Documenting Eastern California along US 395 for my Geography 5 (lab) at Chaffey College

1. Photographic Field Journal Fontana Lab: April 2 & April 15-17 Brandon Thrakulchavee Geography 5 Prof. L. Schmidt May 6, 2011

2. Field Trip 1 Coso Volcanic Range Fossil Falls Mormon Rocks

3. Coso Volcanic Range Cinder Hill is one of the most prominent features in this range of young volcanoes. It is an example of a composite cinder cone and rises over a field of lava beds. One can find formations of intrusive basalt and extrusive lava flows. These signature volcanic features can be seen across the valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the West and to the Inyo-White Mountains to the East. Cinder Hill Basaltformation Brandon Thrakulchavee

4. Coso Volcanic Range The two photos below show some more unique features in the volcanic area. On the left, an extrusive lava flow is circled. You can also see evidence of the landscape changing where the basalt has eroded away to form a gorge at the edge of the desert; and, the grasses growing in an intrusive basalt formation. Brandon Thrakulchavee Eroded Basalt Brandon Thrakulchavee Root Wedging

5. Fossil Falls Where the Owens River once flowed is a scarred ecosystem. One of the endangered “species”- water, actually became extinct in the floodplain. What it left behind were these amazing “fossils” of a former water fall, where the Owens once majestically dropped 200 feet before meandering to Owens Lake. The unique and beautiful shapes at Fossil Falls are due to the once rushing water pounding and smoothing the volcanic basalt. Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

6. Fossil Falls Before Los Angeles grew to be a major metropolis, the Owens River once flowed through here. Without running water some parts of the stream bed are beginning to fade into the surrounding landscape. However, this picture clearly shows the banks of the former flood plain. Owens River (dry) stream bed and flood plain Brandon Thrakulchavee

7. Fossil Falls Examples of metate holes. These were created in the falls by rocks which were captured by a current subsequently weathering the basalt into a pot like hole. Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

8. Fossil Falls The area around Fossil Falls was inhabited by Paiute and Shoshone peoples. They lived a nomadic lifestyle, spending the warmer months in the Sierra foothills and the cooler months near the Owens River. Evidence of their native way of life can still be seen today. Petroglyphs (drawings) can be found on rocks nearby. This one depicts several Big Horn sheep. Brandon Thrakulchavee

9. Fossil Falls Shown here is the foundation for a Native dwelling, known as a house ring. When covered with reeds, this would have provided shelter for the hunter-gatherers. Brandon Thrakulchavee

10. Fossil Falls Among the stones found around Fossil Falls are many pieces of obsidian. This igneous rock is created when hot magma cools. It looks and feels like glass, and was used as a valuable tool by the Paiute and Shoshone. You can also see examples of other igneous rocks: basalt (black stones), scoria (red stones), pumice (inset). PUMICE BASALT SCORIA Brandon Thrakulchavee Obsidian Flake Brandon Thrakulchavee

11. Mormon Rocks Officially designated The Rock Candy Mountains, the more common name for these sandstone rock outcroppings is Mormon Rocks. These sandstone rock fault blocks are formed as the pressure of the N. American plate and Pacific slide past each other. The unique shape and pockmarked (inset) texture made this formation an easy “sign” to travelers ending their journey across the Mojave Desert and into the San Bernardino Valley The moniker honors the early Mormon settlers who found the route through Cajon Pass more pleasing than the original Mojave Indian Trail. Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

12. Mormon Rocks This photo shows a closer image of the granular structure of the Mormon Rocks. This sandstone is more resistant to weathering than the sediment rocks which were around it, making them a prominent geographic feature of the area. SEDIMENT LAYERS Brandon Thrakulchavee POCKMARK

13. Mormon Rocks This photo shows the stream bed of Cajon Wash – the seasonal river which flows past Mormon Rocks. Of interest, also, is the railroad bridge which crosses the river and suggests the flow of water here can be enough to disrupt our human landscape. Brandon Thrakulchavee Cajon Wash dry stream bed

14. Mormon Rocks While this may look peaceful and iconic, you are actually viewing of photo of one of the most geologically active areas in the world. This is the place where the North American Plate and Pacific Plate meet and slid past one another. The action of this strike/slip, known as the San Andreas, created the rift valley below. San Andreas Rift Zone Brandon Thrakulchavee

