Death & the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is a shallow, saline, endorheic rift lake located directly on the San Andreas Fault, predominantly in California's Imperial Valley. The lake occupies the lowest elevations of the Salton Sink in the Colorado Desert of Imperial and Riverside counties in Southern California. Like Death Valley, it is below sea level.

The Sea was created by a flood in 1905, in which water from the Colorado River flowed into the area. While it varies in dimensions and area with fluctuations in agricultural runoff and rainfall, the Salton Sea averages 15 mi (24 km) by 35 mi (56 km). With an average area of roughly 525 sq mi (1,360 km2), the Salton Sea is the largest lake in California. Average annual inflow is 1,360,000 acre·ft (1.68 km3), which is enough to maintain a maximum depth of 52 ft.

We will meet early at the STARBUCKS IN MECCA and caravan from our meeting location and will travel to several locations to explore and photograph. To save on gas and confusion we will be carpooling and not traveling alone. Maps with our estimated shooting locations will be provided at the carpool location, but we will likely do some exploring along the way. The Salton Sea is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from LA.

We will stop for lunch, or you can bring your own if you like. Please bring water and sun screen. We will be out the whole day and our last stop will be for a sunset shot, so you won't get back to LA until long after dark.

Lighting conditions are harsh out here except in the early morning or evening. If you are able to drive, please note how many passengers you can take in your car. Passengers will be expected to share gas costs. Cell phones don't always work out here. Join us for a fun day of exploring!

Bring Water

Cameras

Charged Batteries

Hat & Sunscreen

Hiking Boots

Snacks

MEETING SPOT 8:00am, leaving parking lot 8:30am
Starbucks
Seattle-based coffeehouse chain known for its Signature Burnt
High Calorie Coffee Roasts, light bites, Restrooms & WiFi availability.
760-396-9308
[90496 66th Ave, Mecca, CA 92254](90496 66th Ave, Mecca, CA 92254)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6NkHoQeK7kSvxT8p9

FIRST STOP
Lorenzo's Gas Station & Mini Mart
[12 Monterey Ave, Thermal, CA 92274](12 Monterey Ave, Thermal, CA 92274)
[CX24+V8 Thermal, California](CX24+V8 Thermal, California)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EMeUvRfgbQjGwHvx6
We'll shoot independently in this neighborhood
for an hour, regroup at this Mini Mart for a winning Lotto
Scratcher & head back up & East to Bombay Beach....

BOMBAY BEACH
[33.348851, -115.729618](33.348851, -115.729618)
[2151-2141 5th St, Niland, CA 92257](2151-2141 5th St, Niland, CA 92257)
Park at the Intersection of 5th & Avenue E
We'll be here for at least 3 hours
Interesting Sculptures at
BBAC Center Bombay Beach Arts & Culture Center
[2159 2nd St, Niland, CA 92257](2159 2nd St, Niland, CA 92257)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v7Qo3VQWhPfZmDEA8

LUNCH:
BUCKSHOT DELI & DINER
760-359-0595
[8120 CA-111, Niland, CA 92257](8120 CA-111, Niland, CA 92257)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nZ5ML4cay6mZa2jt6
Slim Pickings in this region, might be the finest
establishment around!!!
https://places.singleplatform.com/buckshot-deli-and-diner/menu?ref=google#menu_1810082

SALVATION MOUNTAIN
[Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257 ](Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257 )
[7G3G+HP Niland, California](7G3G+HP Niland, California)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pD6HJktEGtCjTeRZ9
http://www.salvationmountaininc.org/
At least an hour of exploring here... Offbeat roadside
attraction featuring an adobe mound covered in colorful
religious folk art.

SLAB CITY WELCOME SIGN & MAP
Further up the Road from Salvation Mt:
[698 Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257](698 Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257)
[7G5M+WH Niland, California](7G5M+WH Niland, California)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rtz1o21612S6FPmj8
One hour here... Take a casual glance at Slab City, California and all you’ll see is a dusty, junk yard full of hippies and drop outs. But look deeper and you’ll also find a diverse community of artists, homesteaders and retirees living off the grid, on the cheap, and absolutely on their own terms. Think Skid Row in the Desert.

So this is a "Preliminary Shoot List". For those who have been dozens of times, please contact me here and I'll add any interesting colorful locals to our stops...
Thanks!
Salvador