A group of European-American pioneers got lost here in the winter of 1849–1850, while looking for a shortcut to the gold fields of California, giving Death Valley its grim name. Although only one of the group members died here, they all assumed that the valley would be their grave. Death Valley is home to the Timbisha tribe of Native Americans, formerly known as the Panamint Shoshone, who have inhabited the valley for at least the past millennium.
A group of European-American pioneers got lost here in the winter of 1849–1850 while looking for a shortcut to the gold fields of California giving Death Valley its grim name Although only one of the group members died here they all assumed that the valley would be their grave Death Valley is home to the Timbisha tribe of Native Americans formerly known as the Panamint Shoshone who have inhabited the valley for at least the past millennium