Thursday, July 18, 2019

Mojave Desert Lava Tube

Last week I posted about Amboy, CA. After exploring Amboy, my wife, granddaughter and I continued our journey, hoping to find something called the Mojave Lava tube. We left Amboy and headed north through the Mojave Desert Preserve. The lava tube is about 19 miles SE of Baker (as the crow flies). Exit Kelbaker Road on an unmarked dirt road heading NE (35.155378, -115.790415). On Google Maps, the dirt road is marked Aiken Mine Road. Follow it for about 5 miles to a dirt parking area. It's a short hike up to the lava tube, but the rocky volcanic soil makes it a little challenging. Be sure to research where you are going ahead of time, and perhaps download some waypoints to follow as you drive, and then hike, to the location. I read a number of Google reviews from people who where unable to find the lava tube. Oh, and avoid this area in the summer. Too darn hot!
We were driving a Honda AWD CR-V and made it without any problem. It looked to me like a standard 2WD could make it if you proceed cautiously and avoid soft sand.

Lilly leading the way on a nice blue sky day. At one time, you were allowed to drive up here, but now it's open to foot traffic only beyond the parking area. Somewhere up there is a big lava tube!

Eventually, you will notice a large hole in the ground with a metal stairway leading down to the rocks below.
Going down!!

After descending the stairs, it's not immediately obvious where the lava tube is. The terrain is a jumble of rocks! It turns out there is a low ledge you need to go under (in the shadows so hard to see). No problem for Lilly, but I was down on hands and knees going under the ledge, balancing my cell phone as a flash light and trying to keep my camera out of the dirt.

Lilly, looking a little like the "Creature from the Lava Tube"!!
The main part of the lava tube is large and roomy. It also has a skylight. Unfortunately, we were not in the tube at the right time of day. But I've seen photos posted from this spot where the beam of light shining through the skylight hits the floor. You can stand under it for a very dramatic photo!

Perhaps it was too late in the day, but the shaft of light was coming in at about a 45 degree angle and hitting the wall, not the ground. Still fun to see!


Time to leave the lava tube and head on to our next destination. From Amboy, to the Mojave Desert Lava Tube, to... seriously? Vegas?? Talk about a culture shock!

Lilly went from the desolate loneliness of Amboy, to the rocky, dark and unforgiving landscape of the lava tube, to being pampered in a Vegas hotel room. I must say, she made the transition remarkably well 😉

Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!!

44 comments:

  1. Quite beautiful shots inside that tube.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's amazing!! Such a little girl bravely going into what looks to me to be snake heaven. The little town where my mother is from, Dubois, Idaho has a lava tube that is quite long and during the cold war was converted into a fallout shelter. It is no longer that but is kept locked up except for tours.
    I've been to the lava tubes in Hawaii, they are pretty cool as well. Especially the ocean front ones that lead to pools inland.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That lava tube was really off the beaten path. Definitely not a summer excursion.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another wonderful adventure for her to remember. Watching a movie a couple of nights ago, I saw a spot in Death Valley I remember from a trip in 1951. Wasn't quite the same, but still... I remember the trip and the spot fondly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lilly is a lucky duck to have such an adventure at such an early age.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes,Lilly did all those as long as she has her Ipad :)

    Incredible lava tube. Larger than I saw in HI.

    Worth a Thousand Words

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lilly sounds like a good travel companion in your wanderings.

    ReplyDelete
  8. That's an amazing find and a great adventure for Lilly! A few years ago, we did a trip out west: Telluride, Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion. The final stop was Vegas. I get your culture shock.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You do interesting explorations. Quite inspiring to read

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lava tube caves are so cool! Nice photos.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is one very cool tunnel and cave!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful photos.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello, the Lava Tube is cool. What a neat adventure for Lilly! The shaft of lighting is dramatic, great for photos. Enjoy your day! Have a happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think you are giving Lily exactly the right kind of education - and she earned her place in the fluffy bed.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kids are flexible.

    Now I've seen a lava tube. Gotta go to Wikipedia and learn how they are made.

    ReplyDelete
  16. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_tube

    ReplyDelete
  17. That lava tube is really something to see, great photos!

    ReplyDelete
  18. We have traveled full time for the past 22 years, you still open areas we never touched and some, like the Lava tube, we had never heard of. THANKS for taking us along.
    Sherry & jack now in Pennsylvania.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lily is the 'star of the show' ~ What an amazing place and what adventures you are sharing her ~ ^_^
    Not to mention your excellent photography ~

    Happy Day to you,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  20. PArt of a volcano that is so cool finding that and exploreing it. I musy say Lilly looks well at home wil all the chddly toys

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great photos of the lava tube. I never heard of that before so I thank you.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  22. The lava tube is an interesting experience, surely!
    I had never heard of anything like that.
    ...and your little beauty has grown up! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fascinating post. Beautiful child. I LOVE her bed mates!

    ReplyDelete
  24. That last photo is so cute!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Pretty cool to go inside the lava tube. Looks like Lilly has it all figured out :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. My back would never survive this but, what a photo op, especially if the light is right. Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What great adventures you have in your beloved Mojave Desert!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Absolutely Amazing Timing On That Light Beam - Well Done

    Cheers
    P.S. Here ( https://www.radiofreeamerica.com/show/magic-carpet-ride-1-kafm-community-radio ) Is The Link To My Last Radio Show

    ReplyDelete
  29. Really a totally adventurous trip. Three cheers for Lily!

    ReplyDelete
  30. wow this trips looks like so much fun!!

    Jadieegosh

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lily is a brave girl to venture into the dark lava tube. Amazing shots inside the lava tube. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great posting again. Brave granddaughter and the next background for Lara Croft is already found.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love how intrepid Miss Lily wears a pink dress to explore lava tubes! That was fascinating as I’d never even thought of seeing the inside of a lava tube myself.

    ReplyDelete
  34. What a place. Never seen anything like it. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Interesting post explaining a terrific place, and, as always, great pictures !

    ReplyDelete
  36. That lava tube cave is amazing....Lilly looks so fearless all alone in there (I know G &G were right close at hand, but I have no doubt that young lady could handle that climb alone! She can obviously handle anything that happens (even Las Vegas )).....what a nice vacation it all was.

    ReplyDelete
  37. An interesting outing. Lily made a good model for you and gave a reference point for the size of the lava tube. She looks like she is ready now to enjoy the rest.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kids can be wonderfully adaptable.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Amazing shots..especially Lily standing in the light!

    ReplyDelete
  40. You and your family have the best adventures! I like that you are setting such a fine example for Lilly!

    ReplyDelete
  41. We visited lava tubes in Hawaii. And lots of other things hot and melty. You always find the out-of-the-way adventures. It reminds me of Pat Tillet. I haven't heard from him in awhile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sharon. I talk to Pat on a somewhat regular basis. He has stepped away from blogging for a while, but he's having many fun-looking RV adventures! I hope he starts posting again. He's such a wealth of information!

      Delete