Trona Pinnacles
The Trona Pinnacles are a strange and alien landscape of giant tufa formations stretching skyward. Strange enough, to serve as the “Planet of the Apes” in the 2001 remake of the movie.
The calcium carbonate tufa rocks are similar to those you can find in Mono Lake, only much larger. When you are standing in the punishing heat of this desert, it is hard to imagine that this area was under water many centuries ago.
Owing to their bizarre nature, the Pinnacles provide a wonderful opportunity for photography. The remote location makes it a good place for those who seek solitude.
How to get there
Car at the Trona Pinnacles
The dirt road to the pinnacles starts at Highway 178 at GPS marker: 35°40’53.64″N 117°23’28.83″W. You can drive the 5-mile long dirt road with a passenger car during dry weather. A few years ago, when I first came here in a Mitsubishi Eclipse, there was a large rut at the end. During my last visit, the road was far smoother and even a primitive restroom is now available at the pinnacles.
GPS position
How to photograph the Trona Pinnacles
Trona railroad tracks
After about 1.2 miles on the dirt road, you will get to a railway crossing. A good composition includes the rails, leading into the distance toward the pinnacles. Technically, you are on the railroads property and not supposed to walk on the tracks, but as you can legally cross the track on foot, nobody can prevent you from taking a photo while doing so. Use a medium telephoto lens to bring the distant pinnacles closer to the track. The focal length of the image above is 90mm and I used a Canon 7D.
Take your time at the pinnacles. Wear a hat when you walk around and take water with you, even for short distances. It can get very hot, but it is also worth it to explore the area and take a short walk to a higher elevation vantage point. Look for interesting rock formations in the foreground that either mimic or complement the background rocks, that help you frame a shot, or that simply draw the viewer into the picture.
Trona Pinnacles Tunnel View
Drive around to get a better sense of this place. Change your vantage point. Walk up to the base of a giant tufa or crouch down and shoot the spires from below.
Always frame horizontal and vertical shots. Sometimes the results can surprise you.
Best Time of the Day and Best Season
Clearly, sunrise or sunset is best to bring out color and texture in the rocks. Unfortunately, the location of the pinnacles makes this hard, unless you stay in Ridgecrest, which you shouldn’t.Avoid the summer, which is gruelingly hot at the Pinnacles. Temperatures can reach up to 120 degrees F (49 degrees C).
Time required
The drive takes about 30 minutes each way from Highway 178. Two hours are sufficient for photography.
Equipment
- CP filter for your lens
- Zoom Lens
- Tripod and Cable release
- Flashlight (light painting the pinnacles)
- Headlamp (keep your hands free)
- Water, Water, Water
- Polarized Sunglasses (great to gauge the effect of a CP filter)
Fees
There is no entrance fee to visit the Pinnacles.
Close Locations
- Ballarat Ghost Town
- Red Rock Canyon State Park
- Randsburg Ghost Town
- Silver City Ghost Town
- Fossil Falls
- Darwin
- Darwin Falls
- Aguereberry Point
- Father Crowley Viewpoint
- Saline Valley
- Harrisburg Ghost Town
- Skidoo Ghost Town
- Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
- Calico Ghost Town
- Kelso Dunes
Useful Resources
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3 Comments
I must admit that I’m jealous about you, you visit the most wonderful places in the world. The jealousy is a healthy form though
I like deserts a lot, the roughness, the energy that flows there and the impressive silence. It has to be so pure to travel with your 4×4 and experience nature in it’s purest way. Have fun dear friend!
(I recommend you to visit Chile one day, I’ve been there 5 times and it amazes me every time, also the changing landscapes from deserts in the North to Norwegian Fjörds in the South of Chile). Let me know when you go to give you some information).
This place looks as dry as Kuwait… Love the shots, especially the train track.
Funny you should mention that. Chile is on my short list of countries to visit. I will let you know.
Actually in winter the place can turn into a mudhole. I forgot to mention that, but you shouldn’t travel here when it rains.
Kuwait wins as the driest place