RACETRACK PLAYA
The story of Racetrack Playa is complicated for us little urbanites.
First you have to go to the United States, and go to the heart of Death Valley. The rental company gives you the instructions: the GPS beacon first, press once for a long time, wait for ten minutes and we will come to pick you up, the anti-puncture spray, it's not for you, it's for those who don't have spare wheels. Ah and a cooler, there is already water inside. Reassuring.
Access is via Racetrack Road, reached at the Grapevine Junction near Scotty's Castle. It takes one hour and a half to dirve the 28 mile rough gravel road heading south-west from Ubehebe Crater. This road might be passable with non-4WD vehicles but requires high ground clearance and specific tires.
The Grandstand, 73 foot high dark quartz monzonite outcrop
Two islands of bedrock outcrops rise dramatically above the playa's surface at its northern end. The larger landmark is The Grandstand is a 73-foot (22 m) high dark quartz monzonite outcrop, rising in dramatic contrast from the bright white surface of the Racetrack.
The sailing stones are a geological phenomenon found in the Racetrack. Dolomite and syenite stones ranging from a few hundred grams to hundreds of kilograms draws visible tracks as they slide across the playa surface, without any human or animal intervention.
Instead, rocks move when ice sheets just a few millimeters thick start to melt during periods of light wind. These thin floating ice panels create an ice shove that moves the rocks.
The Grandstand side
BEHIND THE SCENES
