We decided to drive up to Ridgecrest on a Friday and spend the night there because early Saturday we would head into the Cosos for a two day petroglyph trip. This would give us time on Friday to explore the desert hills south of Ridgecrest and to try to find a few geocaches.

Our approach to this high desert town and gateway to the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station was from the old Trona Road that turns off Highway 395 just after you pass through the Randsburg area. As we drove north on the Trona Road we decided our first stop would be to visit the "virtual" geocache at the X-15 crash site. It was here on November 15, 1967 that an X-15 rocket plane crashed after a hypersonic spin, killing the pilot. A small monument is at the location in a peaceful valley. To view this site, and to join us in the hunt for a couple more caches, as well as to check out the wildflowers and wildlife, just click on the photo link below.