Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park Los Angeles County - 2021

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park

Geology - Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park covers 932 acres and is located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains in northern Los Angeles County, California. It is known for its rock formations which were formed by rapid erosion during uplift about 25 million years ago, and then later exposed by uplift activity along the San Andreas Fault.

Indigenous Peoples - The Tataviam people were living here when the Spanish arrived and still live in the region, with a modern tribal government. Their language was most likely a Takic Uto-Aztecan language. They lived in grass huts within villages. With the coming of the Spanish missions, some of these people were forced to work there. They eventually began speaking Spanish and inter-marrying with other tribes.

The Name - In 1874, Tiburcio Vásquez, one of California's most notorious Mexican bandidos, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature.

Recent History - Vasquez Rocks was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 because of its significance as a prehistoric site for the Shoshone and Tataviam peoples. The Rocks may look familiar. They have been and remain a favorite location for film and television productions.

Vasquez Rocks Park is located just outside the city of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County. Among Southern Californians, it's a popular recreational area for picnics, hiking and exploring the rock formations. And, of course, it is well known and very popular with amateur and professional photographers.

L. Carl Volpe - carl.volpe@gmail.com

Images from my other photo adventures may be found at the link below