Rabbitbrush at Dusk near Bodie State Historical Park, California

Photo ID# RW003

License photo for publication

East of the Sierra Nevada mountains lies the Great Basin Desert, a vast stretch of land from California to Utah that was once part of a large inland sea. The sea eventually dried up due to increasing temperatures and the rising of the Sierras which empties clouds of precipitation. Hardy plants such as rabbitbrush and desert sage have adapted to this harsh arid environment.