High Desert Life

Day Tripping in Cali

Posted by: calpoppy, 4:04 PM GMT en Enero 17, 2012

Since the weather has been more fall like then winter we decided to start enjoying it! Last week we went out to Saddleback Butte which we see out our windows every day. Less then exciting so no more mention of that here. Yesterday we took off to Red Rock Canyon which is a breathtaking desert scene!

Red Rock canyon is north of the town of Mojave. It is on the edge of the El Paso Mountain range. This was a trade route used for thousands of years by Native Americans. This was also the home of the Kawaiisu indians. Gold mining came to the area in the 1860's into the 1890's.

Movies have been made here including parts of Jurassic Park. Also the famous 20 mule teams would come through this area.

The rock formations are made up of layers of red and white sediment and pink and black volcanic rock. These were deposited in an ancient lake and then uplifted by faulting.

There is a huge off road vehicle park located on both sides of the freeway. Thankfully far away from the camping and hiking parts of the park.

The hiking was easy and beautiful, with a great desert vista around every turn! Cool and breezy a great day to be out in the desert!