Trails and rocks observed on a playa in Death Valley National Monument, California

Widespread over the surface of a playa located in Inyo County, California are numerous trails each customarily terminating at a rock and/or a mound of dried sediment. These trails, furrow-like in appearance and varying greatly in width and length and in compass direction, give evidence of having been caused by their terminal material having slid over the playa's surface. An explanation proposed by previous writers is that strong gusty winds such as are common in the area are responsible, having caused the rocks and mud curls to move about at a time when the plays was muddy following heavy precipitation.