View looking north from near the top of the star dune near Stovepipe
Wells. Plants established in the valley between the large dunes are a
testament to the long-term stability of the dune field. Beyond the dunes
is the dry lakebed of Mesquite Flat; during the last Ice Age it was flooded
by Lake Manly. The lake diminished and eventually dried up after the last ice age ended (about 10,000 years ago). The Grapevine Mountains are in the distance. |