Carrizo Plain National Monument is located between Bakersfield, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA and offers a great aerial view of the San Andreas Fault (not pictured here).
Aside from that, it’s extremely hot in the summer and is a little off the beaten path so not too many people venture out to the Monument. The first thing you’ll notice is Soda Lake, a big salt patch in the middle of the plain. The other main thing to see there is Painted Rock, which is home to world-famous petroglyphs.
We walked about 1.5 miles to the rock in over 100 °F and saw thousands of Checkered White butterflies.
If I have to give you one piece of advice it would be to come during the winter and the spring seasons to enjoy cooler temperatures and see more of the beautiful wildflowers.
Great place; fine set.
A little hot but great scenery! Thanks for dropping by! 😉
Outstanding photos, especially the butterflies! And the petroglyphs are very interesting. Did you say you walked 15 miles or 1.5 miles? I couldn’t quite read it. Great job and thanks for sharing all the details!
1.5. Not that bad. 😉
Oh, whew! Truly great photos. Kudos.
Thank you! 😀