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Back to China Ranch and On to Shoshone

The drive down China Ranch Road into and through the China Ranch Wash is dramatic. Limited turn-around for any RV pulling a car or trailer. Small RVs can probably find parking at the main parking lot.

No cell coverage! You must be self-reliant in the desert. Perhaps a quarter of the continental United States does not have cell phone service. You can read about my practicing with a satellite terminal that provides voice calls here: https://southwestrockhounding.com/sat-fi2-and-spot-x/

China Ranch Road from Thomas Farley on Vimeo.

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Here’s the shorter video for those with shorter attention spans:

 

 
 
 
 
 
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China Ranch Road to the China Ranch Date Farm at Instagram speed. The real time, four minute video called China Ranch Road’ is now at Vimeo and YouTube. I have no part in any YouTube ads, I have no ads at my website and nothing to sell. #geologistonboard#tecopa#chinaranch#inyocounty#roadtrip#palms#mojavedesert #armogosavalley

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More from the BLM trails starting at the China Ranch Date Farm parking lot. The Ranch and the Nature Conservancy have contributed mightily toward sustaining this area. #tecopa#natureconservancy #areaofcriticalenvironmentalconcern #mesquite#tonopahandtidewaterrailroad #chinaranchdatefarm #inyocounty#

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Back at China Ranch. Armagosa Tiver, mesquite bosque, old railroad bed. #roadtrip#geology #rocks#river#armagosa#inyocounty#mesquite#tecopa#mojavedesert#oasis#palmtrees#datepalms

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Kit Carson approved! Bread is great as well as the date shakes which are more ice cream than date. Despite the lush appearance of the trees, mesquite will tear you apart with its thorns and it is impossible to cross. Still, good cover for birds and pretty to look at from a distance. The drive down the road is terrific fun and worth doing several times. Also, walk through the palm trees themselves. Bring cash in small bills. Free admission so please buy something to support the ranch. Thank you. #tecopa#chinaranchdatefarm #inyocounty#roadtrip#

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Museum building closed, rock tour open. #geology #quartz #rockhound #rocks#roadtrip

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The Shoshone Museum Rock Display outside the Museum in Shoshone, California. Other nice but unlabeled rocks nearby as well. #geolgy #geologyrocks #geologistonboard #rocks#minerals#roadtrip#shoshone#tecopa#inyocounty#deathvalleyregion#museums#rockgarden#

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In Shoshone. Details to follow. Beautiful day on the desert. #shoshone#deathvalley#roadtrip#inyocounty #geolgy

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Greetings From the Nopah Range Wilderness Area

Working the grade off the desert floor into the mountains of Inyo County, California. This is on the Tecopa Road, the truck heading up to Emigrant Pass.

Not a tree anywhere. Can you see my truck back at the road?

Generally, trails in the mountains lead to other trails or a mine or prospect. Here, they may just wander off into the rocks.

A lonely Old Spanish Trail marker a mile off the Tecopa Road stands sentinel over the broad basin below.

An lava rock exhibiting flow direction? Or just another igneous rock?

Cyclic sedimentation. It’s thought the weight of each successive layer distorted layers below. Thought this was flow banding but that pertains to volcanics. These hills are carbonate filled, limestone rich. Uplifted sediments.

Preferential weathering in which harder materials remain while softer materials are worn away.


Banded quartzsite. Quartzsite in stripes and solids everywhere. Small purple and pink pieces are somewhat numerous, may make good tumbles.