Carrizo Plain National Monument

October 10, 2023

This is another BLM run monument that does not have good roads, facilities or signs. Miles and miles of dirt roads broken up by the numerous cattle guard crossings. At least there were several hawks and crows lining the road. Soda Lake is probably the most popular spot and my first short hike. The giant lake is dry most of the year which is the best time visit as it forms a white mineral layer over thick black mud. I walked out onto the dry lake and squished into the darker stuff. The second hike took me to the backside of the lake to Wallace Creek. This creek flows (when it actually has water) along the San Andreas fault. Earthquakes and the movement of the plates have shifted this creek path dramatically. I went down to the creek and was standing on the North American plate and Pacific plate at the same time.