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Geothermal areas always intrigue people, but must be approached cautiously.
Bumpass Hell, Lassen Volcanic NP, CA (1985).
Miles of salt crystals cover the floor of Death Valley.
Devils Golf Course, Death Valley NM, CA (1985).
Though they cover only a very small part of the desert, sand dunes attract a lot of attention.
sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley NM, CA (1985).
This waterfall plunges straight into the ocean.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP, CA (1977).
Geysers are rare, and usually put on a good show.
Old Faithful Geyser, Calistoga, CA (1984).
Entire towns have grown up around hot springs and mineral waters.
Calistoga, CA (1989).
One of the first Bigtrees discovered, it was cut down so it could be displayed in England.
North Grove, Calaveras Bigtrees SP, CA (1985).
The most famous drive-through tree -- until it collapsed under the heavy spring snowpack of 1969.
Wawona Tunnel Tree, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite NP, CA (1979).
This already-dead tree was hollowed so stage coaches could drive through.
Dead Giant tunnel tree, Tuolumne Grove, Yosemite NP, CA (1985).
Poet Joaquin Miller described Mount Shasta: "Lonely as God and white as a winter's moon".
Highway 97 north of Weed, CA (1969).
Yosemite's famous waterfalls can be viewed from many angles.
Clark Point, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite NP, CA (1983).
Huge stone steps and a steel ladder allow hikers to climb to the top of the falls.
Mist Trail below Vernal Falls, Yosemite NP, CA (1993).
A cowboy is said to have called it "a heck of a place to lose a cow".
Bryce Canyon NM, UT (1978).
There are wateralls deep inside the Grand Canyon, but not many people see them, because there is no road.
Havasu Falls, Havasupai IR, AZ (1989).
Some people see the profile of a human face in this mountainous skyline.
Cochise Head, Chiricahua NM, AZ (1988).
Scientists agree this vast crater was created by the impact of a meteor.
Meteor Crater, near Winslow, AZ (1980).
Made famous by a hundred movies.
Monument Valley Tribal Park, near Kayenta, AZ (1981).
From the rim of the Grand Canyon one looks down on the tops of mountains.
Cheops Pyramid, from Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon NP, AZ (1981).
This river is muddy because it runs through the Painted Desert -- and overgrazed land.
Grand Falls of the Little Colorado, near Leupp, Navajo IR, AZ (1987).
The Old Faithful geyser is such a famous attraction that there are permanent bleachers set up around it and huge crowds gather for the hourly show.
Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone NP, WY (1978).
Huge pieces of gem quality petrified wood litter the ground.
Petrified Forest NP, AZ (1980).
These sand dunes derived from the red sandstones of Zion and Bryce, which were themselves formed from ancient dunes.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP, near Kanab, UT (1979).
The cold lime-laden waters of Havasu Creek have built these terraces.
Havasu Creek Campground, Havasupai IR, AZ (1989).
Steam vents, hot springs, even geysers, come and go, sometimes unexpectedly.
Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone NP, WY (1977).
Intense light and blowing sand called for a special design of picnic table.
White Sands NM, NM (1980).