Catch ‘superbloom’ of wildflowers at Death Valley — PHOTOS
PHOTOS AND STORY by CHASE STEVENS • LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @csstevensphoto
People take photos of the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Las Vegas resident Tony Santo looks for a place to set up his large format camera among the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Jensen Hallstrom of Fullerton, Calif., takes a photo of the wildflowers along Badwater Road with a Rolleiflex camera in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A motorcycle drives along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” Chase (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Olivia Wyatt films wildflowers with a Super 9 camera along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” Chase (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A woman waits for her photo to be taken as she walks among the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Las Vegas resident Tony Santo, right, sets up is large format camera to take photos of the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)Follow @csstevensphoto
A wildflower is shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Goeff Rutledge, left, and Faye Saunders, both of San Carlos, Calif., walk among the wildflowers along California State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Las Vegas resident Tony Santo looks for a place to set up his large format camera among the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People look at a map at the visitors center at Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along California State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Ivett Molnar, left, waits to take a photo of Istvan Horvath, with his daughter Hanna Horvath, 5, of Berkeley Calif., among the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Bailing Zhang of Palos Verdes, Calif., center, takes a photo as Herman Pang, left, and Felix Pang look on during a stop along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown near Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown in the distance in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A couple walks their dog at a stop along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A car moves along Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Cars drive along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A man takes a photo of wildflowers along Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
A wildflower is shown along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Five-year-old Hanna Horvath, left, looks at the wildflowers as Istvan Horvath, right, and Ivett Molnar look on along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Cars drive on a dirt road off of Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People take photos of the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People walk outside of the visitors center at Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People explore wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People cross Badwater Road to see wildflowers in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Traffic moves along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
People sit among the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Bailing Zhang of Palos Verdes, Calif. walks past wildflowers during a stop along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Markella Hall, from left, Melissa Pacult, and Angelique Balistreri explore wildflowers along Artists Drive at Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)Follow @csstevensphoto
People walk past wildflowers during a stop along Artists Drive in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)l Follow @csstevensphoto
A lone bike sits along California State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Goeff Rutledge of San Carlos, Calif. sits among the wildflowers along California State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Goeff Rutledge, left, and Faye Saunders, both of San Carlos, Calif., walk among the wildflowers along California State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Wildflowers are shown along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @csstevensphoto
Las Vegas resident Tony Santo, right, sets up is large format camera to take photos of the wildflowers along Badwater Road in Death Valley National Park, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. The National Park Service said in a statement that the “current bloom in Death Valley exceeds anything park staff has seen since the 2005. Some people are calling it a “super bloom,” which is not an official term.” (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)Follow @csstevensphoto
I’ve always been fascinated by Death Valley National Park. From its odd history (such as with Scotty’s Castle) and its expansive, natural spectacles to its places with peculiar names such as Furnace Creek, Devil’s Golf Course, Badwater Basin and Dante’s Inferno, Death Valley has always seemed like some mythological realm out of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel — and yet it lies just a two-and-a-half-hour drive away from the starry glamour of the Las Vegas Strip.
But just like Middle Earth, Death Valley can feature tranquil scenes just as it can conjure ones more akin to Mordor — and that is happening more now with the “superbloom” wildflowers sprouting up all over the desert valley. The last time this happened was just more than a decade ago, in 2005.
Getting the opportunity to go out there is quite an experience, as is seeing the park packed like never before. Equally enjoyable was photographing it all — as well as seeing how people themselves chose to experience this natural wonder.
Many had their smartphones out, snapping away at the countless fields of flowers, some had their large DSLRs and tripods, a few took it slow, with their old-fashioned film cameras, and some just slowly wandered, and, on occasion, stopped to smell the flowers.
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