Rainbow Basin |

Barstow

Hiking Rainbow Basin - BarstowRoadside Attraction Rainbow Basin - Barstow Rainbow Basin

Barstow

Overview

RATING: Roadside Attraction / Easy Hike
MAPS: MUD HILLS, CA

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 7 to 13 mph.

73 | 50

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

73 | 50

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 73.

73 | 49

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

65 | 50

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

58 | 44

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in summers.
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None.

Wed

Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 7 to 13 mph.

73 | 50

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

73 | 50

Fri

Sunny, with a high near 73.

73 | 49

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

65 | 50

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.

58 | 44

View Full Weather Details
Colorful hills in the heart of Rainbow Basin

Colorful hills in the heart of Rainbow Basin

Rainbow Basin is a colorful, twisting basin of rock formations and dirt hills. The area is so unique it has been designated a National Natural Landmark. The geology of the area is interesting, but the basin is also well known for its large fossil beds from the Miocene era (12 to 16 million years ago). We visited while passing through the area hoping for a nice scenic drive. The drive is lovely but hiking in the basin turned out to be the highlight for us. The softer layers of rock erode quickly, making dramatic walls and sinuous canyons. From the parking area, it would be easy to wander for a few hours among the various side canyons and drainages. We spent a couple of hours visiting several side canyons, including one with a natural tunnel snaking its way through a soft layer.

Driving Note: Because of the narrow winding road, the basin is a one-way 5-mile scenic drive. On our visit, the road would be easily accessible to most carefully driven vehicles, but I would not recommend it for very low clearance vehicles. Trailers are prohibited because of several very tight spots. No camping is allowed in the basin, but Owl Canyon Campground is nearby and offers excellent camping.
Sandstone spine in Rainbow Basin

Sandstone spine in Rainbow Basin

Getting There

From Main Street in Barstow California, go north on 1st Ave. The road crosses above railroad tracks, then bends east before quickly turning north. Just after it turns north, go left on Irwin Road. Follow Irwin Road for 6.0 miles as it heads north out of Barstow. At 6.0 miles, turn left off the paved Irwin Road onto the signed, graded dirt road to Owl Canyon Campground.

2.9 miles down the dirt road, turn right toward Owl Canyon Campground. At 3.2 miles, is a junction. Right goes to Owl Canyon Campground. Straight is the start of the One Way scenic drive through Rainbow Basin.

The parking area in Rainbow Basin

The parking area in Rainbow Basin

Route

The scenic drive enters the grey hills and heads north before turning west in the heart of the basin. About 1.6 miles into the loop from the start of the One Way, there is a large pullout on the right. The parking area is the best spot to start wandering the basin from and has several social trails leaving it.

Hiking
We headed north in the main wash and found the third side of this main wash on the left to be our favorite (shown on the map). The bottom end of this canyon has steep dirt walls. Just when it appears the canyon is going to end at a very steep dirt slope, a natural tunnel presents itself and provides a 2-stage passage through the dirt hills. Not far beyond the end of the tunnel, an impassable dryfall is reached.

Back in the main wash, following it up to its end is another impassable dryfall where the layers change and we thought it was a lovely colorful section to visit.

Scenic Drive
From the trailhead, the scenic drive continues through the basin, before exiting through a tight cut and wash. The road heads south and reaches a major junction. Go left here to circle back to the road you drove in on.


Videos

Visting Rainbow Basin ryancornia

Maps

Route / 1.14 miles / Elevation Range 2,920 - 3,058 ft.
Printable Maps:
Start of One Way

11S 496498mE 3874453mN

N35° 00' 46" W117° 02' 18"

Trailhead

11S 496913mE 3876494mN

N35° 01' 52" W117° 02' 02"

Cave

11S 497113mE 3876980mN

N35° 02' 08" W117° 01' 54"

Cave Side Canyon

11S 497100mE 3876888mN

N35° 02' 05" W117° 01' 54"

Dryfall

11S 497254mE 3877029mN

N35° 02' 09" W117° 01' 48"

End One Way

11S 495394mE 3874577mN

N35° 00' 50" W117° 03' 02"

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