Crankshaft Junction / ~ Start of Route

A popular hiking route to the summit at 8,678 ft.  This peak differs from others in Death Valley as there is vegetation.  Pinyon Pine and Juniper trees can be found above 7,600 ft.[Summit Post]

Hanging Rock Canyon is a short but dramatic slice in the rock. Here for a few miles, the road has some pavement, supposedly from workers of an old sulfur mine who used the road years ago.[Trippy]

A remote, primitive campground at the base of Eureka Dunes. This campground is located at 2,880 ft and offers fire pits, picnic tables and one pit toilet. No water. A good place to camp to see sunrise or sunset at Eureka Dunes.[Recreation.gov]

Eureka Dunes, the tallest sand dunes in California, rise almost 700 feet from the Eureka Valley floor and cover an area 3 miles long and 1 mile wide.

If the sand on the dunes is completely dry, you might get to hear a strange phenomena … singing sand.  When the sand moves down the steepest face of the highest dune, a low bass note sound can be heard coming from the sand itself.

Because of the location of the dunes at the base of a mountain range, precipitation from passing storms is captured, making these dunes an island in the desert.  The isolation of the Eureka Dunes from other sand dunes has led to the development of plants and beetles specific to this area only.  Three plants, Eureka Dunegrass, Eureka Dunes Evening Primrose, (both are considered endangered species) Shining Milkvetch and 5 species of beetles, are found only in this unique place.

Hiking to the dunes is permissible, it is a 1.5 miles round-trip hike (no maintained trails).  Carry plenty of water, sun protection and keep your bearings on the parking area. Respect conservation efforts and avoid activities that could disturb local ecology and wildlife.^{[National Park Service, ProTrails]}