Part one of five parts - Trona Pinnacles Trail, Slate Range Trail, Mengel Pass Trail, Harry Wade Escape Route and the Ibex Dunes Trail.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
(only rough estimate of the trails taken)
The Trona Pinnacles trail starts off of the Trona road and runs 25 fairly easy miles. The toughest part was finding the way though the foothills of the Summit Range where there are hundreds of zig-zagging and crossing mining and motorcycle trails through the Spangle Hills open use area. The trail starts with two rather tough challenges.
The cattle guard.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
And then an underpass that was a bit narrow.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
There was an area that had so many trails we couldn't tell where one ended and the next began so we just sort of head in that yonder direction following what we wanted. There were plenty of small 50-75 foot tall hills to climb up and down so we had a bit of fun before finding the real trail again.
The Trona Pinnacles are large calcium carbonate towers deposited in ancient lakes as mineral rich mountain snow run offs settled into depressions in the bottom of the lake. The area is a designated National Natural Landmark and has been the background for many of a movie including: Star Trek IV: The Final Frontier, Dinosaur, the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, and one of my favorites: Pitch Black.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
The area was used by wagon trails from miners harvesting the rich mineral deposits. It's claimed that the area is the richest mineral deposit in the world with 50% of the known minerals found there. The area has been mined since the 1860s and the efforts continue today.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
The trail coming from the south and west doesn't reveal the Pinnacles until half-way point in the trail where you crest a high ridge that overlooks the area ... and the view is stunning. The only restrictions are that you stay on the marked trails and primitive camping is open anywhere.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
A Verizon commercial in the making ... can you hear me now? This was the only place along the four trails with cell service by the way.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
We set up camp along the eastern part of the Pinnacles and had a nice meal of carne assada soft tacos, built a small fire in an existing fire pit, and enjoyed the night. There wasn't anyone in the entire valley but us and the Searles Mine workers some ten miles to the north of us. The weather was perfectly still - creepy still and made for some nice photos.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
Come morning we were up early to hit the trail to the north. We enjoyed a nice hot shower after breakfast. The morning light brought some interesting shadows.
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
Packed up and ready to go. Day one was an easy day with some very rewarding views to prepare
Trona Pinnacles Trail Nov 2009
We hit the pavement and drove about ten miles to the Slate Range trail. We filled up at Searles Valley topping off the gas tank and water supplies.
