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The narrow road on the right is the turn off to Camp Rock
Spring from Cedar Canyon Road, which is the larger road on the left.
The vehicle is heading east. If you are heading west on Cedar Canyon,
a tight 135° left turn would be required. |
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After a stormy season, the road to the parking area is often
washed out. Sometimes there is an alternative road close by which can
be used as a detour. |
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Looking west at the two interpretive signs at the Camp Rock
Spring parking area. Rock Spring is in the background. |
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One of the two interpretive signs. |
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The other interpretive sign found a the parking area. |
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Panorama of Camp Rock Spring looking to the east. The
parking area is to the left of the canyon mouth. |
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A photograph taken in the late 1860's at Camp Rock Spring.
Photo courtesy of the N.P.S website. |
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This more modern "petroglyph" was most likely made by a
member of the 4th Infantry Regiment, California Volunteers. Records
show that there was at least one soldier named "Stuart" serving in that
regiment between 1863 and 1866. |
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The flow of water seems strong after leaving the rocks. |
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But as the water gets no more than 50 feet from the
spring, it seeps back into the desert sand. |
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The water etches many patterns or "braids" into the sand. |
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The reason there is a spring here is because of the granite.
Water cannot penetrate the solid mass of granite so it is forced to the
surface. |
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The beige-colored masonry work is evidence that someone
tried to control the waters here - possibly in the early 1900's. |
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If you look closely, there are some small
waterfalls. |
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Trees mark the center of Rock Spring. |
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Another view looking east from the spring. |
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The bright red flowers of a Mojave Mound Cactus
glisten in the sunlight next next to a Pancake-pear Cactus. |
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Numerous Pancake-pear cactus grow in the rocks here. |
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Climbing up on the rocks on the south side of the spring
will give you a good view of the area. |
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Evidence of the earlier travelers that
visited the spring. Look for these petroglyphs on your right as you
enter the canyon from the parking area. |
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Unlike the petroglyphs found at Cow Cove
that were etched by chipping away the desert varnish, these were etched
into granite. |
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Just west of Rock Spring is an area marked on the map
as Government Holes. These wells were used by the soldiers at Camp
Rock Spring as well as by farmers in nearby Lanfair Valley. It is said
that, back in the 1920's, an infamous shootout took place at this cabin.
The fight was about water and both shooters were killed. |
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The road leading to the cabin. Today, a gate stops
vehicular traffic from getting too close to the cabin but you can easily
walk the short distance. Restrooms are located
near the gate. |
