We had NO idea this was out there. We were driving to see Randsburg and saw signs for a camp site and figured we would check it out. Considering it is much closer than Zion or Valley of Fire if you are in the LA area with no state park fees, I would say it is definitely worth checking out. The green in the rock formations was really cool!
Lorrayne L.
Évaluation du lieu : 5 Oakland, CA
I’ve a bit of the wanderlust running through me, and it’s getting stronger with each day passing. To try and negate some of this growing restlessness, I thought perhaps reviewing one of my past adventures would help to calm the stormy seas inside of me before I go insane. I have a dirty past. Quite literally. I am one of very few chicks that dug dirt and rocks from a very tender age(mind the bad pun). And they continue to excite me even after a decade away from school. There’s hardly anything more exciting than hiking to gods know where for some geologic/paleontologic mindjob. Was that TMI? Oops, my bad. But, please, don’t go anywhere! Allow me to share one of my fondest geology trips with you. I loved my majour in college. What’s not to love about a study that allows you to spend more than half of your collegiate time outdoors, rain or shine? I was never much one for classroom settings. Don’t let the geeky exterior fool you. I’m the type to bring a laptop out into the wild unknown to play my video games. ^_– Whoever said you can’t have it all? All that’s missing is a wonderful companion to share it all with. My Spring Fieldtrip assignment was to map Rainbow Basin, outside of Barstow, California. I believe the area we had to map was about 3 square miles, up and down peaks and in and out of valleys. 9 glorious days did we spend out there. Rainbow Basin is a gorgeous stretch of land. If you haven’t been there yet, promise me you will. If only for a day. The best part is during sunset in the main valley. There’s a specific point in the valley where you crest a rise and just sit there, waiting for the magickal moment where the sun dips just low enough in the sky to light up the cliff face where there’s a huge syncline composed of various oxidized layers( ). These layers, composed of various different minerals, oxidized over time to produce different shades of colours — red, purple, yellow, green, blue… The beauty is when the sun lights up these different layers to give you the most amazing display of coloured rock ever. Hence, the name of the basin itself. I’m thinking of a road trip back there this summer to view this phenomenom once more; only this time, I’ll be bringing a camera to document my memories. Will you join me? Bring your sleeping bag, but forget the tent. We’ll snuggle under the summer stars together.
Patrick D.
Évaluation du lieu : 4 Los Angeles, CA
A nice geological scenic loop-drive. You don’t need 4-wheel drive when it is dry, but just watch out for rocks in the road. No services on site, but there is a BLM office in Barstow which might have more information on this place. There is also a campground nearby, too.
