California Photo Scout

Car Monster

When you drive on CA-190 toward Death Valley, you will see a road sign to Darwin. Paying no attention, nearly everyone flies by. Nobody seems to care about this lonely small town decaying in the hot summer sun of the Inyo Mountains.

Darwin is a desolate place, a sorry excuse for a city whose best days are over 100 years away. A few individuals still cling on to life in this peculiar and eerie town at the edge of Death Valley. Of the “50 or so” inhabitants that the city limits sign announces, you will see mostly distrusting eyes lurking behind closed windows. Who can blame them? What cruel deity has banned them to this pitiful stretch of America? A few people actually drive around in cars whose value doubles each they fill it up.

Darwin is an interesting place for photography. It is worth the quick detour for the bizarre, twisted pictures you can take here. You cannot help feeling funny when you arrive and feeling better when you leave.

How to get there

The turnoff to Darwin Road from CA-190 is 12.8 miles from the CA-190 and CA-136 intersection. Coming from the south, you will take CA-190 to Death Valley, near Olancha. From the north, take CA-136 near Lone Pine.

Darwin road leads right into town. Drive 5.5 miles to the town center.

Tip: The gas station just south of CA-190 and CA-395 intersection always had the better prices on all my visits to this area.

GPS position

36°16’5.19″N 117°35’31.03″W

How to photograph Darwin

Darwin Post Office and Gas Station

Probably the most interesting large subjects are the large yellow water truck (first image of the article) and the gas station / post office.

I used a wide-angle lens and stepped very close to the water truck. The distortion adds character to the truck that almost appears like a yellow monster with its mouth gaping open, as if it wants to swallow you. The yellow color and blue sky complement each other wonderfully. Shooting through the passenger window, framing the city through the driver’s eyes, also creates very appealing compositions.

The gas station is yet another forgotten jewel. The old gas pumps are relics that should be placed under protection. Thankfully, the dry air helps to preserve these spectacular antiques. I used them to frame the post office, but they also make superb subjects by themselves against the dark blue sky.

Lizard in Darwin

At first glance, there does not seem to be much else here, but look closer before you leave disappointed. The thing that really stands out at this location is the amount of interesting details you can find everywhere. A plaster samurai peaking through the windows of an old barn, a strung up lizard the size of a small croc, rusting equipment, or a cattle skull above a door – this city has an amazing wealth of detail shots waiting for an eager photographer.

Darwin Mine

The old mine is on private property and the owners make it abundantly clear that your presence on the property is not wanted. However, you can take a few photographs from the road when you leave this town behind you, most likely never to return again.

Best Time of the Day and Best Season

Darwin is not the place to save for your sunset shots, but it makes for a good filler between locations. Avoid hot summer days.

Time required

You will find it difficult to spend more than 30-45 minutes photographing here.

Equipment

• Zoom Lens
• CP filter

Fees

No fee to see this place!

Close Locations

• Darwin Falls
• Aguereberry Point
• Father Crowley Viewpoint
• Saline Valley
• Harrisburg Ghost Town
• Skidoo Ghost Town
• Ballarat Ghost Town
• Cerro Gordo Ghost Town
• Randsburg Ghost Town
• Silver City Ghost Town
• Trona Pinnacles
• Alabama Hills
• Red Rock Canyon State Park

Useful Resources

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