Usually, when you prepare a tour of the West Coast, you tend to plan the stops and itinerary according to pre-established priorities. You may try to include cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco (and perhaps even San Diego) and the most famous national parks, such as the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite National Park, Bryce Canyon, or Sequoia National Park.
There is nothing wrong with these stops. In fact, they are simply breathtaking! However, for those planning a trip to the USA, it might be interesting to know that in America there are many more unusual and wonderful natural attractions (ones that leave you speechless), and some are virtually unknown.
It’s to these places that I dedicate today’s article, a 3-part itinerary designed to explore the most bizarre and unusual natural wonders that are not as famous. You may be able to use these tips to make a personalized and original West Coast itinerary.
Contents
Are You Ready? What Are the Stops on the Itinerary?
As I said earlier, the theme of the itinerary is based on the most bizarre and unknown natural wonders of the West Coast, so rather than featuring cities, it will be dedicated to nature and spending many miles on the road!
The 5 states included in this itinerary are California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming. The miles to be covered will be about 1,860 miles, which is feasible in 15-20 days and a total driving time of 39 hours. In total, there are 10 stops. What are you waiting for? Hit the road!
Stop 1: Racetrack Playa, the Self-propelled Stone Beach
Yes, in this dried-up lake in Death Valley, you can witness an astounding natural phenomenon, one of those events that remains unanswered by science: rocks that move by themselves!
To reach Racetrack Playa, a little-known area of Death Valley, you will need a 4×4 instead of a normal car, since the road is uneven and bumpy. If you want to reach the best viewpoint, take plenty of water with you and follow the directions provided by the National Park Service:
To see the moving rocks, drive two miles south of the Grandstand parking area. Walk at least a half mile toward the southeast corner of the playa for the best views of rocks and their tracks on the playa. […] Some of the moving rocks are large and have traveled as far as 1,500 feet.
However, if you are already trembling with excitement at the thought of seeing the rocks move in real time, I should tell you that this is not what you will see. The movement of the rocks is barely perceptible, so it can’t be noticed instantly. You will see the (incredibly straight!) tracks that the rocks leave behind and you will be in one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world!
To find out what other wonders Death Valley has in store for you and how to organize overnight stays and your time during your trip, you can read our guide to Death Valley.
Stop 2: Mono Lake, A Science Fiction Lake
From Death Valley, head north in California, along the Nevada border, and in about 5 hours by car, you will arrive at Mono Lake. It is a strange lake that, because of the unique tufa formations that emerged from the bottom after the opening of the aqueduct in Los Angeles, resembles a science fiction landscape, worthy of the most bizarre fantasies of writers and cartoonists.
The lake is immense, over 77o square miles, and is located on Highway 395, 8 miles east of Yosemite National Park, near the town of Lee Vining. The best way to visit the lake is to take a canoe or kayak tour (available only in summer), which will allow you to admire the bizarre tufa formations and you will certainly have a more spectacular view than from the mainland. There are many possible activities to do at Mono Lake. For more information about planning a visit and where to stay overnight in the area, take a look at our article on Mono Lake.
Stop 3: Fly Geyser, the Story of a Well that Became a Geyser
After visiting Mono Lake, you will be on the road for another 5 hours (add 2 more hours if you choose the area that I will recommend for the overnight stay), cross Nevada to get to Washoe County, where something even more unprecedented awaits you. The Fly Geyser is a man-made well that was transformed by nature into a real geyser. How could such a transformation take place?
When the well was built in 1964 to explore geothermal energy sources, it was probably not properly covered, or perhaps it was simply left open. In any case, the dissolved minerals began to accumulate and grow, creating today’s travertine mound, on which the geyser still discharges massive amounts of water. The particular color of the geyser is due not only to the many minerals present, but also to a species of algae.
The geyser is located on private property (Fly Geyser Ranch), but it is also visible from the road. In the past, those who wanted to see it up close had to visit Bruno’s Country Club Restaurant in Gerlach, where they would put you in touch with the owners of the ranch for a daily tour, but now the site has been opened to the public. Here are directions to see the geyser:
The geyser can be seen from State Route 34 north of the town of Gerlach. You can visit or go on a guided tour from Friday to Sunday (check the official website anyway). The tour includes a walk through a 3,800-acre portion of the property, which includes many thermal and cold water springs, three geysers, and other interesting sites. No photographs are allowed during the visit and reservations are required.
Depending on your itinerary, the best location to look for accommodations is around Lake Tahoe, a beautiful lake that is well worth a detour and is located about halfway between Fly Geyser and Mono Lake. For tips on where to stay overnight in this area and how to visit the lake, read our guide to Lake Tahoe.
This is where the first part of the itinerary ends. The upcoming stops will be in Oregon, where nature, once again, will not cease to amaze you… until next time!
Below you will find links to the next 2 parts of the itinerary:
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