This was my day hike to the stunning “Mormon Rocks”, a trip that must be perfectly timed around the area’s extreme winds, cloud overcast, and traffic of the Cajon Pass. These rock formations are a striking group of pink sandstone and conglomerate outcrops thrusted-up in steep angles called “hogbacks”. The rocks received their name in 1851 when a wagon train of Mormon Pioneers camped nearby during their journey from Salt Lake City to California, where they later founded the City of San Bernardino. Geologist have dated these rocks to be Miocene-aged (18-20 million years) and were deposited in layers of sediment called alluvial fans that flanked nearby mountains. These rocks were later stressed by the neighboring San Andreas Fault into a series of steep-angled outcrops and folds. The large sandstone formations also contain numerous small holes and caves that make ideal homes for hawks and owls. Later that day I also hiked in nearby Lone Pine Canyon to study the San Andreas Fault rift zone. Other than the colder weather, I had clear skies, minimal wind, and a wonderful experience. You can see all my adventures (40-plus videos) by subscribing to my RU-vid account at: / @joseph_wright .
Always happy trails, Joe
12 сен 2024
