Other-worldly and wildly photogenic, with big sky and a gigantic physical scale that makes the surrounding scenery seem like an optical illusion.
Even if you got lost in them, you'd feel OK about it.
I am a Californian. And I had no idea.
Some of the dunes are over 100' high.
An enormous salt flat 280 feet below sea level, with the snow-capped peaks of the Eastern Sierras in the distance.
Think Lord of the Rings, without Mount Doom. Or the Nazguls.
Pink and green-blue sand. Surreal shapes. Fog rolling in at the top. What more could you ask for?
Welcome to Rhyolite, a town that today is populated only by spirits. It is decrepit and creepy.
Amazing to think of this mine in full operation, carting tons of rock from over that hill in the pursuit of riches.
...which both opened and closed in the 1880's.
My trip was in late December. It was awesomely great, with incredible scenery, no crowds, and no sunstroke.
© 2026 Mark Smith
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