Desert Research Station in Hinkley,
CA
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The Desert Research Station opened to the public in November,
2000, and is currently open to visitors during the weekends.
CLUI photo
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The Desert Research Station, in the desert
near Barstow, California, was once a thriving educational nature
station for biologists and local school groups. In recent years,
however, it was abandoned and vandalized. Earlier this year,
the CLUI adopted the DRS, and began a renovation of the facility.
In November, 2000, the CLUI opened the doors of the DRS to the
public once again.
Drawn from the research that
the CLUI has been engaged in for years, an informative display
about the California desert area is installed in the DRS. In
addition, books, brochures and maps of the region are available
at the DRS, making it a good point-of-origin to explore and
examine the desert region. Visitors are welcome to browse, view
videotapes about sites in the desert, talk with informed staff,
or just relax in the cool dark interior. Outside, on the grounds
of the DRS, relics of the site’s history as a scientific
research facility are visible all over the grounds, from an
artificial pond, to an active air sampling device. Remnants
of a self-guided walking tour make for a fun and easy to follow
interpretive enigma.
During this winter season,
the DRS is staffed during regular hours, Friday through Sunday
11 - 4, until mid-February. The CLUI will lead two tours to
the DRS and environs, on January 13, 2001 and February 3, 2001.
To make a reservation for the tour, call the Museum of Contemporary
Art at (213) 621-1767. The CLUI would like to thank MoCA for
their assistance and support in making the DRS a reality.
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View of the interior of the DRS, which will serve as
an educational venue for years to come.
CLUI photo
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To get to the DRS from the
Los Angeles area, take I-10 east to I-15 north. Take the Highway
58 west exit, just before Barstow. After several miles on Highway
58 turn north on Hinkley Road, indicated by a sign saying "Hinkley
1 mile". After four miles, look for the DRS on the right.
