| Page Views: 1,741 Last Visit to Trona: March, 2005 | Trona - a little town that still boast life:-) by Yaqui - last update: Dec 13, 2008 |
California’s Abandoned Mines - Stay Out - Stay Alive!
While traveling to Death Valley, we stopped on the way back because something caught my eye. The wonderful mural of the beast of burden. A Twenty Mule Team Mural graces one side of the Guest House Musuem. So, we stopped and then started to explore a little. We did eventually come back to see the Pinnacles during the winter months since it was much cooler. Although, the rest of the view of the town is not at its best, people need to be reminded this is still part of the desert with Death Valley just on the other side of the mounatin range. It takes some hardy souls to make a life here, but it just goes to show you how really strong some individuals are and how deep their roots go and grow from being part of tiny communities that dot all along the US.
Trona is located along Hwy 178 and is home of the Searles Valley Minerals Facility. Searles Valley is located in the Greater Mojave Desert and a historical rich in minerals even today. This community faces the great valley of the Slate and Argus Mountains. It looks very desolated and vast. This is home to Searles Lake, which formed during the Ice Ages containing 98 of the 104 natural chemical elements. That is impressive. Collectors still do come from all over to gather and see some of the great minerals found in Searles Lake, such as Hanksite, Halite, Pink Halite. They even have festival during the sponsored by the Searles Lake Gem and Mineral Society, which only happens one time per year.
Yet, it has its down side. It is a sleepy little town that once hustles and bustled. Now the highway is dotted with abandon gas stations and mini marts. So many other buildings along the way are abandon and derelict along the highway. It’s view to me, is not all that pleasant since it seems the whole town faces the vast white mineral valley. The smell is not all pleasant too. |
|  | Trona Searless Plant It is also home to Trona Pinnacles National Natural Landmark, which consists of more then 500 tufa spires. This site has been in many movies and commercials because of its prehistoric mystical appeal. Star Trek 5, Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes, and Disney's Dinosaur. It is a fascinating site to see and explore. If you enjoy hiking and the outdoors, you'll like this place. |
How befitting, Twenty Mule Team Mural!! Yet, it is a town that has life still that consists of people going every day to work at the plant who are American families making a life for themselves and a town that still boast homes, churches, little markets, and schools. I do know individuals who have lived here and perfectly understand what their community is experiencing. They respect for what it is and will "Persevere and keep Faith!" and are willing to keep their family community alive. | | | It honors those beast of burden! |
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> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "It has some wonderful historical sites to visit." | | Cons: | "It's can be cold, hot and a little depressing." | | In A Nutshell: | "Depressing, but don't dismay. There is life here:-)" |
Yaqui's Trona Travel Tips
 Comments for Yaqui about Trona | | | | |
nicolaitan Sat May 2, 2009 01:48 UTC
great picture of the loo and the pinnacles - all shades of beige and brown. different, nice image. very interesting reading. | toonsarah Thu Apr 30, 2009 18:24 UTC
I love to stop in these little out of the way places myself so quite understand why you were compelled to. And the Pinnacles look amazing! | mikelisaanna Mon Dec 8, 2008 04:53 UTC
Trona is definitely a unique place. We passed through it on the way back from Death Valley a few years ago. We loved the empty spaces of the Panamint Valley road from DV to Trona. Your page definitely brings back some memories. | Maria250 Thu Jun 26, 2008 20:39 UTC
Trona Mural looks amazing! Thank you so much for stopping by, I always love & appreciate to "see" you! |
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