Eastern Mojave Vegetation Afton Road, Central Mojave Desert, California  
 

Tom Schweich  

Home Page  (No Preface)

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  200004290020;   23 Apr 2010;   23 Apr 2010;
Full Size ImageField trip stop on the shore of Lake Manix
Full Size ImageField Trip Stop on the shores of Lake Manix  

Full Size Image
Buwalda Ridge from Afton Road
 

Other articles:
• Arrowhead Trail:   at Afton Cyn Rd;  

Junction: Arrowhead Trail

Other articles:
• Interstate 15:   at Afton Cyn Rd;  

Junction: U. S. Interstate 15

Other articles:
• Dunn Road:   at Afton Cyn Rd;  

Junction: Dunn Road, to Dunn, and Field Trip Stop Q-4.

Other articles:
• Power Line Road:   at Afton Cyn Rd;  

Junction: Power Line, turn east for Field Trip Stop 2017-2-2, Cave Mountain Fault.
  Afton Canyon Campground

Literature Cited:
- Reynolds, Robert E., and Jennifer Reynolds, 2000.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  200004290020;

Locations: Afton Canyon.  

Full Size Image
Field trip stop in Afton Canyon
Mojave River Crossing

The Mojave River passes beneath the trestle and then travels south around the large bedrock ridge that blocks its path to the east and makes the Mojave River form a giant meander. Looking east, the railroad tracks pass through a large V-shaped gap in the bedrock obstruction. Prior to 1957 the tracks passed through the ridge in a tunnel. But deteriorating tunnel timbers and repeated rock slides caused largely by aftershocks from the 1947 Manix earthquake caused the Union Pacific railroad to daylight the tunnel (Reynolds and Reynolds, 2000).

Literature Cited:
- Reynolds, Robert E., and Jennifer Reynolds, 2000.

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  200004290020;
Full Size Image"Norms Nook," a slot canyon tributary to Afton Canyon  

Norm's Nook

This slot canyon shows the rapid incision that has occurred since Afton Canyon formed. This tributary has incised in response to the rapidly lowered base level of Afton Canyon. Vertical incision occurred first, and the meandering of the stream from side to side is responsible for the overhangs. When the stream reaches a reasonable longitudinal gradient, a significant widening of the channel develops. Eventually the overhangs break off and the channel walls become vertical (Reynolds & Reynolds, 2000).

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  October 1987;  200004290020;
Full Size ImageUnion Pacific trestle over the Mojave River
Full Size ImageUnion Pacific trestle over the Mojave River.  

Trestle

Other articles:
• Field Notes:  October 1987;
Full Size ImageUnnamed hill in the lower part of Afton Canyon.  

 

Other articles:
• Basin Road:   at Baxter;
• Union Pacific Maintenance Road:   near Baxter;  

Junction:
  • Basin Road, crosses to the north side of the railroad and then continues northeast to US Interstate 15.
  • Union Pacific maintenance road, along the south side of the railroad.
If you have a question or a comment you may write to me at: tomas@schweich.com I sometimes post interesting questions in my FAQ, but I never disclose your full name or address.  


[Home Page] [Site Map]

Date and time this article was prepared: 9/22/2024 4:36:10 PM