Finding the Beauty of the Calm Soda Lake Beach
Soda Lake Beach is a hidden gem located in the Central Valley of California and it is well known for its natural scenery, serenity, and fun activities. This wonderful place is located in the area of the Carrizo Plain National Monument and is ideal for those who want to have a rest from active life. Nestled in the scenic beauty, rich in flora and fauna, with a plethora of things to do, Soda Lake Beach is a perfect destination for every traveler.
Therefore, the objectives of the Natural Wonders of Soda Lake Beach are as follows:
Soda Lake Beach is situated adjacent to Soda Lake that is a big and open alkali desert temporary lake on the Carrizo Plain. This large playa or dry flat is one of the biggest that can be found in California occupying about 11,000 acres of land. More often than not the lake is virtually dry with a cover up of glistening white deposit of sodium carbonate and other soluble salts. But in the wet seasons it becomes a shallow, reflecting surface of water attracting birds, animals and other wild life.
The beach itself is desolate and absolutely stunning: the sand is white the water is clear and the background is provided by the hilly blue horizon. This makes it a serene region through which the Temblor Range to the west and the Caliente Range to the east offer an impressive frame to this region. The fact that this place has a lot of space and very little human interaction, this makes it the perfect place for anyone who wants to be close to nature in its raw form.
Flora and Fauna: A Bio Diversity Site
Soda Lake Beach is located at Carrizo Plain National Monument area of California that is also considered to be Important Bird and Biodiversity Area that supports endemic plant and animals some of them are on the endangered list. This region though is especially popular for the strips of colors it displays every spring as the native plants such as California poppies, goldfields, phacelia blossom in the plains. This natural phenomenon draws photographers, botanists, as well as tourists both from other regions of the state and other parts of the country.
To bird watchers, Soda Lake Beach will prove to be a bevy especially if you visit during the migration period. The area around the lake is essential for nesting and feeding of birds of many species like the California condor or golden eagles and hawks and falcons of several varieties. Avocets, stilts, sandpipers and other shore-birds frequent the shallows and the mud flats of the Soda Lake hence it is an ideal place for bird watching.
The area also provides for different mammals, reptilial and amphibial species. Game that one can see include pronghorn antelope, kit fox, western toad and pacific tree frog especially at the water sources. Due to the availability of varied resources and types of landscapes around Soda Lake Beach, the beach is a critical stopover for animals in the area.
In conclusion, recreational activities at Soda Lake Beach.
There are several fun activities that one can engage in while at Soda Lake Beach. The place is ideal for people who like thrill as well as for those who simply want to spend their vacation in a beautiful place.
Hiking and Nature Walks
Among the most effective means of enjoying scenic beauty of Soda Lake Beach, the many trails with many hiking potentialities are the best. The trails differ in the level of difficulty and the duration of the walk with options for both the day tripper and the serious hiker. Soda Lake Boardwalk is a simple relatively flat boardwalk that leads the tourists to traverse through the salt flat feature and there are ensuing information signs telling more about the geology and the ecology of the feature. For those seeking a more intense experience will find it in the Caliente Ridge Trail trail that blends the scenic view of all the mountains around the Carrizo Plain.
Wildlife Watching
Earlier it has been already said that Soda Lake Beach is an excellent place to spot wildlife. It also plays host to various bird and other wild life forms.Get your Camera and Binoculars and be ready for that great sighting. It is better to go bird watching in the early morning and late in the evening when most of the animals are up and moving. Please keep haul distances and noise levels to a minimum so as not to disturb the wildlife.
Photography
Because of the peculiar geographical features and a rich fauna, taking photographs at Soda Lake Beach is a cinematographer’s delight. Because of the sharp contrasts between the white of the salt flat, the blueness of the sky, as well as the colours of the flowers in the desert, there is a tremendous number of photo opportunities. Basically, any light condition makes this area photogenic, but the best time the time has to be early morning and late evening when the sky bears a natural glow.
Stargazing
Since it is not a popular location much light is not shed on the Soda Lake Beach making it an ideal place to watch a stars. Baddeck is also gifted with beautiful night skies and one can literally see thousands of stars, constellation and even the Milky Way if the night is clear. You may wish to take a telescope or just lie down on the blanket to watch the stars and the sky. due to its serenity of the area it makes the stargazing experience very special because one is likely to feel closer to the universe.
Conservation and Sustainability Efforts
Carrizo Plain National Monument including Soda Lake Beach comes under the jurisdiction of Bureau of Land Management with an objective of conservation use. The BLM’s mission is to assist in the conservation of the regions biologic, archeologic, geologic, and historic resources, and in the provision of those resources for public use and appreciation.
Soda Lake Beach residents and guests are requested to maintain the highest level of the seven Leave No Trace principles. This is to minimize the cases of littering or transferring all the trash from the area, following the established pathways only and showing respect to the animals. Thus, being responsible when choosing and using recreation sites, the visitors can significantly contribute to the preserve the stark and unique beauty of this area for generations to come.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Further, Soda Lake Beach and the Carrizo Plain is rich in facets of culture and history of the area. As one of the early settlements of Native American tribes in the continent; rock art, village sites and many other archaeological features that indicates early presence of man are evident in the area. Some of the inhabitants, the Chumash and Yokuts tribes, were using the area and its facilities, therefore, they left an impressive cultural heritage.
It also has a more modern history related to the use of the land for ranching and farming which also put its mark on the geographic face of the plain. There are some old structures and ruins of ranches as well as homesteads that give people some idea of how settlers endured life in the Central Valley.
Preparations of Your Trip to Soda Lake Beach
If you are planning a trip to Soda Lake Beach, here are some tips to make the most of your visit:If you are planning a trip to Soda Lake Beach, here are some tips to make the most of your visit:
Best Time to Visit: It is suggested though to visit Soda Lake Beach during spring because of the massive blooming flowers and because the weather is pleasant. Each of them has its own charm and its specific opportunities for a wonderful time in the fresh air.
What to Bring: Take lots of drinking water, and food, as well as carry sunscreen, because such facilities are extremely hard to come across in this rural region. A hat and sunglasses is also needed to shield your self from the sun. Perhps the most important accessories during wildlife watching and photography are binoculars and a camera.
Getting There: Soda Lake Beach is located near the Carrizo Plain National Monument, by Soda Lake Road to be precise. Most of the route is not paved, so a four-wheel drive or high clearance vehicle is advised. It is also relevant to pay attention to the road conditions and the weather forcasts in your travel destination.
Accommodation: There are no developed campground on Soda Lake Beach however there are some dispersed camping areas in the Carrizo Plain NCA. There are also the camp grounds and hotels nearby the surrounding areas.
Conclusion
Soda Lake Beach is a paradise among California’s Central Valley and can be as beautiful as a cozy getaway for a nature lover and an active recreant. The features such as the units, different species of animals, and the varieties of activities one can engage in while in the Carrizo Plain makes it an important place for anyone who would love to smooch nature. If trail blazing, bird watching, taking picture, or even admiring the beauty of nature, visitors can never go wrong with Soda Lake Beach. Thus you can respect this area and its inhabitants and support the causes that aim at saving this place for the future generations.