Mitchell Caverns in California, December 2024

In previous years when we have been to or driven past Mojave National Preserve, Mitchell Caverns have been closed. But they reopened in 2017 and are once again providing tours. Located in the Providence Mountains State Recreation Area adjacent to the Preserve, these caverns are as beautiful as any we've seen, including Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and Luray Caverns in Virginia.

At the trailhead, there is a wonderful Visitor Center with many artifacts and wonderful staff, and a small campground with five sites.

	The trail to the entrance of the Caverns is fairly easy and paved, although inside the caverns there are stairs and the path can be uneven. You can see the two cave openings near the top left. We almost didn't take this tour because we have seen so many caves and felt we had probably seen the best, but we ran into another traveller who had just taken the tour and was so impressed with it that he convinced us to do it. We are very glad we did. Our ranger guide, Andy, was excellent describing the history and answering questions about the local flora and fauna. There was only one other person on the tour this day, Andy's friend Craig, a biologist who was keen to photograph the Niptus beetles, which are only found in this cave.
	Brad and I near the first formations inside the cave. We did not expect such massive formations. The second we entered the cavern, we realized the fee was well worth it.
	Here is a section of the ceiling with straw-like stalactites. I took MANY photos inside the cave (all with my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra), and had a really hard time deciding which to show on this blog.
	The tour included two caves which are joined now since owners Jack and Ida Mitchell blasted out the rock between them, although they are separated by two sealed doors and an antechamber for climate control. One cave faces mostly north, while the other faces mostly south, so the southern-facing one is obviously hotter. Tours begin from the northern cave, and we could instantly feel the temperature and humidity rise as we passed through the second door. It was in this room facing south where the remains of an ancient ground sloth was discovered and excavated, as were many items of native origin. The blue glow in the middle of the photo is the natural entrance to this cave from the outside and is sometimes inhabited by a mama mountain lion and cubs.  Video cameras on the park's website have footage.
	Well doesn't this look like one big mess of ??? something. They are called helictites, which are basically stalactites that form in various directions seemingly defying gravity. I think they are beautiful.

 

Amboy Crater in California, December 2024

We have driven by Amboy Crater before, but never hiked it as we were on our way elsewhere. But this time, we took a day trip to Amboy from our campsite in Mojave National Preserve near Hole-in-the-Wall, where we were dispersed camping about 4 miles from the campground there.

	In the town of Amboy stands the iconic Route 66 sign for Roy's Motel, which still stands but is vacant. Current population of Amboy is 1 - the owner of the gas station, convenience store and motel, which he is remodelling, hoping to re-open if water problems can be resolved. Amboy is one of 10 towns established by the railroad, then the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, as a stop along the east-west route. They are named in alphabetical order from west to east - Amboy, Bristol (now Bengal), Cadiz, Danby, Edson (now Essex), Fenner, Goffs, Homer, Ibis, and Java. RVers can dry camp across from the motel for a small nightly fee. Amboy Crater is in the background, between the supports of the sign.
	Amboy is a young crater, its last eruption occurring about 10,000 years ago. It is 250 feet high and 1,500 feet in diameter, and composed of cinder and ash. The crater is 1.1 miles from the parking/day use area, followed by an 80 foot climb up steep switchbacks on the west side.
	Brad on the switchbacks, looking west. The lava flow is made up of basalt rich in magnesium, iron and calcium, with a few olivine crystals strewn throughout. Amboy Crater is located near the southern end of the lava field of the Barstow-Bristol Trough which is approximately 110 miles long.
	From the rim trail, I am looking into the crater where Brad is talking to a couple with their dog. The hike around the crater rim is about 1 mile long, and the views of the surrounding desert, lava flow and mountains is striking.