Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark
Geological feature consisting of more than 500 spires,
some as high as 140 feet above the surface of the Searles Dry Lake basin.
The spires are composed primarily of calcium carbonate, also known as "tufa".
The Trona Pinnacles are a popular filming location.
Some of the films in which they have been featured:
"Battlestar Galactica", "Star Trek V: the Final Frontier",
Disney's "Dinosaur" "Lost in Space", and "Planet of the Apes".
The Trona Pinacles are situated within the California Desert
National Conservation Areas, at an elevation of about 1,800 feet above sea level.
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U.S. Bureau of Land Management "Trona Pinacles" Article
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Wikipedia "Trona Pinacles" Article
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California Through My Lens "Trona Pinacles" Article
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Desert USA "Trona Pinacles" Article
Searles Dry Lake
Evaporite basin about 12 miles long and about 8 miles wide at
its widest point. The lake basin is bounde by
the Argus Mountains and the Slate Mountains.
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Searle Lake Gem and Mineral Society
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Wikipedia "SearlesLake" Article
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Mojave Desert Dot Net "Searles Lake" Article
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NASA Satellite Image of Searle Lake
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Searle Lake Gem and Mineral Society
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WikiMedia "Minterals of Searles Lake" Pictures
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Searles Lake Natural Resource Damage Incident Summery
Trona Highway Safety Rest Stop
Small roadside park with restrooms and both
covered and uncovered picnic tables.
Home of a historic marker commemorating the discovery of Borox
(see below).
The safety stop is located on Trona Road at the south end of Center Street in Trona.
Hisstoric Markers in the Trona Area
Searles Lake Borox Discovery Historic Marker
California historical landmark #774 is located within the Trona Highway Safety Rest Step
at the intersection of Trona Road and Center Street.
Plaque placed on November 8, 1962
by the California State Park Commission in
cooperation with the Death Valley 49ers, the American
Potash and Chemical Corp. and the West End Chemical Division
of Stauffer Chemical Corporation
INSCRIPTION: "Borax was discovered on the nearby surface of
Searles Lake by John Searles in 1862. With his
brother, Dennis, he formed the San Bernardino
Borax Mining Company in 1873 and operated it until
1897. The chemicals in Searles Lake, which included
borax, potash, soda ash, salt cake, and lithium, were
deposited here by the runoff waters from melting
ice age glaciers. John Searles' discovery has proved
to be the world's richest chemical storehouse
containing half the natural elements known to man."
Austin Hall historic Marker
Historic marker commemorating the site of a building
named after Stafford W. Austin. The building was "removed" in 1965.
The plaque was placed by the Searles Valley Historical Solciety in 2002.
John and Dennis Searles Wagon Routes Monument
Trona Travel Guide
Desert Region of San Bernardino County
About San Bernardino County
California for Visitors
