Point of Rocks

The large basalt outcropping known as Point of Rocks is among the landmarks that travelers depended on to keep their bearings as they made their way through the desert. Located along the western edge of the Perrillo Hills, the Point of Rocks ridge looks over a section of El Camino Real that runs between the escarpment and the eastern edge of the floodplain beyond. The site was a day away from the San Diego paraje (rest stop), where voyagers watered their animals and collected what they hoped would be enough to carry themselves through the dry days ahead. By the time northbound travelers reached Point of Rocks, often after traveling through the cool of night, they were ready for a good rest. The base of the ridge provided a sheltered camping spot. For southbound travelers, it offered a welcome sign that water was only 13 miles away.