Artist’s Palette by Mark Gunn (California photo spot)

Artist’s Palette is an area on the face of the Black Mountains noted for a variety of rock colours. These colours are caused by the oxidation of different metals (iron compounds produce red, pink and yellow, decomposition produces green, and manganese produces purple). This area is easily accessible along Artists Drive (nine miles south of Furnace Creek on Badwater Road). The route is a one-way paved road traveling from south to north. The 9-mile drive climbs above Badwater Road for an impressive perspective on Death Valley below. There are plenty of turnouts to allow visitors to get out of the car and take pictures. (Furnace Creek, California, USA)