Red Rock Canyon State Park is located in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. The canyon is composed of sandstone cliffs thousand’s of feet high, resting on ancient limestone and topped with volcanic rock. Check out these amazing formations! They reminded me of The Valley of the Kings in Egypt. (Click to enlarge).
The formations are approximately 14 million years old. The park is full of fossilized dinosaurs including elephants, extinct rhinos, three-toed horses, saber-tooth tigers and much more. It contains the richest concentrations of fossilized flora and fauna in Western North America. It is still being excavated by the Museum of Natural History.
Check out the people climbing in one area of the park. I included them so you could how massive these structures are!
The canyon sits on top of what was once an ancient inland lake. It is composed of sedimentary and igneous rock layers.
The vibrant red colors in the rock are from leeching iron oxide.
Red Rock Canyon was lifted by three seismic faults which pushed ancient rock to the surface. Wind, rain and sand erosion carved the beautiful structures in the sandstone.
This area was used as a trade route by Native Americans for thousands of years and is home to delicate desert flora and fauna.
Winter is a great time to visit! It is empty and not too hot. Cheers to you from the pristine and empty Red Rock Canyon!
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Nice,Cindy.
Mil grazi Ranu!
Awesome! The canyon looks like an imaginary city populated by giants who built breathtaking monuments specifically for National Geographic. Are you sure you do not work for National Geo?
I wish I did, then I wouldn’t have to pay for all my travel!!!
Stunning! I need to make a trip down south sometime! 🙂
You won’t regret it, but don’t go the Mohave in the summer. It gets quite toasty!
Well, this may be a repeat comment Cindy. I don’t know what happened to the first one but it said how much I love your photography and the information you provide along with those awesome shots. Are you sure you don’t work for Nat’l Geo?
You are such a great blogger friend Dor! Thank you~
This is beautiful! I’d never heard of it, but it makes me want to visit. So interesting, history. 🙂
A beautiful place, Cindy….thanks for sharing
Thanks for appreciating~
Beautiful. I wish I were there right now (and not just because of the weather).
I can well imagine, especially because of the weather. The other thing great about this time of year in the canyon is that no one is there. You have the place to yourself~
The nature is magnificent. These pictures make people in the cold and snowy place envy 🙂
Oh I hope it warms them up! Besides the Mojave is an incredibly hostile place in the summer. Nice now though~
Breathtaking formations and great pictures. They reminded me of the beauty of the Dead Sea. Have you ever been to a limestone cave?.
Oh yes, limestone caves are awe inspiring. I have never been to The Dead Sea but would love to someday. So happy you stopped by~
Just absolutely incredible; something about these ancient places seem to call the to the soul of many. Thank you for sharing these absorbing photographs…
Ah, your camera makes even stone look like paradise!
I am in love with my camera…..it’s a healthy relationship! 🙂
LOL I’m so happy for the two of you.
Amazing Cindy! These look like pics of ruins from an ancient civilization. A wonderful place captured magnificently!
Grazi Resa. How is your sister? I am heading over to both your blogs today to see. I’ve been thinking of you both and hoping for good things~
Thank you Cinyd…much appreciated. Her surgery is tomorrow!
fantastic photos of a natural marvel, thank you Cindy … those climbers look minute!
Amazing how puny we are in the scope of nature isn’t it!
Beautiful! those formations look almost like pillars 🙂
Yes carved pillars! Quite amazing~
I’ve never seen the Valley of the Kings except in pics and on TV.
This looks like ancient Egypt in my imagination!
Yes! Jim thought it looked like Petra. Definitely the combination of desert and sculpture~
How fascinating, I had no idea!! Thanks for sharing!!
Interesting how many times I drove by it with no awareness of it’s existence!
Oh, how majestic and wondrous! Thank you for this tour. x
I am just very pleased you enjoyed yourself! Cheers~
Fascinating place and photos.
Magnificent! The red in the rock reminds me of when I visited Roussillon in the Provence Region of France. They too, are spectacular to see if you ever have the chance;)
Roussilon, for red I imagine! I have been to Provence but never there. I wonder if it is where red marble comes from. Will google it~
It is a beautiful area & one that I am certain your would love to photograph!
To me, the red rocks of the southwest are spectacular … especially when contrasting colors are also included. … and then the final picture caused a sheepish grin. I’m curious … what do you think of this place? http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/on-a-wave/
Oh the wave. Jim has been uriging us to get it on the calendar for several years now. I think it looks utterly amazing and must go see for myself!
From what I understand, access is through a lottery.
We lived in the Mojave Desert and the CA coast during the 90s. These are a lovely reminder of the immense and diverse beauty. THANKS!
Who knew? You are bi-coastal!
Beautiful, as is the blue sky.
Perfect weather…too perfect! The drought here is serious~
Yes 🙁
A history lesson, a geography lesson and beautiful photos. Can’t beat it!
Don’t like being didactic but I couldn’t post the photos without some explanation because they are so unusual! Cheers to you Linda~
I love the explanations!
It is beautiful, I have seen it at least a couple hundred times and every time I have seen it, I have always though of how pretty it is, including here in these pictures. Thank you for posting the pics.
You have seen it 99 times more than I and if it weren’t for my clever husband I wouln’t have seen it either and I am a native Southern Californian! Kudos to you for knowing about it for so long~
Magnificent
It really was! Thank you~
I fell like I am the one who should be saying “thank you.”
