute drive from Las Vegas, so please plan accordingly to arrive on time.

**MEETUP FEES:**
Death Valley National Park requires a pass which is currently $30 per vehicle. There are kiosks at the entrances to the park, or you can purchase one at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. If you have an America the Beautiful pass, that will cover this entrance fee.

**PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:**
While most of the hike will be on salty, level terrain you’ll have to carry your gear up to 2-3 miles for the best photo locations. There are some small potholes and terrain that you will have to navigate, which can be hard to spot in the dark. Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlight for the hike back to the parking lot.

Additionally, it will be quite hot, even into the night, so bring plenty of water!

**ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:**
If your plans change and you are unable to attend, please be courteous and cancel your RSVP so that someone else can attend.

Be sure to have plenty of gas in your vehicle as gas stations are few and far in-between once you leave Pahrump!

**DESERT PHOTO EXPLORERS LIABILITY DISCLAIMER AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK:**
By submitting your RSVP and participating in any Desert Photo Explorers event, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1\. Assumption of Risk: You understand and voluntarily accept that outdoor activities such as hiking\, off\-roading\, and photography carry inherent risks\, including but not limited to injury\, property damage\, or other unforeseen harm\. You agree to assume full responsibility for your participation and the participation of your guest$s$\.
2\. Release of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law\, you release and discharge the Organizer$s$\, Event Host$s$\, and any affiliated individuals or entities from any and all liability for injury\, damage\, loss\, or claims arising from your participation in any event\, including those caused by negligence\.
3\. Personal Responsibility: You confirm that you have reviewed all event instructions\, understand the requirements\, and agree to participate at your own risk\. You are solely responsible for assessing your physical fitness\, skills\, and preparedness to participate in any event\.
4\. Guest Responsibility: If you bring guest$s$\, you agree to communicate these terms to them and accept responsibility for their compliance\.

By submitting your RSVP, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this liability disclaimer and assumption of risk. You further agree that your RSVP submission constitutes your electronic signature.

Dave Wheeler

Thomas Seubert

Michelle Wilson 

Michele

Badwater Basin: Where Stars Meet the Salt

Badwater Basin Trailhead

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