Tag: California Desert

#6 – Trona Pinnacles: A Unique Geological Wonderland

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The Trona Pinnacles, located in the California Desert National Conservation Area near the town of Trona, offer a striking landscape of unusual tufa formations rising dramatically from the desert floor. Here’s an expanded look at what makes the Trona Pinnacles a popular destination:

Geological Significance

  • Formation: The Trona Pinnacles are composed of tufa, a type of limestone that forms in alkaline lake waters. These formations were created 10,000 and 100,000 years ago when the area was submerged under the prehistoric Searles Lake.
  • Structure: The site features over 500 pinnacles, ranging from small spires to large towers that reach up to 140 feet. These formations vary in shape and size, creating a surreal and otherworldly landscape.

Attractions and Activities

  1. Exploring the Pinnacles:
    • Self-Guided Tours: Visitors can explore the pinnacles at their own pace, walking among the formations and marveling at their unique shapes and textures. The area is open for hiking and offers numerous trails and pathways.
    • Interpretive Signs: Informational signs throughout the site provide insights into the geological history of the pinnacles, explaining how they were formed and their significance.
  2. Photography:
    • Landscape Photography: The Trona Pinnacles are a favorite subject for photographers due to their striking appearance and the dramatic contrasts between the tufa towers and the surrounding desert. The light at sunrise and sunset casts a magical glow on the formations, enhancing their visual appeal.
    • Astrophotography: The remote location and dark skies make the Trona Pinnacles an excellent spot for stargazing and astrophotography. The formations provide unique foregrounds for night sky photography, including stunning views of the Milky Way.
  3. Off-Roading and Vehicle Access:
    • Off-Road Trails: The area around the Trona Pinnacles is accessible by dirt roads suitable for high-clearance and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Off-road enthusiasts can enjoy exploring the rugged terrain and discovering hidden viewpoints.
    • Scenic Drives: For those who prefer a more leisurely visit, scenic drives through the area offer beautiful views of the pinnacles and the surrounding desert landscape.
  4. Camping:
    • Primitive Camping: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) allows primitive camping near the Trona Pinnacles. Campers can set up their tents or park their RVs in designated areas, providing a unique opportunity to experience the pinnacles up close, especially during sunrise and sunset.
    • Stargazing: Camping overnight offers a chance to enjoy the clear desert skies, which are perfect for stargazing and experiencing the tranquility of the desert.
  5. Filming and Events:
    • Film Location: The Trona Pinnacles have been used as a backdrop for numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials due to their otherworldly appearance. Productions like “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier” and “Planet of the Apes” have featured scenes shot at the pinnacles.
    • Special Events: Occasionally, the area hosts special events such as photography workshops, stargazing parties, and off-road vehicle rallies, providing unique opportunities for visitors to engage with the site.

Visitor Information

  • Location and Access: The Trona Pinnacles are about 20 miles east of Ridgecrest, California. The access road to the pinnacles is a graded dirt road off Highway 178, which can be rough in places but is generally passable for most vehicles.
  • Facilities: The Trona Pinnacles do not have developed facilities. Visitors should come prepared with their water, food, and supplies. Portable toilets are sometimes available, but it’s best to be self-sufficient.

Best Times to Visit

  • Spring and Fall: These seasons offer mild temperatures, making it the best time for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. Springtime may also bring wildflower blooms, adding color to the landscape.
  • Winter: Winter can be a good time to visit if you prefer cooler weather, but be prepared for cold nights. The clear winter skies are excellent for stargazing.

Conservation and Preservation

  • Protected Area: The Trona Pinnacles are managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the California Desert National Conservation Area. Efforts are made to preserve the site’s unique geological features and natural beauty.
  • Responsible Tourism: Visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles, respecting the delicate desert environment and minimizing their impact on the land and formations.

Nearby Attractions

  • Searles Valley Minerals: The nearby town of Trona is known for its mineral processing facilities. The Searles Valley Minerals plant conducts an annual Gem-O-Rama event, where visitors can collect various minerals and crystals from the Searles Lake deposits.
  • Death Valley National Park: Located to the east, Death Valley National Park offers additional opportunities for exploring diverse desert landscapes, unique geological features, and historic sites.

