Chasing Light in the Mojave Lava Tubes

Deep in the Mojave Desert lies one of the region’s most unique and photogenic locations—the Mojave Lava Tubes. These volcanic tunnels offer a completely different landscape from the sandstone most of us are used to, with dark basalt walls, textured ceilings, and a rare chance to witness something truly special: beams of light cutting through the darkness.

While not guaranteed, under the right conditions sunlight can stream through openings above (~11:30am to 1:00pm), creating dramatic light rays inside the tubes. We’ll explore the area, photograph the unique geology, and—if luck is on our side—capture one of the most striking lighting effects in the desert.

MEETUP INFO:
We will meet at 9:30am at the The World's Tallest Thermometer in Baker, CA (I will be there early in a blue Subaru). This meetup location is around a 1.5 hour drive from Las Vegas, so please plan accordingly to arrive on time.

From there, we will drive as a group to the Mojave Lava Tubes (~45min - ETA to trailhead of 10:30am). The road is passable for AWD/4WD Vehicles (expect washboards, some sand, occasional ruts).

MEETUP FEES:
There are no fees to enter the Mojave region.
There are no additional Meetup fees for this event.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
This event requires a short ~0.3 mile walk to the lava tubes. Getting down involves a metal staircase. Once inside the Lava Tube, you will be going over sharp rocky terrain and a slight crawl to get into the main chamber.

The Mojave is very hot in June, so be prepared with sun protection (sunscreen and a hat) and plenty of water.

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