Location: Ridgecrest, California
Distance: 1 Mile Out and Back Time: 1 Hour to Explore and Photograph
Difficulty: Easy
Season: All seasons but best in fall, winter and spring
Foot Traffic: Moderate
Date Visited: Saturday, July 30, 2016
Overview
The Trona Pinnacles are a magnificent spectacle of over 500 tufa spires (more or less, rock formations). They are located in the Searles Valley in a landscape that looks like something from another planet. The feeling of isolation at the Trona Pinnacles is immense and the otherworldly atmosphere is exceptional. The area is a little bit out of the way but is unquestionably worth the effort.
An ungraded dirt road will lead visitors directly out towards the Tufas and from here, one may explore as they see fit. Stargazing is phenomenal from the Pinnacles, while early morning and late evening make for a great time to photograph the tufa structures.
The summer temperatures can be unbearable here, so visiting at night is best if you are going to do so during this season. The Tufas here are very reminiscent of the ones at Mono Lake near Mammoth Lakes. However, this area feels much more isolated and unearthly, in my opinion
The Trona Pinnacles are administered by the Bureau of Land Management, so there are very few rules out here. However, in order to keep this area available to visitors in its current state, visitors are asked to be as respectful as possible. Free camping is allowed here, dogs are allowed off leash and overall, there is just a great sense of solitude out here. In order to maintain this and enhance everyone’s experience, I beg visitors to be as respectful and thoughtful as possible. Please leave this area how you found it and be considerate of others visiting.
Trail Description and My Story
Let me just start by saying that there really isn’t much of a trail here. It’s more or less, wander through the Pinnacles and explore as you please. The area is fun and easy to navigate and won’t take visitors too much time.
While I have never visited Trona Pinnacles during the day, I had an opportunity to visit during a new moon and experience the full effect of the milky way above. Trona Pinnacles is a phenomenal spot for stargazing and there is very little ambient light in this isolated area. In all, we spent about 2 hours photographing the Pinnacles, while stargazing and enjoying the area in the calm of the night.
My wife, our family friend and I had planned to start a multi week trip on this day, with the following day marking our first hike of the trip, a day hike up the beautiful North Fork of Big Pine Creek to Second Lake. While excited for the next day, I was able to talk everyone else into spending a few hours at Trona Pinnacles before making the late night drive towards the tiny town of Big Pine. I was so thrilled that everyone agreed.
I purposely planned the start of our trip to coincide with the new moon. The sky was completely dark and after about ten minutes of sitting outside, we became entranced by the thrilling spectacle of the milky way above us. A few other photographers were photographing as well, but the scene was very quiet and peaceful. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick start our trip. While the drive down to the Pinnacles is a little bit out of the way, I am excited to return and view it during the daytime. However, for those that have the opportunity, viewing the stars on a clear, dark night here is absolutely unforgettable.
Getting to Trona Pinnacles
Trona Pinnacles, Ridgecrest, California
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is this a fee area?
- No, there are no fees to park or visit the Trona Pinnacles.
Are dogs allowed?
- Yes, dogs are allowed at the Trona Pinnacles. You may have your dog off leash here as well, if you so desire. As always, be respectful of others and please clean up and dispose of any animal waste.
Are there restrooms at the Trona Pinnacles?
- Yes, there is a restroom along the main dirt road.
Is camping allowed?
- Yes, free camping is allowed here. Trona Pinnacles is administered by the BLM, so visitors may camp anywhere near the Trona Pinnacles. Be respectful and pack out everything that you pack in. Please leave the area as you found it and enable those in the future to enjoy this area in the same wild manner as it exists currently.
Is 4 wheel drive or high clearance needed to drive here?
- Not typically, but possibly after a heavy rain. For the most part any passenger car should be able to manage the ungraded road.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers, and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
