Death Valley sees its most spectacular superbloom in a decade

A superbloom in Death Valley National Park this year is the most spectacular in a decade. It's a result of extra rain in the fall and early winter.

Death Valley has come alive.

A superbloom of wildflowers has painted the normally barren landscape of Death Valley National Park — one of the most extreme places on the planet and the hottest and driest spot in North America — in pretty pink, purple and yellow hues.

“This area that’s known basically for hot weather, sand and dirt has just become this amazing landscape of colors,” said David Blacker, executive director of the nonprofit Death Valley Natural History Association. “The smell is just amazing.”

This year’s superbloom is the most spectacular that Death Valley has seen in a decade, according to the National Park Service. It’s a result of rainier-than-normal conditions throughout the region last fall and early winter.

Abby Wines, acting deputy superintendent at Death Valley National Park, said that on average, Death Valley typically receives only about 2 inches of rainfall each year.