Crossing the deep sands of...
Crossing the deep sands of the Mojave River flood plain.
Crossing Soda Lake is a fun experience. The hard, dry surface is something like a paved highway in places. The rest is just a thin layer of loose sand. Speeds of nearly 30 mph were achieved in a few stretches.
The actual site of Soda Springs is on private property and is not included as a stop on the Mojave Road. A nearby pile of rocks called Traveler's Monument is as close as the road gets. This monument exists due a long-standing tradition of anyone passing through to leave a single rock to mark their passing. At the center of the pile of rocks is a plaque with a top-secret phrase to be read by anyone passing that way but never repeated outside the boundaries of Soda Lake. For that reason, the Lone Riders cannot tell you what it says. You'll have to find that out on your own.
Marl Springs and Fort Mar...
Marl Springs and Fort Marl.
Soda Springs has a long history that could fill a book. For many years, it was operated as a resort under a permit for a mining claim. The BLM voided that permit, and the site became a desert studies center.
The website describes it thus: "The Desert Studies Center, field station of the California State University (CSU), provides opportunity for individuals and groups to conduct research, receive instruction, and experience the desert environment."
From Traveler's Monument, the Lone Riders finished crossing Soda Lake and entered a stretch with very deep sand dunes. It was necessary to keep the speed up and to keep moving for about a mile.