This article, however, focuses on the hike up Owl Canyon. The trail leaves from the north end of the Owl Canyon campground, and is an out-and-back trip of about two miles each way. The trail is only vaguely marked, but simply following the arroyo drainage provides all the directions needed. A little bit of rock scrambling is required to get past some of the dry waterfalls in the slot canyon, but these present only moderate difficulty. Sturdy shoes and water are the only supplies needed.
Geology
Rainbow Basin derives its name from the multi-colored layers of the Barstow Formation of Miocene volcanic tuffs and sedimentary conglomerates, mudstones and sandstones. The Pickhandle Formation’s red tuff lies at the base and is overlain by the Barstow Formation. The conglomerates and mudstones range in color from browns and reds to grey and green. A normal fault resets the stratigraphy, with the red tuff of the Pickhandle Formation reappearing halfway up the canyon. The middle member of the Barstow Formation has been dubbed the Oreodont Formation, due to the presence of the Miocene pig-like mammals. Fossil collecting is prohibited.
The conglomerate clasts range in size from pebbles to large cobbles, and are derived from numerous sources; the shapes ranges from smooth to very angular breccias. Many of the granitic clasts and matrix are quite green, presumably from chlorite remineralization. Overlaying the conglomerate and forming the crests of the ridge-tops is the Skyline Tuff.
A few other articles have been written by others that are worth reading:
- http://www.desertusa.com/dusablog/wonderland.html
- http://www.wardjd.com/Mojave2009/Opal%20Mountain/index.htm
