Scenic 395 - The Official Guide 2023

2023 Scenic 395 13 RV PARK CONCERTS & EVENTS WEDDINGS ARENA 520 South Richmond Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Phone - 760.375.8000 Fax - 760.375.8134 www.desertempirefair.com Ridgecrest Servicing All Types of RVs/Trailers - •Class A, B & C Motorhomes •Fifth Wheels •Travel Trailers •Popup Trailers •Horse Trailers •Car Trailers Specializing In - •Refrigerators •Air Conditioners •Furnaces •Water Heaters •Roo ng •Slideouts •Leveling Systems •And Much More 1034 WWard Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Ph: 760-446-5151 lindustriesrv@outlook.com www.lindustriesrv.com A short drive to the east of Ridgecrest will transport you to what appears to be a differ- ent world when you visit the Trona Pinnacles. The pinnacles are a unique geological feature in the Cal- ifornia Desert Conservation Area, about 20 miles east of Ridgecrest. The unusual land- scape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, rising from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake basin. The pinnacles vary in size and shape from short and squat to tall and thin, and are composed primarily of calcium carbon- ate (tufa). The Trona Pin- nacles have been featured in many commercials, films, and still-photo shoots. The Trona Pinnacles were designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Depart- ment of the Interior in 1968 to preserve one of North Ameri- ca’s most outstanding exam- ples of tufa tower formation. The tufa (or calcium carbon- ate spires) are spread out over a 14 square mile area across the Searles Lake basin. These features range in size from small-coral like boulders to several that top out at over 140 feet tall. The pinnacles were formed between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago when Searles Lake formed a link in a chain of interconnected lakes flow- ing from the Owens Valley to Death Valley. At one point during the Pleistocene, the area was under 640 feet of wa- ter. Camping is allowed at the Trona Pinnacles, but the Bu- reau of Land Management has issued these reminders: • Dispersed camping is al- lowed on for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 con- secutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific lo- cation on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupa- tion during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupa- tion, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occu- pation. • There is no potable water or developed facilities oth- er than a single vault toilet on site. • Pack out all trash. There are no trash services. In the desert environment, even nat- ural items like orange peels take years to decompose. • Travel on existing roads and trails. Vegetation in this climate can take decades to re- cover when crushed by off road driving or parking. • Camp in campgrounds if available. Using campgrounds reduces the number of vehi- cles, so that the great views are not blocked. •Have a great time. TheTro- na Pinnacles are a great place to explore natural wonders and experience your public lands. Pinnacles: short drive to another world The Trona Pinnacles are a very otherworldly place; so much so that movies including Star Trek and Planet of the Apes were filmed here to represent alien planets. It’s hard to believe this stark area was covered by a large lake during the much wetter pleistocene period more than 10,000 years ago. The pinnacles are located about 20 miles from Ridgecrest with the last 5 miles along a bumpy unpaved road. Photo by Jesse Pluim, Bureau of Land Management 14 2021-2022 Scenic 395 RV PARK CONCERTS & EVENTS WEDDINGS ARENA 520 South Richmond Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Phone - 760.375.8000 Fax - 760.375.8134 www.desertempirefair.com Ridgecrest A short drive to the east of Ridgecrest will transport you to what appears to be a different world when you visit the Trona Pinnacles. The pin acles are a unique geological fea- ture in the California Desert Conservation Area, about 20 miles east of Ridgecrest. The unusual landscape consists of more than 500 tufa spires, some as high as 140 feet, ris- ing from the bed of the Searles Dry Lake basin. The pinnacles vary in size and shape from short and squat to tall and thin, and are composed primarily of calcium c bon- ate (tufa). The Trona Pinnacles have been featured in many commercials, films, and still-photo shoots. The Trona Pinnacles were designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. De- partment of the Interior in 1968 to preserve one of North America’s mos outstanding examples of tufa tower formation. The tufa (or calcium carbonate spires) are spread out over a 14 square mile area across the Searles Lake basin. These features range in size from small-coral l ke boulders to s v- eral that top out at over 140 feet tall. The pinnacles were formed between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago when Searles Lake formed a link in a chain of intercon- nected lakes flowing from the Owens Valley to Death Valley. At one point during the Pl istocene, the ar a was un r 640 feet of water. Camping is allow d at th Trona Pinna- cl s, but th Bureau of Land Management has issued these reminders: • Dispersed camping is allowed on for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a sp cific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either th ough a num- ber of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during t e 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupa- tion, the camper must m ve outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. • There is no potable water or developed facilities oth er than a single vault toilet on site. • Pack out all trash. There are no trash services. In t he desert environment, even natural item s like orange peels take years to decompose. • Travel o n existing roads and trails. Vege- tation in this climate can take decad s to re- cover when crushed by off road driving or parking. • Camp in campgrounds if available. Us- ing campgro unds reduces the number of ve- hicles, so tha t the great views are not blocke . • Have a g reat time. The Trona Pinnacles are a great p lace to explore natural wonders and experie nce your public lands. Trona Pinnacles: a short drive to another world PHOTO BY JESSE PLUIM, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT The Trona Pinnacles re a very oth rworldly place; so much so that movies including Star Trek and Planet of the Apes were filmed here to represent alien planets. It’s hard to believe this stark area was covered by a large lake during the much wetter pleistocene period more than 10,000 years ago. The pinnacles are located about 20 miles from Ridgecrest with the last 5 miles along a bumpy unpaved road.