Death Valley National Park may be one of the lowest, driest, and hottest places on earth, but some visitors to the infamous stretch of countryside were surprised to find something else this winter — snow.

While it is not uncommon for winter visitors to see extreme contrasts across three million acres of wilderness — water-fluted canyons, multicolored rock layers, and snow-capped mountains — it is a rare sight to capture snow in one of the world's most desolate places. But every now and again, including the first few days of January, Death Valley almost catches some ground cover.

"Although snow did not fall on the valley floor, Death Valley was surrounded by snow-covered mountains on January 3," wrote Cheryl Chipman with NPS Digest. "The snow level was at 2,000 feet in the hottest, driest, and lowest region in the Western Hemisphere."

The closest community, Pahrump (60 miles from Death Valley), had four to six inches of snow. Some areas of Las Vegas had as much as three inches. In Las Vegas, most of the morning snowfall had melted away by noon, but cooler than usual temperatures in the region could potentially dust Death Valley again, with lows in the 30s and highs close to the 60s.

Additional Snow Or Rain Could Make For An Exceptional Desert Bloom In Spring.

"Even if visitors do not have a chance to see the snow, the cooler temperatures make winter and spring one of the best times to visit," said James Hoke, president of TourGuy.com, LLC. "We're also hoping some additional rain or snowfall this year will mean everyone taking a Death Valley tour will see the desert in a deeper bloom in the months ahead. Desert wildflowers are as striking as snow-capped mountains where you least expect them."

Last November, the Furnace Creek Visitor Center temporarily closed for extensive remodeling. There is a temporary visitor center located near the original, but Hoke suggests tour operators are best suited to maximize the abundance of sites a visitor can see during the day.

When the remodeling is complete (about 18 months), it will feature new exhibits, museum collections, and information services. However, even with the visitor center being operated at a temporary location, the majority of sites at Death Valley are outside, next to nature, including places like Rhyolite, Nevada.

Ground tours to Death Valley from any Las Vegas hotel begin at 7 a.m. and return visitors by approximately 5:30 p.m. The tour includes lunch, usually consisting of ham, turkey or veggie wraps, snacks, and fruit. TourGuy.com typically offers the tour for $20 off.