Introduction and first trip

[DVexile]

In terms of Badwater, the mountains to the west tower above you, so sunset is earlier than you might think by an hour or so!

This is a really good point, and easy to over look!  Locations on or near the valley floor have two periods of "best light" that can be separated by more than an hour because of the mountains.  There is the last glancing direct sunlight (can be up to an hour before local sunset because the sun goes behind the mountains) and then there is twilight that is magical 15 to 30 minutes after actual local sunset.  In between is what I'd call "blah mountain shadow light" that is boring as heck.  You will see most folks pick a location for "sunset", which usually just means once the sun goes behind the Panamints, and once in shadow they pack it up and head to dinner thinking the show is over.  It isn't, about 60 to 90 minutes later you'll get deep twilight which personally I find far more magical that last direct sunlight.  For clarity, my suggestion for staying out at Badwater past sunset means past local sunset, not just sun behind the mountains. 

Because of the large gap between when the sun dips behind the mountains and when twilight occurs it is often possible to visit two spots for "sunset"!  Go to one sight to see the last rays of direct sun cast warmth and long shadows.  After the sun dips behind the mountains drive some other place (usually within 30 minutes) during the "blah light" and get there in time to experience twilight at the new location.

NOTE: By "local sunset" I mean the time a sunrise/sunset app/website would tell you sunset is at.  This is the time the sun drops below the zero degree horizon, not just behind obstructing mountains.