Rainbow Basin & Owl Canyon
January 17-18, 2006
Summary: Camped out at Owl Canyon with Harry and Christa near Rainbow Basin. Although I had driven through the Barstow area many times before, I never even knew this place existed. Despite the small size of Rainbow Basin & Owl Canyon and their close proximity to Barstow, this place is still pretty cool and definitely worth a visit. Be forewarned however, that if you camp here in the winter, pack a warm sleeping bag. Low temperatures at the time we visited were in the 20s. The positive side is that daytime temperatures were quite comfortable and there were no crowds to contend with. Raibow Basin offers a glimpse into the interesting Geology of the area while Owl Canyon makes for a great hike through colorful rock formations.
Strata formations just north of Barstow at Rainbow Basin.
Sepia shot of Rainbow Basin from the top of one of the hills.
This photo shows a large Syncline (the U-shaped fold in the rock layers).
More rock formations.
Geologic forces at work in Rainbow Basin.
The rolling hills created some neat shadows in the late afternoon sun.
A fault line is made visible through offset strata lines (just right of center at ~40 degree angle).
Lenticular Clouds
A few Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves momentarily took shape atop the Lenticular Clouds.
Joshua Tree at sunset along the auto tour road at Rainbow Basin.
Natural arch near the entrance of Owl Canyon.
Harry examines the canyon walls for fossils.
Harry is helped up a steep section of slot canyon by Christa.
Colorful rocks abound in Owl Canyon.
Owl Canyon opens up and reveals a Martian like landscape.