18/04: Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark
Category: General
Posted by: The Agnew Family
The Rainbow Basin National Natural Landmark is 15 km outside of Bartsow. Many science-fiction movies set on Mars have been filmed at this landmark. Huge slabs of red, orange, white and green stone tilt at crazy angles. There is an approximately 6.5 km loop road for 4 wheel, high clearance vehicles thru part of the landmark. We understood the warnings after we drove our 4 wheel drive RAV around the loop. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't pick up the colours of the rocks as well as our eyes did.
Caught in the act of taking wildflower pictures.
Not sure what this plant is but it looks like it could be from Mars.
Think the yellow flower is Prince's Plume and the red flower is Paintbrush.
Beavertail
Prickly Pear
After the drive we decided to go for a hike ---- there were a couple of geocaches Ed wanted to get. Once that little job was out of the way he hiked up a small wash and hiked back thru Owl Canyon.
A gorgeous Joshua Tree and a not so gorgeous Joshua Tree.
Once we were back in Barstow we stopped at the Casa Del Desierto Harvey House. This distinctive two-storey structure was one of the many hotels and restaurant depots opened by the Fred Harvey Co. in the early 20th century.
Old railway cars, part of the railway museum are on a side rail near the hotel.
Several gardens around the hotel were planted with shrubs that were in bloom. I have no idea what the shrub is but the flowers are unique.
Caught in the act of taking wildflower pictures.
Not sure what this plant is but it looks like it could be from Mars.
Think the yellow flower is Prince's Plume and the red flower is Paintbrush.
Beavertail
Prickly Pear
After the drive we decided to go for a hike ---- there were a couple of geocaches Ed wanted to get. Once that little job was out of the way he hiked up a small wash and hiked back thru Owl Canyon.
A gorgeous Joshua Tree and a not so gorgeous Joshua Tree.
Once we were back in Barstow we stopped at the Casa Del Desierto Harvey House. This distinctive two-storey structure was one of the many hotels and restaurant depots opened by the Fred Harvey Co. in the early 20th century.
Old railway cars, part of the railway museum are on a side rail near the hotel.
Several gardens around the hotel were planted with shrubs that were in bloom. I have no idea what the shrub is but the flowers are unique.