 |
|
 |
|
Horned toad near the Racetrack Playa |
|
 |
|
 |
|
After spending several hours walking around the
playa and observing the errant patterns of the tracks, I am
convinced that some of the tracks are caused by plants and
sticks (whose remnants have long since been blown away), and
the motive force is a combination of both straight-line and
circular "dust devil" winds and a "sweet spot"
condition of water and mud that is extremely slippery. The
composition of the mud in the lake bed is similar to clays
used as lubricants in drilling operations and is extremely
slippery when wet. The composition of the mud in the southern
end of the lake bed is different from the northern end, and
this may account for the different behavior of the sliding
stones in the two areas.
After a very windy night spent near the playa
at the Homestake campground (our tent nearly launched into
flight even with two heavy humans and about 250 pounds of
rock ballast), we proceeded down into Saline Valley on the
very scenic Lippincot Mine road. We drove through an extensive
Joshua tree forest on the Darwin Plateau before reaching California
State Route 190 just to the west of Father Crowley Point.
We stopped for very tasty BLT sandwiches at the Panamint Springs
Café before returning to Las Vegas. I wouldn't recommend
ever attempting the Lippincot Mine Road in a passenger car
and further suggest that anyone intending to travel this route
have extensive four-wheel drive experience.
A trip from Las Vegas out to the Racetrack Playa
and back can be accomplished in one day. Recently, I left
the Strip about 7:00 a.m. and reached the playa at about 11:00
a.m. After wandering about the playa and marveling at the
crazy and intricate patterns for four hours, I returned the
way I had come and was back in my office before nightfall.
Extra water is an absolute necessity -- for both humans and
the vehicle. Maps are another must -- the two I use are the
California
Benchmark Atlas and the National
Geographic Trails Illustrated Death Valley Map. Know how
to change your tires and carry survival gear. Here are some
desert
travel tips.
A memorable journey of discovery to a remote
region that's also remarkably accessible, a trip to visit
the mysterious sliding stones is both baffling and enchanting.
Mark
Sedenquist
April 23, 2006
