The romance of
exploring the historic Route 66, a landmark roadway from Los Angeles to
Chicago, is best achieved by understanding the route simply doesn’t exist as
one continuous stretch of highway.
Route
66 in the 21st Century is a collections of fits and starts. What remains is not easily reached by modern
Interstates.
But,
exploring what remains can be with patience and a good map a remarkable
adventure.
THE ULTIMATE PEACE AND QUIET INN—Image is by photographer Yoluke Kosaka showing Roy’s mid-century motel just before a rare rainstorm. |
One
example is Amboy Crater, just off of Route 66 in the great California desert. This
250-foot-high crater is approximately 6,000 years old and one of the best
examples in the Mojave Desert of a volcanic cinder cone. A footpath leads to
the top of the cone where you can get a good view of the surrounding area. The
hike to the Crater and back can take 2-3 hours. Late January through March are
good times to see the wildflowers. Below is photo from the 2005 wildflower
season. The area is managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management.
Designated
a National Natural Landmark in 1973, Amboy Crater was recognized for its visual
and geological significance. Although Amboy Crater is not unique, it is an
excellent example of a very symmetrical volcanic cinder cone.
The
inside of the 250' high crater contains two lava dams behind which has formed
small lava lakes. These are now flat in general appearance, covered with light
colored clay, creating the impression of miniature "dry lakes." There
is a breach on the west side of the crater where basaltic lava poured out over
a vast area.
Beyond
the crater lies 24 square miles of lava flow containing such features as lava
lakes, collapsed lava tubes and sinks, spatter cones and massive flows of
basalt.
ENROUTE TO ‘VEGAS—In the 1950s Amboy was in its heyday as one of the stops along old Highway 66 in San Bernardino County between LA and Las Vegas. |
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