15. Field Trip 2 Diaz Lake Mt. Whitney Visitors’ Center Keough’s Hot Springs Mono Lake Convict Lake Owens River Eastern California Museum Manzanar

16. Diaz Lake Diaz Lake is a feature known as a sag pond. A sag pond is created when a large earthquake displaces land and causes it to sink. The land displaced by the 1872 earthquake was enough that the lake filled as Diaz Creek flowed into the sag. Several springs and run off from the nearby Alabama Hills also feed the lake. Inyo-White Mountains Brandon Thrakulchavee

17. Diaz Lake The area around Diaz Lake is representative of what the Owens Valley looked like prior to the export of its river water. This grove of Cottonwood trees is a tell that water is nearby. Also, in this picture are the Alabama Hills which trace to location of the Lone Pine Fault. The dark line along the base of the hills is the Los Angeles Aqueduct. LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT LONE PINE FAULT COTTONWOOD TREES Brandon Thrakulchavee

18. Mt. Whitney Interagency Visitor Center At 14, 505 feet, Mt. Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous forty-eight United States. It is deceiving in the picture, as Mt. Whitney looks lower. However, this is caused by the near Lone Pine Peak looking taller. Inyo-White Mountains Mt. Whitney Alluvial Fan Brandon Thrakulchavee Sierra Nevada Range The Inyo-White Mountains form the eastern side of the Owens Valley. The key difference Between the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains is their weathering. The “v”-shaped valley on the Whites indicate water erosion, while the “u”-shaped valleys on the Sierra Nevada indicate glacial erosion. Alabama Hills Brandon Thrakulchavee

19. Mt. Whitney Interagency Visitor Center From near Big Pine, CA the most southern glacier can still be seen. The Palisades Glacier is currently in retreat. Palisades Glacier Brandon Thrakulchavee

20. Keough’s Hot Springs The hot creek and pools is fed from a spring in the Alabama Foothills. The water is warmed underground through geothermal processes. Alabama Hills Brandon Thrakulchavee Hot Spring Brandon Thrakulchavee

21. Mono Lake Mono Lake at one time covered nearly 1000 sq. miles. Through drought, evaporation, and recently, diversion Mono Lake currently covers about 66 sq. miles. Protected from diversion, three streams feed this terminal lake. Also, the two islands at the north shore provide a safe breeding ground for seagulls who feed on alkali flies and brine shrimp. Brine Shrimp Brandon Thrakulchavee Negit Island Paoha Island Mono Lake Brandon Thrakulchavee

22. Mono Lake Mono Lake’s beauty and unique chemistry helped save it from the fate shared by many others in the Owens Valley. The lake and its watershed are protected and will continue to be an important Eastern California ecosystem. Ancient Shoreline Historical shoreline: 6417’ Current shoreline : 6383’ Brandon Thrakulchavee

23. Mono Lake Mono Lake is a terminal lake, meaning it has no natural outlet but evaporation. As lake levels dropped these amazing tufa formations were exposed. Tufas are created where a spring vents into the lake. The mixture of fresh water into the lake’s unique alkaline, saline, and arsenic rich water creates the otherworldly feature. Tufa formation Brandon Thrakulchavee

24. Mono Lake Glaciated Valley Brandon Thrakulchavee Panum Crater Brandon Thrakulchavee

25. Convict Lake Convict Lake is found between in a cirque left by a glacier. Unique to this area is where uplift has exposed the Sierra Nevada’s oldest rocks. Oldest rocks in the Sierra Nevada Convict Lake Brandon Thrakulchavee

26. Convict Lake Moraines are left behind whena glacier retreats. They are the debris and rock which a glacier has carved out of the mountains and deposits along the advancing ice. Terminal moraine Lateral moraine Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

27. Owens River As Southern California conserves water, more is left to flow naturally. Here is the Owens River near Bishop, CA Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee This benchmark is an official geodetic survey marker, used for mapping and property purposes.

