header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Take a Hike | Commentary by Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel
| Sunday, Mar 22, 2015

DianneErskineHellrigelThe Carrizo Plain National Monument was created in 2001 by President Bill Clinton. Carrizo Plain is about 100 miles north of Los Angeles near the oil-rich towns of Taft and Maricopa. In the Spring, there is usually an amazing assortment of flowers, and the entire plain is covered in all directions with colorful blooms. The more rain we see, the greater profusion of blossoms. The average rainfall in the Carrizo Plain is 9 inches.

In addition to a diverse mass of flowers, you can also find much wildlife, including 13 endangered species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, the San Joaquin antelope squirrel, the California condor, the giant kangaroo rat, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, the lesser sandhill crane and the greater sandhill crane. You might also see tule elk, pronghorn antelope, coyotes, and jackrabbits during your visit.

Carrizo2The San Andreas Fault passes through this area, and you can amaze your friends by standing in the fault itself and documenting the great event with photos. The San Andreas Fault has moved mountains and carved valleys through here, and in some cases, especially along the Wallace Creek Trail, you can match up the areas of movement.

The scenery is spectacular, as well. The plain is surrounded by mountains on both sides. There are basically two roads that go from south to north skirting these mountains, so you can make a loop in one long day and see everything Carrizo Plain has to offer.

The mountains to the northeast are in the Temblor Range. The mountains to the southwest are in the Caliente Range. Things to see along the way include the Soda Lake Overlook, the raised pathway along the shore of Soda Lake, the visitors center, Painted Rock, the San Andreas Fault, Wallace Creek Trail and, of course, billions of flowers.

IMG_0345Soda Lake is an alkaline lake and is in the center of the plain. The visitors center is like a small museum and the place to go for information. Painted rock is filled with Chumash and Yokuts rock art. The plain itself is the largest single remaining native glass land in California. Wallace Creek is the best spot to go to see impressive movement and surface fractures of the San Andreas Fault.

The Traver Ranch is another interesting place to visit at the south end of Carrizo Plain. This area of about 800 acres was used primarily to grow barley and wheat. Many of the farming tools used there are still on display on the location. The Traver farmhouse currently houses pallid bats and western small-footed bats. A total of seven species of bats live on the Carrizo Plain.

IMG_0391Visitors are not allowed to enter into the Traver Ranch House area due to the fragile nature of the bat habitat inside. When I visited, there was evidence of vandalism; a window had been broken out of the ranch house. The farming equipment is accessible, however, and worth the short walk to see them all.

Do you like to camp? There are two semi-primitive campgrounds: KCL and Selby Campground. KCL offers fire pits, tables, pit toilets and corrals for horses. Selby is much more primitive but does offer tables with shade structures, as well as an outhouse.

The best time to go is in the Spring. Spring is when the flowers are in full bloom. Summer and fall are nice times to take an out-of-the-way drive through the plain. I would not advise a winter trip because many portions of the main road and all of the smaller roads are dirt and are often closed and impassable when wet.

For a map of the Carrizo Plain, click [here].

California monuments include: California Coastal National Monument, Carrizo Plain National Monument, Fort Ord National Monument, Santa Rosa and Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Visit them all. They all have something unique and wonderful to offer.

 

 

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel is executive director of the Community Hiking Club and president of the Santa Clara River Watershed Conservancy. If you’d like to be part of the solution, join the Community Hiking Club’s Stewardship Committee. Contact Dianne through communityhikingclub.org or at zuliebear@aol.com.

 

carrizomapIMG_0436 IMG_0355 IMG_0349 IMG_0319 Carrizo Plain, CaliforniaAerial-SanAndreas-CarrizoPlain Tidy Tips and Poppies

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

13 Comments

  1. Kevin Schafer says:

    Dianne, thanks for helping people learn about the Carrizo Plain. It’s a very special – and important- place. In fact that’s why I’m sorry you didn’t even mention the catastrophe that’s taking place there now. After four years of profound drought , wildlife populations have crashed, with kit foxes down 90+% sine 2011. I’ve just been there – and it is like a wildlife ghost town.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
SCVNews.com