Exploring Vasquez Rocks!
Details
It's time for a field trip to an alien world!
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Embrace your inner geek as we as we travel to the mysterious land called "Agua Dulce", wherein lies Vasquez Rocks. The land of a hundred alien worlds, movie scenes, and banditos!
This 932-acre park located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs and features spectacular rock formations, Tataviam Indian sites, and a seasonal stream. The rocks’ history began in prehistoric times when the sandstone rocks were uplifted at a picturesque angle, showing their jagged red features. In 1874 Tiburcio Vasquez, one of California’s most notorious bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature.
The park is a popular hiking, picnicking, and equestrian area. Vasquez has been a popular filming location used as the setting for scenes in many movies, television shows and commercials. Among the many films and television show to feature Vasquez Rocks are the “The Lone Ranger”, “Zorro”, “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Bonanza”, “Blazing Saddles”, “Star Trek” (almost all of them), “24”, “The Six Million Dollar Man”, “MacGyver”, “Austin Powers”, "Numbers" and “The Flintstones”.
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The hike runs 2-2.5 hours and about 4-6 miles. It's not a very hard hike but you will get some exercise. Bring water, a long sleeve shirt, and hat for shade if you sunburn easily. Optional accessories include sunscreen, camera, munchies, etc. And dogs are welcome! Afterwards, those of you that are hungry can dine at the Sweetwater Cafe in Agua Dulce. Or, you can pack yourself a picnic lunch and dine amongst the rocks. :-)
Vasquez Rocks is about 45 minutes North of LA, so we are going to meet at our usual spot at Merry-Go-Round lot #2 in Griffith Park and carpool/caravan up there in order to save on gas and not take a gazillion cars up there.
However, those of you who do not wish to carpool, or are closer to Vasquez Rocks than Griffith Park, can meet us there. The hike will start at 10AM from the end of the dirt road where the outhouses are. :-)
Park in Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round lot #2 and we'll meet on the south end. We will begin meeting at 8:30 and try to put carpools together for those that haven't already made arrangements ahead of time. (which I would higly recommend) We will depart Griffith Park for Vasquez Rocks at 9AM SHARP. Sorry, but it'll be too hectic to wait for stragglers this time. And there's no traffic on Saturday morning. :-)
Please note: We will likely not get back to Griffith Park until 2 or 3PM at the earliest, so please plan your day accordingly.
For those of you meeting at Griffith Park to carpool, here's a Google Maps link to lot #1 that you can get directions from:
Just drive through lot #1 and down the road a little ways and you'll be in lot #2.
For those of you going straight to Vasquez Rocks, here's a Google Maps link you can get directions from:
I'll send my cell number to those coming the night before the hike, so if you can't find us you can call me and I can taunt you on how directionally challenged you are. :-)
See ya there!
Exploring Vasquez Rocks!