28. Owens River As Southern California conserves water, more is left to flow naturally. Here is the Owens River near Bishop, CA Swallow nests Tule Reeds Owens River Brandon Thrakulchavee

29. Owens River The oldest living tree on the planet is native to the Inyo-White Mountains. A bristlecone pine can live over 4500 years. Here is the view of the Bristlecone Pine forests above Bishop, CA Collection of the Eastern California Museum Closer image of Bristlecone Pines Brandon Thrakulchavee

30. Eastern California Museum I felt this was an interesting artifact because it demonstrates how little control over the local economy and ecology the residents of the Owens Valley have. Its unfortunate how they were taken advantage of by Los Angeles, and how the way of life was altered. I think that the lessons learned from the Owens River/LA Aqueduct should resonate for future generations and how important sustainability is to our survival as a culture and as humans. The Mono Lake Committee Brandon Thrakulchavee Collection of the Eastern California Museum

31. Manzanar During WW II about 10,000 Americans of Japanese decent were ordered to this concentration camp for their safety and the fear of their threat to America. This would have been the location of the warehousing district inside Manzanar. There were dry and refrigerated storage facilities for imported and exported good. Manzanar was a working apple orchard. Brandon Thrakulchavee

32. Manzanar During WW II about 10,000 Americans of Japanese decent were ordered to this concentration camp for their safety and the fear of their threat to America. Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee A glimpse into the life in the camp. Check Station built by Japanese

33. In-Transit & Other Flora Fauna Urban Sprawl Doppler Radar Rand District Garlock Fault Playa SETI Water & Power Solar Plant Cucamonga Fan

34. Flora Burroweed grass Creosote Bush Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Desert Wildflowers Brandon Thrakulchavee Lilac Joshua Trees Brandon Thrakulchavee Yucca Tree Brandon Thrakulchavee Sage Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

35. Fauna Lorquin’s Admiral Alkali Fly Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Scorpion (young) Raven Canadian Goose Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Western Gull Mallard Osprey Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

36. Urban Sprawl Leap frog developments are those where the human environment takes advantage of open space by building ahead of and away from current urban areas. This method impacts the natural environment by the inefficient use of space for human comfort. Leap frog tracts Brandon Thrakulchavee Introduction of non-native vegetation Brandon Thrakulchavee

37. Doppler Radar Tower The Doppler Radar was first discovered in 1842. Development and use of the technology has been in the fields of aeronautics and meteorology. Brandon Thrakulchavee

38. Rand Mining District The Rand Mining District was once a lead producer of gold in California. 20% of the state’s gold deposits were located at the site. The living ghost towns of Randsburg and Johannesburg line Highway 395, as do these examples of the tailings (useless) dirt and ore from the mines. Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee

39. Garlock Fault The Garlock Fault is the second largest fault in California. Apx. location of fault Brandon Thrakulchavee

40. Playa A playa is the remains of a lake bottom. The soil is typically barren and hard, impervious to new plant growth. Koehn Dry Lake Brandon Thrakulchavee

41. SETI Site The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence Institute operates a site in the Owens Valley. The location far from civilization and between the Inyo-White and Sierra Nevada Ranges creates a sort of quiet zone for “listening at the stars.” Brandon Thrakulchavee

42. Water & Power The California Aqueduct brings water from Central California into the Inland Empire and is part of the tremendous effort by Southern Californian’s to supply this vital resource to the arid south. Other notable aqueducts in this system include the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Colorado River Aqueduct. Part of the Owens River/L.A. Aqueduct system, is the development of geothermal- and hydro-power. The generated electricity is carried south power high tension power lines. DWP High Voltage Transmission Lines CA Aqueduct Brandon Thrakulchavee

43. Water & Power . Relief map showing LA DWP influence in the Owens Valley A section of steel pipe used to divert Owens River water to Los Angeles Brandon Thrakulchavee Brandon Thrakulchavee Collection of the Lone Pine Interagency Visitor Center

44. Solar Power Plant Looking like an oasis, the Solar Power plant lays out north of Kline’s Corner, CA Brandon Thrakulchavee The solar mirrors closer up Brandon Thrakulchavee

45. Cucamonga Alluvial Fan An alluvial fan is created at the base of ravine where water and runoff leave a mountain valley. Over time sediments are deposited to build this triangular feature at the foot of mountain ranges. The Cucamonga fan, a combination of several depository fans, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains is the largest in California. Combined Cucamonga Alluvial Fans Brandon Thrakulchavee

46. the end Orographic Effect over the San Bernardino Mountains Corona around the sun. Where light is reflected of water vapor in upper atmosphere