Red Rock Canyon
A destination made popular by countless western cowboys and movie Indians, as well as the demise of Thelma and Louise, Red Rock Canyon State Park, in Southern California, is a popular destination for desert rats who like to experience raw desolate wilderness. Camping, off-roading, and rock climbing are popular here. Red rock cliffs are carved by wind into the hills and provide an amazing sight at sunset. From Los Angeles access to the canyon is relatively easier and much closer then Death Valley.
Instructions
1. Getting there: Located just over one hundred miles north of Los Angeles, the canyon is at the southern reaches of Owens Valley. From LAX, take Interstate 405 north. After joining Interstate 5, exit 161B toward Palmdale and Lancaster. State Highway 14 passes through these two cities and continues through Mojave. Red Rock Canyon is approximately 25 miles north of Mojave.
2. When to go: It is highly discouraged to visit the park in the heat of summer. Many locals have acclimated themselves to the climate, but note that this is the Mojave Desert and Death Valley is just over the ridge. The evenings and nights get deathly cold in the winter, leaving autumn and spring as the best choices for weather. During spring the desert blooms. Check with the visitor center for latest park information and weather/temperature updates.
3. Amenities: The Park offers picnicking and camping, nature trails and hiking trails. California City and Mojave are nearby with full dining and lodging accommodations, as well as many grocery options. Thirty miles north of the park is the Indian Wells Brewing Company (see Resources). Beware of the Lobotomy Bock brew.
4. Precautions: Read up on required drinking water preparedness. Many visitors bring a hydration pack that holds as much as two liters of water and is carried like a backpack. During any season but winter, plan to hike in the cool of the mornings. Know when sunrise is and be on the trail. Determine the forecast by noon and access the hiking distance.
5. Assistance: Be well versed on the park guidelines, rules, and regulations (see Resources). The park rangers are vital life support.
Tags: Rock Canyon, miles north, Death Valley, just over
