Red Rock Canyon Ride

[roadrunner]

The weather here in the high desert has been most unusual the past 2 weeks or so.  By that I mean that it has been virtually calm so yesterday I decided I needed to get out on the road before the wind and cold returns.  Temp was 48F when I left, very nice, and partly cloudy.  

Started off riding on 30th Street West from Lancaster and was surprised to see that Los Angeles County has closed a 3 mile stretch of this lightly used road.  I'm guessing this is due to budgetary issues.  


First stop was near Soledad Mountain, site of many gold and silver mines, some of which are still operating.  This is about 6 miles south of Mojave.



Was surprised to see a swarm of honeybees around a flowering bush this late in the year.  


A view of Mojave airport with Soledad Mountain in the background.  Some airlines use the Mojave airport as a storage facility for completed airliners that haven't been sold yet.  I think the airlines like our dry climate (better than Seattle).  


Here is a picture showing part of the HPCC (Honda Proving Center of California) that was used to test cars and motorcycles.  This facility closed in 2010 and is up for sale now.  



A little bit further down the road, I stopped in Garlock which was a mining community around 1898 or so.  Not too much left now..  




I was struck by the irony of this image.  


I had originally intended to ride to Randsburg and Johannesburg (two old historic mining towns) but I could see that time was running short so I rode back to Highway 14 from Garlock and headed north to Red Rock Canyon.  I'll plan another separate trip for Randsburg and Johannesburg.  You may recognize the scenery at Red Rock Canyon as it has been used in many westerns and other movies.  






Headed for home at this point, stopping in Mojave for a hamburger.  Good ride and it felt good to get the Black Hawk out for a spin.  Rode about 100 miles altogether.  

[fishball]

That is some beautiful country Ray.  Thanks for the photos.  I would love to explore those old mining buildings and the canyon.

[FearThis SC]

Beautiful area!  Thanks for sharing!   

Ride Safe...

[drdubb]

Enjoyed the report. Would love to ride out that way someday.

[fortyhourdays]

Absolutely Gorgeous country.  Thanks for sharing.

[hppants]

I like the way the wind and weather has cut the rock - it's very ornate IMO.

A southwest trip is on the bucket list (I need a bigger bucket).  I want to see giant cactus and painted desert.

Thanks for sharing.

[Burgi]

I'm guessing those bees were enjoying some wind free time also.  Hold on, sounds like it is coming back with a vengeance.

[roadrunner]

I'm guessing those bees were enjoying some wind free time also.  Hold on, sounds like it is coming back with a vengeance.

I know ... predictions are for wind gusts up to 80mph in certain areas of Southern California   

[ariwhiteboy]

Very nice report!

[roadrunner]

When I was a teenager (ages ago!) the family was passing through Red Rock Canyon and we noticed a crowd in front of the Red Cliffs area.  Pulling over we realized they were filming a movie.  Turned out they were filming the stagecoach crash scene from "4 For Texas" starring Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  The stagecoach was rounding a turn in front of the cliff at a furious speed.  At a designated spot, the horses were released (to avoid injury) and a cable attached to the stagecoach pulled it over on its side.  Pretty exciting! 

[Falban]

Thanks for the trip RR.  Beautiful.

Might have to check out "4 for Texas" too.  Always on the lookout for 'new' westerns 

[Boise Jim]

Good stuff, RR.
Hard to keep your eyes on the road with all that scenery, huh?
Curious- what windshield is that?

[Epy]

Hadn't seen this post...very nice to see this report as I grew up in Bakersfield not too far away from there. Red Rock Canyon is one of my favorite places to go to back in CA.

[roadrunner]

Good stuff, RR.
Hard to keep your eyes on the road with all that scenery, huh?
Curious- what windshield is that?

Thanks BJ .. it is a Givi Universal A650.  A little big for me (I'm kinda short) but works great in the colder weather.

Hadn't seen this post...very nice to see this report as I grew up in Bakersfield not too far away from there. Red Rock Canyon is one of my favorite places to go to back in CA.

Thanks Epy!  SOQS is a Bakersfield native as it turns out!  We still go to Bakersfield occasionally to visit her relatives.

[Mad_Marv]

Wow, I love the scenery. It's absolutely stunning.

[cjbear11]

Great RR! What beautiful looking place!

[abefroman]

That looks amazing, excellent pics