SNAP*Shot: Mushroom Rock

Posted on by Joy

Death Valley has at least one hidden treasure in plain sight—Mushroom Rock. Along Badwater Road heading to Badwater Basin there are so many wonders to see, especially the gorgeous mountain colors and formations. However, it is hard to find the 7-foot tall Mushroom Rock along Badwater Road, and for good reason.

This is a 1938 picture of Mushroom Rock, originally called Devil’s Throne. We will get to its geology momentarily–and no “oh nos” in the audience please. 😉

Pomona Public Library – The Frasher Foto Postcard Collection
Thanks to Online Archive of California

Today the rock’s strange shape is not only thanks to million of years of windblown sand and salt, but also two-legged creatures’ abuse. The formation was heavily damaged by visitors climbing on it, carving and defacing it, breaking off small chunks as souvenirs, and groups posing on it for pictures. Well, the Park Service finally had enough. The exact date is hard to find, but the large parking area along the road was done away with, there are no signs for Mushroom Rock, and it no longer appears on any park maps or in any brochures. Although only about 150 feet off Badwater Road, it is tough to see as driving along. It sure blends into the background! Thanks to the discerning eye of Susan.

So its geology–stay with me. I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but a good place to start is easy. There are three types of rock. Yup, only three:

Igneous–formed from melted rock deep inside the Earth.
Sedimentary–formed from layers of sand, silt, dead plants, and animal skeletons.
Metamorphic–formed from other rocks that are changed by heat and pressure underground.

Thanks to American Museum of Natural History–Ology Home. Take a look! Never too proud to explore simple sites designed for kids. Need simple as a jumping-off place.

Still with me?

Mushroom Rock is an Igneous rock, a type of basalt. Now that wasn’t so painful, was it? 😂

Until next time my friend . . .

Ride~About: Badwater Basin–Oh, So Low!

Posted on by Joy

Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, is a 45-minute drive from our lodging in Death Valley. The scenery along the way can take your breath away. It is very overcast with the possibility of rain but that won’t slow us down. Two miles from our lodging at Stovepipe Wells Village, with the sun peaking through between the mountain tops and the clouds, we see the Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes. This is only the beginning, so come on along!

Let’s Go!

Ride~About: 20 Mule Team Canyon in Death Valley

Posted on by Joy
Uh-oh. Driving down CA-127 to Death Valley’s southern entrance, we may run into some weather! Well, onward to 20 Mule Team Canyon, a 2.8 mile one-way dirt road along CA-190 into Death Valley. We can’t let a little rain stop the adventures. Well, we do have to be careful of flash flooding. Let’s go and hope for good weather
Here we go . . .

Kolob Canyons, Zion’s Northwest Corner

Posted on by Joy
Thanks to NPS/Daren Reehl for this picture

We visited Kolob Canyons, the far northwest corner of Zion National Park, in April 2017. We had warm temperatures, lots of flowers, lovely bright green Gambel oaks and evergreens. Now, six years later, it is a very different early spring due to very different weather issues. Strong storms raging from the Pacific Ocean across California and hitting the Western states as well as moving across the country. Feet of snow where they usually get none, 30 and 40 degree temps when it should be in the 60s/low 70s, cloudy after cloudy day. Wow! It could be some time before the warm spring sunshine we love prevails. Regardless, snow on enormous red rocks is worth another visit. We are high on the western edge of the Colorado Plateau and taking a 5-mile drive to views that will take your breath away!

Come on along!