Racetrack Playa

Sailing Stone, Racetrack Playa, Death Valley

Yesterday we went to Racetrack Playa to see the 'sailing stones'. Racetrack is situated above Death Valley in Inyo County, California. Rented two four wheel drive Jeeps and headed out mid-day on the 72 mile trek - the last 28 miles being on rocky roads.....

The 'sailing stones' seem to move across the surface of Racetrack leaving a track behind, apparently not caused by human hand. They move across the Playa surface approximately once every two years leaving a track that they say lasts for two or three years.

The general consensus, although no one has ever seen them moving, is that strong winds with speeds up to 90 miles per hour move the stones across Racetrack. Another theory is that rain accumulates, which at lower temperatures turn to ice, and coupled with the strong wind, causes the larger rocks to slide across Racetrack.

If you can get out to Death Valley this is a day well spent.....