With a negative elevation of 86 metres, this is the lowest point in North America. The name is very literally derived; a pool of undrinkable water that nevertheless supports some meagre life. This was actually the site of a body of water once called Lake Manly. Though the lake has by and large evaporated, it made a brief reappearance in 2004 after some severe flooding. The salt flats here are caused primarily by the fast evaporating drainage from Death Valley.

The quirkiest attraction of this place though, has nothing to do with it’s general geology apart from the elevation. That’s the Badwater Ultra Marathon – the “world’s toughest foot race”, extending 137 km from this low point to a height of 2548 metres at Whitney Point (the trailhead to Mount Whitney). It’s a challenge that very few complete, taking place in the extreme climate of mid-July.

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