Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area (Denise Randol)
Reviewed by: Denise Randol,
6th grade Earth Science Teacher
LA Unified School District
Location: 28000 Devils Punchbowl Rd. Pearblossom, CA 93553
Directions: Interstate 5 North to Hwy (14) North toward Palmdale, exit at Pearblossom Hwy (138), East to Pearblossom, to Longview Rd. turn Right. Follow the signs to park (approx. 7 mi) going towards mountains (south).
School bus drive time: From downtown L.A. approx. 90 min one way. From San Fernando Valley approx. 60 min.
Contact: Phone:(661) 944-2743
Description: Devil's Punchbowl County Park is a spectacular deep cut canyon in the shadow of the 8,000 foot tall San Gabriel Mountains. The close proximity of the San Andreas Fault (within 2 miles) puts visitors literally on the boundary between the Pacific and North American Plates. It's dramatic, sandstone rock formations are the result of the Piñon and San Andreas faults pushing the sedimentary layers of the Antelope Valley lakebed into the north face of the mountains. With no where to go but up, the layers broke and uplifted into large, vertical formations. The annual spring snow melt from the mountains deposited rock debris into the canyon's floor and eroded the rock layers into rounded shapes. Over time, wind blown sand off the valley floor further eroded the rocks. In addition to the abundant geological sights, the park is rich in high desert flora and fauna. Due to it's higher elevation (4,700 ft.) above the valley floor, the park's ecosystem has more plentiful plant and animal populations. Devil's Punchbowl experiences dramatic seasonal changes, including snow in winter and early spring and hot, windy dry conditions in the summer and fall. The high desert chaparral, pines and shrubs in the park are excellent examples of plant adaptations to extreme conditions.
The park is a popular hiking destination for families and tourists. Freestyle rock climbers are also known to try their skill on the vertical rocks. Run by the County of Los Angeles since 1963 and free to the public, Devil's Punchbowl offers visitors several trails, varying in difficulty. It's small nature center gives visitors an introduction to the diversity of native flora and fauna and the dedicated park rangers and volunteers are knowledgeable and helpful.
School groups from all over Los Angeles visit the park every year, in particular, middle and high school Earth Science and ecology students. Teachers interested in bringing school groups can make reservations with the park by phone or website. Admission is free and you can arrange for a ranger talk on a variety of subjects.The parking area is large enough for buses to enter and turn around, and the park's shaded picnic area has enough tables to accomodate as many as 100 people . Cell phone service is not very good, particularly in the canyon, but there is a land line in the nature center. The park has accessibility for handicapped students: the Pinon Trail can be navigated by a wheel chair and is fairly flat and smooth.
Audience:
An Earth Science teacher would benefit by a visit because the Punchbowl's rock formations dramatically show the effects of seismic faulting (San Andreas & Punchbowl faults), weathering, erosion and deposition. By observing the snow melt run off from higher elevations, through the rocks and into the canyon streams,students gain valuable understanding of power of gravity and water in the movement of material downhill. They can closely observe plant roots breaking apart rocks and holding soil to slopes. The size and positions of the rock formations give students a more accurate sense of scale than can be achieved from photos. The large rock slabs that are lifted into vertical positions by the faults dramatically show students the power of San Andreas' plate movement. Students also gain an understanding of how the higher elevation affects them physiologically. If students visit in January- April, they can also have an opportunity to experience snow (some for the first time)
Environmental or Biology teachers would benefit from the high desert ecosystem with clearly identified plants and an animal nature center with reptiles,active bee colony and raptor birds on display. The students would benefit from the native species expertise of the park's staff.
Science Concepts Addressed:
Mechanical & Chemical Weathering: the Punchbowl's sandstone rocks show various stages of rock degradation from frost wedging, plant roots, wind and water. Some of the rocks show iron streaking.
Mountain Building & Uplift: The seismic faults have broken and uplifted sections of the ancient lakebed and pushed it into vertical formations, fault blocks and anticlines and synclines,
Erosion & Deposition: The sand stone blocks show various stages of erosion--some have sharp, newly broken edges and others are rounded from years of wind and water weathering. Piles of rock debris has been transported down into the canyon and lie along a stream.
Ecosystem/Biomes: Students hike through high desert pinon pine, Indian Paint Brush, Monkey flower, yucca, manzanita and scrub oak, among others. In spring, desert wildflowers are seen throughout park. Students can observe evidence of reptiles, insects, raptors, and deer--through tracks or live sightings.
