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Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:44 am
by rufrdr
The Pinnacles are a very courious geological formation located near Trona CA on BLM land. Because of the unique and weird rock formations the area has been the location of many science fiction movies and TV shows including the 2001 Planet of the Apes. A couple and I took a drive out there today. The weather was sunny in the high 80s and perfectly calm. The silence was stunning. Not a sound but us to be heard. Visitors can walk and drive throughout the area although the typical passenger sedan will be able to get to the main area and park only. Any other driving around will have to be done in a high clearance vehicle. The area is best visited between October and May, the summer can be pretty darn hot in this part of the world!

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ridgecrest/trona.html

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To give a scale to this picture, those are two people in the foreground near the pit toilet building.

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Rufrdr himself

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We thought this one looked like an eagle

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Rufrdr's ride (the Jeep of course)

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 5:02 am
by 20series
now that is some awsome scenery :goodjob: :cheers:

Alan :good:

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:51 am
by johngarnett
You've done it again - stunning! :goodjob:

Keep them coming please.

JohnG :cornwall:

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:52 am
by meles meles
*Grabs map, compass and Land Rover keys*

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:17 am
by Watcher
Rufdr,

That looks like the sort of place that would have become a sacred place for the native Americans? Is that the case? Almost looks like Stonehenge.

What's 'BLM land'?

W

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:09 pm
by rufrdr
Native Americans apparently frequented the area because there is a sign cautioning against disturbing any relics found. BLM land is federal land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management which manages all federal land not controlled by another agency. Most of the land in the west is owned by the government and much of if is BLM. BLM is good because they have a pretty open attitude to the land and permit off roading, exploring, shooting, hunting, camping, grazing, mining, etc. They are under a lot of pressure from the environmental groups to pretty much lock everyone but the greenies out but so far have done a good job resisting them. It has to be a thankless job.

Watcher wrote:Rufdr,

That looks like the sort of place that would have become a sacred place for the native Americans? Is that the case? Almost looks like Stonehenge.

What's 'BLM land'?

W

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:26 pm
by Chuck
Awesome photos and scenery for sure....how hot was it?
Chuck

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:51 pm
by Burner
Great Photos!.
I was out there when I was very young on a family trip. I want to return one day.

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:58 pm
by ovenpaa
johngarnett wrote:You've done it again - stunning! :goodjob:

Keep them coming please.
Just what I was thinking. If it was me 20 years ago I would have been up every single pinnacle in sight.

Re: Desert Trip to the Pinnacles

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 7:01 pm
by rufrdr
Chuck wrote:Awesome photos and scenery for sure....how hot was it?
Chuck
Chuck,

It was a fantastic day for the desrt: no wind, sunny, high 80s. it couldn't have been better!