Educational and Interpretive Programs

  • Guided Tours and Talks: Occasionally, the BLM or local organizations may offer guided tours and interpretive talks about the geology and natural history of the Trona Pinnacles, providing deeper insights into the site’s formation and significance.

The Trona Pinnacles offer a unique and memorable experience for visitors interested in geology, photography, outdoor adventure, and the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert. Whether exploring the pinnacles on foot, capturing their striking forms with a camera, or simply soaking in the serene desert atmosphere, the Trona Pinnacles provide an extraordinary destination for all who visit.

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Barstow & the National Old Trails Road

Barstow, California, has a significant historical connection to the National Old Trails Road, which was key in developing the American road transportation system. The National Old Trails Road, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, was established in the early 20th century and stretched from Baltimore, Maryland, to California, ending in Los Angeles. This road was one of the earliest transcontinental highways and was instrumental in promoting automotive travel and the development of roadside infrastructure across the United States.

Barstow’s Role
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Barstow emerged as an essential stop along the National Old Trails Road due to its strategic location at the junction of several key routes. It lies at the crossroads of the Mojave River Valley, where the Salt Lake Trail, the Mojave Road, the Old Spanish Trail, and later, the railroad routes converge. This made Barstow a crucial hub for transportation and logistics, connecting the eastern parts of the country with the West Coast.

Development and Impact
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With the rise of the automobile, Barstow became a popular stopover for travelers traveling across the country. The town provided essential services such as lodging, fuel, and vehicle repairs, which helped support its local economy. The presence of the National Old Trails Road also encouraged the development of other infrastructure, including the famed Route 66, which was aligned with parts of the Old Trails Road.

Route 66 and Beyond
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In 1926, with the establishment of the U.S. Highway System, much of the National Old Trails Road was incorporated into U.S. Route 66. Barstow continued to thrive as a key stop along Route 66, attracting tourists and travelers with its diners, motels, and other attractions tailored to the road-tripping public.

Today, Barstow celebrates its rich transportation history through museums and cultural sites that highlight its role in the era of cross-country travel. The town serves as a gateway to regional attractions and continues to honor the legacy of the National Old Trails Road and Route 66.

“Seldom Seen Slim”

“Seldom Seen Slim” was a nickname for a man named Charles Ferge, who lived in the Panamint Valley of California. He was known for his reclusive lifestyle and infrequent appearances in town, leading to the nickname “Seldom Seen Slim.” He was a prospector and a colorful character in the region’s history. The nickname reflects his tendency to avoid social interactions and to be rarely seen by others.

He claimed he wasn’t lonely because he was half coyote and half burro!

AKA “Seldom Seen Slim”

“Me lonely? Hell no! I’m half coyote and half wild burro.”

Seldom Seen Slim said these words many times, and they are the epitaph on his grave at Ballarat Cemetery in Ballarat, California.

Seldom Seen Slim, named Charles Ferge by his parents, was born in Illinois in 1881, according to wellfare records. Slim always said, “I got no people, I was born in an orphanage.

Slim came to Ballarat sometime between 1913 and 1917, not long after the town was abandoned by the miners who had been seeking their fortunes in the silver mines of the Panamint Mountains. He became the last resident of Ballarat, now a ghost town. Slim had a reputation as a recluse with a cantankerous side. He didn’t believe in showers or baths because “bathing was a waste of water”. Although, he did make into town for his annual haircut and bath whether he felt he needed it or not!

Slim was a visitor to Trona when the time came to stock up on supplies of tobacco for his corn cob pipe and to replenish his bottle of hooch. His reputation was so widespread that Walter Knott had statues of “Seldom Seen Slim” made and placed in his Knotts Berry Farm and Ghost Town in Buena Park, CA.

Slim was found ailing in his rundown trailer in Ballarat’s ruins and was taken 70 miles to Trona, where he survived only five days. His funeral was in Boot Hill in 1968 and was broadcast on television around the country before cable, as he was the last of a breed of prospectors who spent their lives living on the Mojave Desert in and around Death Valley. He was the first to be buried in the Ballarat cemetery in half a decade. After Slim’s death in 1968, at the age of 80, the United State Department of the Interior approved the naming of a peak in the Panamint Mountains in honor of Charles Ferge. The peak is now named “Slim’s Peak”.

Ref = findagrave

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/12763141/charles-ferge