| Afton Canyon, California - 'In Search
of the Desert Megaphone' GPS: N35° 03' 09" W116° 22' 54" (WGS 84) December 23, 2000 |
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| Afton Canyon has many sheer walls that tower above the Mojave River. Several trails of varying lengths take you past these cliffs and past many narrow canyons in the cliff walls formed by erosion. There is always water in Afton Canyon, and it is one of a few places along the Mojave River where there is year-round surface flow. To travel to Afton Canyon from Las Vegas, travel South on I-15 for 107 miles (1 hour, 50 minutes) to I-15 Exit 228 on Basin Rd. Then follow the signs and travel South on Basin Rd for about 4 miles (10 minutes) to the Afton Canyon Scenic Area. | |
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Map Point 1: Our adventure begins at the Afton Canyon Scenic Area operated by the BLM to search for the Desert Megaphone. Our plan is to follow the Mojave River to the East several miles and then out of Afton Canyon into the open desert and then to Crucero. Then from Crucero we will find an old abandoned rail spur then follow it for several more miles to the Desert Megaphone. |
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Heading East, we crossed the Mojave River several times. Ed is seen here crossing the river not far from our beginning point. |
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Here I am crossing the Mojave River. Notice my legs on the fenders, I unknowingly crossed at the deepest part where the water came above my floor boards. |
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Here Ed is at another river crossing. Their are several bridges built for the railroad to cross the river in the canyon. |
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Map Point 2: Ed is traveling down ahead of me in the meandering Mojave River towards the East. During the spring the river flow is greater. The railroad tracks are just on the left behind the brush. |
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Along the South side of the Mojave River you can see many deep cuts into the sides of the cliffs caused by erosion. |
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Map Point 3: We found a narrow canyon we had to investigate. The canyon walls are made of loose conglomerate rock which creates many narrow canyons in the area. You can't tell in the picture, but both of ATVs are at the back. |
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A view looking up from the bottom of the canyon. The walls are about 120 feet high. |
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