San Andreas Fault Sunset & Stargazing Jeep Tour

Rayce and I took the Sunset Andreas Fault  SunsetTour with the local tour company Desert Adventures. The 3+ hour tour was very informative and fun. If you have a chance to do it you really should. Our tour guide Carlos was part Geologist, Astronomer, Botanist, and Historian; we learned all kinds of great things about our valley and its history.
What a great and informative tour this is!  

The 3 hour tour began in the late afternoon with our fantastic guide Carlos.  He was very passionate about geology, astronomy and history so we were in for quite a tour.  Desert Adventures is the only tour group with permission to take groups onto 800 acres of private property.  The property sits on two fault lines the San Andreas and Pacific Plate; we are pictured between the two! That is how close the two fault lines are. .

Carlos was great about explaining how the mountains form from the earth movement, about different rocks, the dirt, well just about anything and everything nature has in this region.
The jeep held 8 people, including the driver; as it is open wear appropriate clothing and shoes for walking through the hills.  This area can be quite windy so be prepared to be beaten up a bit by the wind.

Carlos gave a great dialog on the history of the Cahuilla Indians and let us taste plants and berries that are indigenous of the area explaining what they were used for both medicinally and for food purposes. I especially liked the Desert Holly which was salty and used for both flavoring and as a snack.
Luck was upon us for the Star gazing portion, as the moon was a waning crescent and there was not a cloud in the sky.
The information can be a bit overwhelming so prepare yourself for 3+ hours of listening as you don't want to miss anything.  The terrain is breathtaking and well worth the trip as you will get a feel and appreciation for the desert and the Indians lived and flourished on the land. 
There are 3 tours in the cooler months and 2 during warmer weather, be sure to book in advance as they get large groups that can and do use the entire 15 jeep fleet.

RESERVATIONS: