Desert Gazette

I was fortunate to be able to shoot two sunsets and one sunrise at this location a couple days ago. The wildflower display was intense and the air was thick with the perfume of the sand verbena (purple flowers on the left).

The crater is a volcanic cone which may have been active as recently as 600-900 years ago. A fun story is that one of the local high schools (50-60 miles away) in the 1950-60s, started a tire fire in the center of the crater during a party. The fire lasted for days and the black smoke could be seen for miles around. Folks driving by thought the volcano was going to errupt and notified the newpapers in Los Angeles- which started a panic of sorts, at least until geologists flew over to investigate. 

Amboy Crater at sunrise (March 2008).

Desert Marigolds and sand verbena

More about Amboy Crater:

http://digital-desert.com/amboy-crater/

And, in reply to a question I was asked regarding whether the crater was in the Mojave or Sonoran Desert;

Geographically and geomorphically the Mojave- Amboy Crater. Otherwise (botanically), I believe the area is an ecotone region between the two deserts; no Joshua trees (Mojave), no ocotillo cactus (Sonoran). Some instances of crucifixion cactus (rare- I believe Sonoran). Some instances of blue palo verde (Sonoran).

Mojave geomorphic region
Ecosubsection - Bullion Mountains - Bristol Lake
http://digital-desert.com/ecosections/322ao.htm

(See section “O” on map at bottom of page of: )
http://digital-desert.com/ecosections/322a.htm

The Sonoran Desert lies to the southeast (within sight).
Sonoran geomorphic region
Ecosubsection - Cadiz, Vidal Valleys
http://digital-desert.com/ecosections/322b.htm

(See section “A” on map at bottom of page of: )
http://digital-desert.com/ecosections/322b.htm

In a few days I’m attending a ‘Rocks and Minerals’, class in Joshua Tree NP. I’ll be spending an extra night in 29 Palms and hope to go through the Cadiz Valley on Monday. I’m hoping to get some shots of the Cadiz Dunes Wilderness area on the trip through this remote area. I’m thinking I may spend the night in my truck and get some shots of the dunes at sunrise- possibly sunset the first night. I’m wrapped. I’ve been eyeing the road on maps for 7-8 years now. Since it is remote and I’ll be out there on Monday and Tuesday, I’ve been making sure my truck is in proper condition.

Since I’m more concerned with the Mojave for my project I’ve been saving this arm of the Sonoran Desert that extends into the Mojave for near the last. Afterwards, (A month or two) I have another road that heads north from Ludlow to Baker that I haven’t been on. That will complete the basics on the California Mojave. Then this fall and beyond I’m hoping to go further north into Nevada, southwest Utah and western Arizona to the mouth of the Grand Canyon.

Sorry for rambling. I’m into my 14th year on my obsession and excited that I’m seeing light at the end of a project I initially thought would take me 5 years.