Rains can temporarily fill depressions in the salt flats, which are the remains of an ancient lake that evaporated long ago, leaving salt and other minerals behind.

In the background (upper right) is the mighty Panamint Range, whose prominence over Death Valley is one of the main reasons the valley is one of the hottest and driest places on the planet.

These salt flats are near Mustard Canyon, close to the northern end of the great salt pan of Death Valley.

Death Valley NP, CA-- March 2008