Trona in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Welcome to the Trona Pinnacles

... a National Natural Landmark

Trona Pinnacles Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

1. Trona Pinnacles Marker

Inscription. Rising from the bottom of what was once an ancient lakebed, the Trona Pinnacles represent one of the most unique geologic landscapes in the California Desert. Over 500 of these tufa or calcium carbonate spires are spread out over a 14 square mile area across the Searles Lake basin. These features range in size from small coral-like boulders to several that top out at over 140 feet tall.

The Pinnacles were formed between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago when Searles Lake formed a link in a chain of interconnected lakes flowing from the Owens Valley to Death Valley. At one point during the Pleistocene, the spot where you are standing now was under 640 feet of water.

The Trona Pinnacles were designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1968 to preserve one of North America's most outstanding examples of tufa tower formation.

Erected 2000 by U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Features • Natural Resources. In addition, it is included in the National Natural Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 35° 37.007′ N, 117° 22.367′ W. Marker is in Trona, California, in San Bernardino

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County. It can be reached from California Route 178. Access to the site is from a BLM dirt road (RM143) that leaves State Highway 178, about 7.7 miles east of the intersection of State Highway 178 and the Trona-Red Mountain Road. The 5.0-mile long dirt road from State Highway 178 to the Pinnacles is usually accessible to 2-wheel drive vehicles, however, the road may be closed during the winter months after a heavy rain. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Trona CA 93562, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Mojave Desert,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Famous Trona Pinnacles (approx. 4½ miles away); Epsom Salts Monorail (approx. 4.6 miles away); John & Dennis Searles Wagon Routes (approx. 4.6 miles away); Searles Lake Borax Discovery (approx. 9.7 miles away); Old Guest House Museum (approx. 9.9 miles away); Austin Hall (approx. 9.9 miles away); Trona Unified School (approx. 10.6 miles away).

Also see . . . Trona Pinnacles. The BLM website for the Trona Pinnacles. (Submitted on December 9, 2011.)

Welcome to the Trona Pinnacles Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

2. Welcome to the Trona Pinnacles Marker

Trona Pinnacles image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

3. Trona Pinnacles

Trona Pinnacles is a relict landform from the Pleistocene containing unique formations of calcium carbonate known as "tufa".

Registered Natural Landmark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

4. Registered Natural Landmark Marker

Photographed by Michael Kindig, December 4, 2011

5. Registered Natural Landmark Marker

Trona Pinnacles has been designated a Registered Natural Landmark under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 31, 1955. This site possesses exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of the United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,299 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 6, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.