Reply From Death Valley
“A Couple Disappear in Bermuda Triangle of Death Valley” by Ann Japenga on Dec. 21 is an unjust slam at Death Valley--at least to us Death Valley lovers!
As the article states, these disappearances took place in the Saline Valley, some 40 miles from Lone Pine, which is in the Owens Valley.
The Saline Valley is some 160 miles from Scotty’s Castle in the Death Valley National Monument, or, if one has a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle, a shorter distance, which still takes about three hours.
The Saline Valley has no developed campgrounds, is all on Bureau of Land Management land and indeed houses some strange characters. By contrast, Death Valley’s campgrounds are well developed and professionally run by the National Park Serice with no one permitted to stay for longer than 30 days.
The pictured road sign is close to Big Pine just before the dirt road splits to Saline Valley and to Death Valley.
The quote “Disappear Here” on a painting at the the Furnace Creek Inn is some 140 miles from Saline Valley.
To speak of the Bermuda Triangle of Death Valley is misleading sensationalism, equivalent to calling a San Clemente crime part of the San Fernando Valley crime problem.
BEN DORGELO
Los Angeles
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