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the Degree Confluence Project
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United States : California

30.6 miles (49.2 km) NE of Desert Center, Riverside, CA, USA
Approx. altitude: 368 m (1207 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 34°S 65°E

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View North #3: View East #4: View South #5: View West #6: All zeros! #7: A wooden post, about 200 feet from the true confluence point #8: Some Spring flowers, near the confluence point #9: Flowing water in the aqueduct, about 5 miles North of the confluence point

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  34°N 115°W (visit #7)  

#1: The confluence point - in rocky desert terrain - is marked by a small rock cairn left by previous visitors

(visited by Ross Finlayson)

13-Apr-2010 -- I had first attempted this confluence in 1999, but made the mistake then of approaching it from the East, starting from the Blythe-Rice road. Unfortunately I found that that approach would have required an excessively long hike, so I gave up.

For the more than 10 years since, this failure has been gnawing at me, and I was determined to make amends. Fortunately, in the intervening years the invention of Google Earth - plus reports from successful visitors - made it clear that the best way to approach this confluence point is from the north.

From CA highway 62, I took the dirt road at [34.095653,-115.039037], and headed Southwards towards the confluence point. Just past an aqueduct - 5 miles from the confluence point - the road narrows and gets very sandy. My 4WD vehicle might have been able to make it the rest of the way, but I was still freaked out from getting stuck in the middle of nowhere at [40,-116] a year ago.

Also, starting about a mile South of the aqueduct the road enters a Wilderness area that is - by law - closed to motor vehicles. If I had gotten stuck there and needed to be pulled out, I could be facing a hefty fine.

So, I drove up and parked behind the Wilderness area sign, and hiked the rest of the way: About 4 miles each way. Fortunately, it was a mild Spring day, with temperatures in the mid-60s Fahrenheit; perfect for hiking.

Most of the hike was over flat, sandy terrain. However, near the confluence point, the terrain changed slightly, becoming rocky and gently sloping. A rock cairn (grr!) markes the confluence point. There's also a wooden post in the ground nearby (about 200 feet from the WGS84 confluence point).


 All pictures
#1: The confluence point - in rocky desert terrain - is marked by a small rock cairn left by previous visitors
#2: View North
#3: View East
#4: View South
#5: View West
#6: All zeros!
#7: A wooden post, about 200 feet from the true confluence point
#8: Some Spring flowers, near the confluence point
#9: Flowing water in the aqueduct, about 5 miles North of the confluence point
ALL: All pictures on one page