Puts me in mind of ancient castles and palaces, Cindy. I love places like this ! Hugs.
Yes castles, specifically for me, a child’s drip sand castle magnified 10,000 times!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful place through your pictures. Ancient places have so many spirit layers you can feel them when you walk through.
Yes exactly! Thank you for putting this feeling into words~
Wow, I didn’t even know this place existed in California. Not only am I amused by your photography, but also you educating me.
Have you noticed your blog Fae? This is exactly what you do so well, and why we get along famously!!
Wow, that looks incredible. My daughter’s in-laws live in Ridgecrest. I’ll have to ask them about this. Maybe we could plan a trip there sometime. Thanks for the great photos and info!
Yes in the winter it is empty and close to Ridgecrest. You will not regret it!
When I first saw your picture I thought I was looking at Petra, in Jordan. Really fabulous shots. Ken
This s exactly what Jim said. Great minds………
🙂
Awesome rock formation. Great pictures. Thank you! Hugs! Veraiconica
Visa versa to you Veraiconica x2!
Incredible and beautiful…it reminds me of Petra in Jordan….
Now you, Jim and Ken have all said this and you are quite correct! It does indeed~
I visited Petra in the late 90’s and it was incredible….took my breath away….
Magnificent geological patterns, Cindy and I love the way you’ve taken them.
That makes me feel great! Thank you Don~
Wow!!!! very beautiful scenery. will love to visit here most definitely and thanks for posting. Happy New Year to you dear 🙂
Back to you my friend and please post about it when you go! I would be fascinated to see and hear your perception~
Most definitely. Thanks 🙂
14 million years-of-age! Makes one feel quite insignificant.
Yes! Somehow this sense of insignificance in the face of natural splendor calms me down. Feeling less important in the scope of things is freeing. Buddha of course, advised just this and if we are one with nature we never really end do we? Part of the whole. Love this feeling~
Nice perspective and philosophy, Cindy. Thank you.
So beautiful. Mother Nature is a wonderful sculptor.
I am a ridiculous fan of her work!!! lol~
really smart sequencing–and as a girl, I love the color coordination…:) From the grand, to the tiny, this place is gorgeous, and you captured its essence. Good perspective shot with the peeps, too. You need that…
Gotta have your peeps! If you notice in my pics they are often the size of ants!!! Thank you for your kindness ma deah~
Another great post Cindy. I should have visited the west.
If it makes you any better, I have never been to the Adirondacks and very much want to~
Great photos. I love desert landscapes. Have you been to the Bisti Badlands / De-Na-Zin Wilderness area in northern NM? There are whole petrified trees lying around, all kinds of interesting shaped hoodoos, and fantastic landforms in all kinds of colors. Lots of dinosaurs have been found there, as well.
No I haven’t but it sounds fantastic. I love deserts, in the spring, fall and winter! There are whole petrified logs in Mojave National Park too…..just laying there. Such wonder to behold on our small planet~
Magnificent nature cathedral These are stunning photos. Thank you, Cindy!
I love that concept! Nature’s cathedral, because it rings so true! Thank you Amy~
Cindy, I have been in that area and never seen this. I have a goal of 3 new places this year. Thanks for helping me add it.
Yay!! Then I have not blogged in vain! The more people see of our world, the more they will want to protect it. I know I’m preaching to the choir with you, but I do hope you visit and post about it!
Wow, fascinating place and great photos! Blessings, Natalie 🙂
Most appreciated Natalie! Grazi~
It looks like the inside of a cavern. Spectacular photos!
It does doesn’t it! See the comment above about limestone caverns. I hadn’t thought of this~
Very cool, looks like a great side for an old western movie. I wonder if any have been made there?
Tons of westerns were filmed here you clever one! As well as parts of Jurassic Park!
I agree with all the above. Lovely blog you have here, thank you for sharing such delights.
Thanks to you for stopping by and appreciating! This is what makes blogging fun, Cheers to you~
I love these pictures! I think we sometimes lose sight of what amazing transformations our Earth has undergone throughout its existence, but these pictures are a beautiful reminder.
Yes all the multiple extinctions and drastic climate changes from ice age, to swamp age, to ocean everywhere age, species rising and falling. The only real norm on this planet is dramatic change. We humans are simply one stage in this cycle. So happy you like the post~
Wonderful trip!
Yes indeed….when are you coming to Cali Eunice?????
If I win the house in TRUCKEE I will be closer 🙂
Truckee is gorgeous and quite near Lake Tahoe. Win! Win!
i love the desert and these photos are gorgeous. I am envious. Also, I realized I had only partially posted the Lucky story. I’ve updated if you want to read the rest of it. Thank you for posting these wonderful photographs. Makes me want to go back.
Quite frequently when I tick something off on my bucket list, I add it back because there was something I forgot to see!
The desert is always on my bucket list. I never get tired of it. I think I reblogged something about a trip into the desert. I’ll have to look again at your amazing photos and dream…
It also looks a bit like the desert in Jordan.
Yes people keep mentioning Petra. A place I long to see!
The desert is beautiful. There are some incredible places to visit that make you feel like you are in another world.
I agree completely! I am a desert rat!! I always visit your blog and like it but can’t comment or find your like button. I was just there and typed a comment which wouldn’t post. Please kinow I like your blog and appreciate the validity and stress of chemical sensitivity. Cheers to you and thank you!
Thank you for following. Thanks for letting me know about the comment problem I will try and figure it out.