Simply 45 miles north of Los Angeles, within the Sierra Pelona Mountains, lies considered one of California’s most iconic Pure Space Parks: the Vasquez Rocks. The Park is known for its breathtaking rock formations that rise from the bottom like whales peeping out from the water. Due to their unusual angle, the rocks look virtually unnatural, like one thing from outer area.
Geological Historical past of the Vasquez Rocks
The Park’s geological historical past is kind of fascinating. These dramatic sandstones are principally deposits of crumbled sand and rocks from the close by San Gabriel Mountains. What we see at present is the results of hundreds of years of abrasion, strain and precipitations that brought on the sand to compress and kind flat layers of exhausting sandstone.
As a result of the slabs had totally different densities they eroded at totally different charges, thus making a layer impact. As for the rocks’ angled projection, that is because of their location alongside the San Andreas Fault. The continual motion of the fault causes the rocks to shift, which in time resulted of their excessive elevate.
How Did the Vasquez Rocks Get Their Title?
The Vasquez Rocks Pure Park have been named after a bandit –Tiburcio Vasquez– who stole horses and robbed stagecoaches on this space, within the 1850s.
There are a lot of people tales about Vasquez and his band of thieves. And like all tales, some are true and a few should not. However what’s certainly true is that Vasquez used to cover from the sheriff among the many jagged rocks that at present bear his title.
One story says that Tiburcio Vasquez, who was additionally a womanizer, had an affair with the spouse of considered one of his lieutenants. The jealous husband shot and wounded Vasquez, however couldn’t kill him. Livid that he failed, the husband knowledgeable the lawmen that Vasquez and his males have been hiding among the many rocks.
Two posses moved in and surrounded the gang within the pure amphitheater, simply south of the tallest rock formation. Throughout the assault Vasquez was wounded, however managed to flee to the Mohave Desert. Nonetheless, the posse caught up with him finally. Vasquez was tried in a court docket of legislation and hanged in 1875.
Even at present you possibly can nonetheless see traces of the bandits’ fires on sure rocks that kind pure fireplaces.
Mountain climbing Trails in Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks Pure Space Park is a mountain climbing paradise! The Park spreads over an space of 932 acres, so there are fairly a number of mountain climbing and horseback driving trails round. Listed here are among the hottest ones:
Well-known Rocks Path
If you’re on the lookout for one thing quick, you possibly can benefit from the half-mile Well-known Rocks Path that can take you thru probably the most recognizable rock formations within the park. This path is generally flat and doesn’t contain any mountain climbing, so it’s best for households with younger children.
In the event you’re lower than the quick half mile hike, you possibly can drive down this grime highway to see crucial rock formations.
Climbing the Well-known Rocks
If you’re on the lookout for one thing extra adventurous, step out of the path if you attain the parking space on the finish of the Well-known Rocks Path. Right here you possibly can climb up the slanted rock on the west facet of the formation. In the event you comply with the sandstone incline, it is going to take you to the highest of the rocks. Simply be sure you put on footwear with good traction because the rocks could also be slippery.
You possibly can return the identical means you got here, which is what we did. Or you possibly can scramble down the east facet of the Well-known Rocks.
Vasquez Rocks Path
This can be a 2.7-mile loop path that begins close to Agua Dulce. The route is reasonably difficult and takes a mean of 1 hr 5 min to finish. Vasquez Rocks Path is in style for each mountain climbing and horseback driving, so count on to come across many different folks whereas on it.
Pacific Crest Path
The Pacific Crest Path crosses the park and might be related with a Foot Path to kind a 3.4-mile loop with 325 toes of elevation change. The route is taken into account reasonably difficult and takes about 1 hr 45 min to finish.
The loop passes by means of spectacular sandstone formations from the place you possibly can get pleasure from nice views of the park. Maintain your eyes open of some fascinating petroglyphs (most probably from the Native Individuals who inhabited this space).
Vasquez Rocks Films
As you might count on, the hanging rock formations pointing at a 45-degree angle made Vasquez Rocks an especially in style filming location. In consequence, the Park was was the setting of numerous movement photos, TV reveals, music movies, and video video games.
The primary film ever filmed right here was Warewolf in London, in 1935, adopted by One Million B.C. (1940) and The Ten Commandments, in 1956.
Among the films filmed at Vasquez Rocks have been The Flintstones, Planet of Apes, Austin Powers, Galaxy Quest, and Automobiles. However maybe the most well-liked of all have been the Star Observe productions, which included ten tv episodes and three films.
The Asher Ranch at Vasquez Rocks
In the event you stray from the Agua Dulce path (behind the Customer Heart) you might discover the remnants of a stone hearth on the high of a small knoll. This was as soon as a 300 acres ranch, that even had a swimming pool overlooking the Vasquez Rocks.
The property was acquired by Jefferson Asher, a rich Los Angeles industrialist who constructed right here the Asher Ranch, in 1934. The household used the ranch as a summer season retreat, but in addition to lift cattle, pigs and horses. When the pool was constructed they found some previous Indian burial websites round it.
In 1970, the Asher household offered the ranch to the county of Los Angeles, thus significantly rising the dimensions of Vasquez Rocks County Park. Additionally they donated all of the artifacts found on the location to the Los Angeles County Museum.
In 1971, after the ranch was offered, an earthquaked significantly broken the home and all of the constructions round it. The county determined to bulldoze the constructing for legal responsibility functions, as they feared folks might wish to climb on its rubble and get damage.
Sadly, when the officers ordered the bulldozing they didn’t notice the pool was resting on an archaeological website that was a part of the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations. In consequence, the location was destroyed and solely bits and items may very well be salvaged.
At this time, the one factor remaining from the Asher Ranch is the stone hearth and a concrete platform.
Sensible Data
It takes lower than an hour to get to the Vasquez Rocks from Los Angeles, driving north on the Fwy 5 and east on Freeway 14. The deal with is: 10700 West Escondido Canyon Street, Agua Dulce, CA 91350.
The Park is open daily of the week, from 8:00 a.m. to five:00 p.m. The paths are stunning to hike year-round, aside from a number of scorching days through the summer season months. A path map is accessible on the Customer Heart which is open Tuesday by means of Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I like to recommend stopping on the Customer Heart first and taking a map. There are a lot of offshoots and foot paths within the Park, so it’s straightforward to get misplaced.
Additionally, the Customer Heart has some good reveals of the birds and the snakes on this space. And, in case you are curious, you possibly can examine all the films which were filmed within the Park.
No payment or allow is critical for mountain climbing. Canine are welcome, however they have to be on leash.
Motels Close to Vasquez Rocks Pure Space Park
As Vasquez Rocks Park is lower than an hour from downtown Los Angeles, you possibly can keep in one of many resorts within the metropolis, or keep in different areas of L.A. However is you wish to be even nearer to the location, it’s best to keep in Santa Clarita. Listed here are some resorts round this space that you could possibly attempt:
A Remaining Phrase
Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, the Vasquez Rocks Pure Space Park is a very talked-about weekend getaway for locals and guests to California as nicely. So in case you are a customer and have extra than simply sooner or later in Los Angeles, I encourage you to incorporate this park in your itinerary. Very like Dying Valley, which is among the few Nationwide Parks near L.A., Vasquez Rocks is an interesting and distinctive place that you simply gained’t quickly neglect.
