I've a bit of the wanderlust running through me, and it's getting stronger with each day passing…read more 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 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rainbow_Basin.JPG). 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.

Beautiful place. Love the colors and formations. Geology is wonderful. Enjoyed the scenic drives as…read morethe valley walls get closer and closer as your car wanders through the basin. The road Is nicely graded that goes through a wash. Very epic, scenic panoramic views. Highly recommend spring, fall or winter times to visit as it can get hot!! We went in February, Not too far of a drive from Barstow or on the dirt road. We also hiked among the Mojave desert vegetation and enjoyed the Joshua trees. Think we got a glimpse of the lakebed with Goldstone. Great picture taking opportunities!

It was sunset on the trail... I had never been to Ridgecrest before…read more An important little place in the middle of a desert. As for this trail hike, we took a moderate one up the mountain to the peak to sit and take in the views on all sides. It really depends who you go with. The desert can be a lonely place. Especially as the day comes to a close, it is so quiet here, it could be just you and your thoughts. Sobering. We saw some rabbits and lizards. Be on the watch for coyotes and rattlesnakes. The steep trek down I thought, was harder than going up. Make sure you have really good hiking shoes. If you come here on a whim let's say, sandals or flip flops are not going to cut it. Bring plenty of water, very hot in summer and keep in mind that there are no bathrooms here. Please pick up all your trash. This was a beautiful, clean place. The parking area felt safe and fortunately for us, there were not a lot of people there on this given Sunday. I would go back in a heartbeat. The summit views were spectacular and I always welcome the exercise and time to reflect. It can also feel very romantic. I love the desert.

I just arrived in town and this was suggested to me at the Maturango Museum, as a quick place to go…read moreto become acquainted with some of the local plants. There were a couple of trail heads, the one behind the college having a parking lot close to the road. I walked a bit to see what was there and took some photos. I'm sure it would be more interesting the further out a person could go. It reminded me of bike rides in a state forest in Florida and I'm sure a quicker view would be more interesting but less productive for photography.

I live here in Bakersfield for almost two years the fishing sucks even way up here in the kern…read moreriver I fished all the way up from the bridge all the way down from the river no fish I used flies and everything else and nothing. but the scenery is beautiful and dangerous at the same time really rocky if you want to catch fish try the kings river and upper kings there's lots of life in that river and wild life everywhere all year round up there take the 99 hwy to the 180 hwy it's a drive but worth it

LOVED IT ! Awesome spot right on the Kern River on your way to johnsondale and the trail of 100…read moreGiants

If you're looking to camp and you don't want to drive too far from Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon…read moreState Park is a great option. They have several campgrounds which is first and first serve. There's also several hiking spots in the area, which are less than a mile. There's also a visitor center, which has a lot of information about the park and clean bathroom. Great spot for photos!

Beautiful state park offering a cute Visitor Center, plentiful hiking trails, and a campground…read more Entrance fee as of Feb. 2026 is $5.00, payable at the Visitor Center, and is required to park anywhere in the park. Known for its striking red cliffs, this park also offers great wildflower viewing. I hiked the Hagen Canyon Trail, which already had flowers blooming in what is technically still winter! Highly recommended.

A beautiful and historical place to see and walk. If you're luck you'll see obsidian, but cannot…read moretake out. Leave as is. Highly recommended.

Super cool volcanic rock formations. You can still find lava. This is an ancient area and weather…read morehas changed its face continuously. It's BLM protected land so don't take any fossils you find. I recommend going when it's sunny, and not too windy as it really whips through this valley. If you plan on trying to climb then have someone with you. Wear the right shoes, hand grips and what not. You can't legally climb so maybe you aren't a dumb dumb and you don't so you don't fall down and go boom boom. Stay safe. Enjoy, respect the nature by taking whatever you brought in back out again. Don't ruin it with graffiti or trash. Stay beautiful. Desert Safety PSA: And for the love of God stay away from the desert if you don't know where you're at. There are old mine shafts out there from digging. Some covered - a lot not. They are deep. People have died falling not paying attention because who expects a friggin narrow but super deep hole to be there all random like? I'm talking miles and miles from streets and cities you may see one. DONT GET CLOSE TO LOOK! You can fall by slipping on the now uneven earth around it. You fall down. Your head goes boom. And then you don't come out alive. So stay out and stay on the trails.

I can't believe I've lived in California my entire life and never visited the Sequoias until now…read more It was such an amazing experience. The weather was perfect, and the trails were incredible. This place is absolutely stunning. I hope to come back someday. 1/11/25

I decided to go see the Trailer of 100 Giants. It had signs. There was a $12.00 fee. They had an…read morearea where you can drop in the envelope. There are signs with descriptions in regards to the trees. Part of the trail was closed. Overall, it was great to see the sequoias. There also is a gift shop nearby with souvenirs and some snacks.

Just a few comments on the local Mojave area around Edwards, not on this specifically posted…read more(business)location. Although the posted commentary of the first reviewer certainly sounds typical, I'd somewhat question the comment about hot nights in the Mojave. My personal experience has been that typically, about 4 PM every day, a strong wind comes up across the Mojave and temps usually can drop over 50 degrees from day to night. North of Edwards, in the eastern reaches of California City, there used to be (not sure if still there) a long dirt road-trail across the desert, that one might drive, knowing that you were traversing the old and famous 20 mule-team Borax Trail, from Death Valley to the railhead at Mojave. (See: http://home.earthlink.net/~cyberkiwi/desertexploration/trborax.htm) East of Edwards, there is an area famous for Hot-Air Ballooning. South of Edwards, east of Lancaster, off a desert road, a hillside encropment, host an open mine entrance, with old tracks and an unsafe old wooden ladder, that descends into the almost vertical depths of the old mine, only to find the bottom-of-the-shaft filled with water. A friend once slowly descended into the water, to find a horizontal water-filled shaft with air-pockets under the roof. (Not recommended!) If you can access Edwards itself, South Edwards may yet have traces of the old Edwards Sled-Track, on which the Astronauts rode a rocket-sled across the desert, to experience G-forces. The track was moved to Holloman AB, New Mexico years ago. Along the south rim of Rogers Dry Lake Bed, are the old remaining buildings and roads of the original Edwards, nee Muroc Army Air Station, made famous in air-flight history, with famous names like Chuck Yeager, X-1 rocket ship and more. Just walking through this area, when the wind blows, one can almost feel the winds of history! And finally (here), there is the famous Edwards Rocket Base, on the ridge overlooking Rogers Dry Lake, somewhat south-east of Edwards. Here is a website (link) to another website with a quote that 'paints-a-magnificent-picture', of the time-and-place of Rocket Base in history, as told in the Foreword to an online Hollywood Documentary screenplay. Enjoy! http://www.fiwd.org/Reality.htm

The best spot to relax in to watch the snow packed peaks in winter or Super Bloom near April…read more It's only a 10-15 min drive from the main road, just east of Highway 395 for access road next to Brady's Market aka Mobil Gas Station. Right turn off 395 South, left over divided Highway from 395 North...look for the giant billboard. Accessible in my common Nissan Rogue and PT Cruiser during light rain, but I parked at pipeline crossroads due to softer sand on the dirt path to the peaks. Amazing View with some R&R time.

Very beautiful hike especially in the super bloom. Lots of flowers and the view is incredible…read more Camped one time with a group overnight and it is extremely windy, be careful.

Super fun hike went after the rainy season and it was incredibly beautiful wildflowers everywhere…read morenot too many people on the trail a few dogs a few bikers lots of rushing water down in the valley very beautiful

Nice trail. Be wary of the psycho dude that owns the large log cabin style home near the parking…read morearea.