The 26th Annual SDSU Geology Alumni Field Trip/Campout will be in the Barstow area this year. A hike up Owl Canyon from the campground on Saturday morning to see the local stratigraphy (about 9:30 ish) and a drive/walk through Rainbow Basin geology in the afternoon will be the day’s focus. Sunday will be an option to explore Calico Ghost Town, about 15 miles away and/or if you are into Archeology, the Calico Early Man Site is about 25 miles away. Or there is the possibly of doing a “Geocaching” exercise or some 4-W drive trails above Calico for those so inclined.
We will be camping in the Owl Canyon BLM Campground with limited water, pit toilets and BBQ grills & fire rings in each site but no trailer hook-ups. There are also swing sets for the kids! There should be someone in the campground from Friday afternoon thru Monday morning depending on the weather forecast. Temperatures will probably be between 52 and 77 with a constant breeze according to the locals…. Campground fees are $6.00 per site per night with at least 2 vehicles per site, and $3.00 per site with the Golden Age Passport or Senior Pass so we will be able to get somewhat of a break on price by sharing sites among our Alumni friends. Rainbow Basin is a desert environment so bring sufficient water, food, clothing, equipment, first aid supplies, firewood and refreshments for your activities.
DIRCTIONS to the Owl Canyon Campground: GPS Coordinates (35.021429 Lat. 117.021751 Long). From the Slauson Cut-Off take any freeway to the I-15 northbound thru the Cajon Pass to Barstow. From the intersection of Barstow Rd. and I-15 go northbound on I-15 about 5 miles to Ft. Irwin Rd. exit. At stop sign turn left (north) and go about 7 miles until you reach “Irwin Rd.” on left. There will be a yellow sign indicating T-intersection to left. Turn left onto “Irwin Rd.” and go about 4.2 miles to ” Fossil Bed Rd.” and make a right turn onto Fossil Bed Rd., a bumpy gravel road. Continue another 3 miles to turnoff to “Owl Canyon Campground” on right. Don’t miss turn to Campground or you will accidently be forced to drive thru Rainbow Basin which is a “One Way” road and you will have to make a big loop to return to campground. Look for SDSU Geology signs somewhere in Campground. No reservations can be made, sites are taken on a “First Come First Get” basis so if you think you will be coming out and want to be sure of having a space let me know and I will see what I can do when I get there Friday.
COMMUNICATIONS: FRS Radios channel 4, no tones, just ask for the SDSU Geology Group. Remember that FRS Radios have limited range…. Amateur Radios use Barstow Repeater, 147.180 + pl = 151.4 or, 2-M Simplex 146.520 as you get close. Sorry Jerry no CB this time. I did not check phone service while I was there so what you get may be nothing!
FUEL/SERVICES/SUPPLIES: There are stores and fuel in Victorville and Barstow. The “Lenwood” exit about 5 miles south of Barstow has Outlet Malls and fuel, fast food, etc. If you can’t find what you need there, and have missed Victorville, then you will have to stop in downtown Barstow.
If any or our Alumni are interested in becoming involved with any of our Alumni Activities, like to assist with future Field Trips or has a “Special Place” in mind that would be good for a future Field Trip please let me know. If you have any questions regarding this trip, email or call me. Joe Corones, Alumni Field Trip Chairman. jcorones@gmail.com , H 858.484.3582, C 858.603.5545
SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
sponsored by
SDSU GEOLOGY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
(aka "FRIENDS OF THE DEPARTMENT)
to join our alumni listserv and
receive alumni emails
To help plan the upcoming field trip, email the alumni at: sdsugeoalum@att.net
