BLM Winter Bucket List #7: Trona Pinnacles, California, for Out of This World Rock Formations

The Trona Pinnacles, just outside of Ridgecrest, are some of the most unique geological features in the California Desert Conservation Area. The unusual landscape 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 spongy calcium carbonate (tufa). They were formed underwater from 10,000–100,000 years ago when Searles Lake was one of a chain of interconnected Pleistocene lakes stretching from Mono Lake to Death Valley.

The Trona Pinnacles have been featured in many commercials and films, such as Star Trek and Planet of the Apes. A 0.5-mile hiking trail leads into the heart of the pinnacles for a close-up view of the spires and the surrounding desert.

Because summer temperatures often exceed 115 degrees, the best times to visit are late fall, winter, and early spring. Early morning, early evening, and nights with a full moon provide the most dramatic views.

Plan your visit: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ridgecrest/trona.html