Just as the sun is rising and for a little while after, the sun reveals textures at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area that can’t be seen at any other time. This past Saturday morning, I took a quick trip out to get some sunrise photos and found myself lost on the rocks instead.

The geology of Agua Dulce is kind of unique. “The rock underlying this valley floor is mostly Oligocene Vasquez Formation. The Sierra Pelona Mountains to the north are made of Precambrian Pelona Schist. These mountains are a part of the Transverse Ranges as they generally run west to east. Vasquez Rocks are also composed of the Vasquez Formation and the shape is due to differential erosion of parts of the formation.” So, here’s to differential erosion.

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