Attractions and Places To See around Palmdale - Top 20

Not really farms, behind the white paddock fences there is a rather surprising quantity of MacMansions in this small desert town, far from decent services.

Two congregations across the street from each other. Perhaps an opportunity to gather some spiritual support before heading back out on the PCT.

There are plenty of decent campspots in the wash next to the trail register, some with shade.

No paved shoulder but few cars along most of this remote scenic road. Bring plenty of water, given the distances. In emergencies, there is usually water stashed at the crossing with the PCT hiking trailhead.

Agua Dulce is the Southern Terminus of Section E on the Pacific Crest Trail. Interestingly the Trail register is a couple of miles into the trail at the crossing of the seasonal Mint creek, perhaps because it is safer from vandalism than at the Trailhead by Sierra Road.

Bouquet Canyon Rd is a paved east/west connection about 10 miles after leaving Agua Dulce that has no nearby resupply option but can serve as an emergency bailout, either east to Lancaster and Palmdale, or West to Green Valley, where the nearest Post office is and helpful trail angels. From there it is easy to get back on the PCT. Phone signal is decent on the ridge if necessary. The seasonal stream mapped here was not productive even in February.

The Pacific Crest Trail crosses here through the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. Nicknamed Kirk's Rock for its many appearances in popular culture it is a 932-acre (377-hectare) park located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains in northern Los Angeles County, south of the town center of Agua Dulce. These rock formations were formed by rapid erosion during uplift about 25 million years ago, and then later exposed by uplift activity along the San Andreas Fault. The Tataviam people were living here when the Spanish arrived. Their language was most likely a Takic Uto-Aztecan language. They lived in grass huts within villages. With the coming of the Spanish missions, some of these people were forced to work there. They eventually began speaking Spanish and inter-marrying with other tribes. The last of the Tataviam people died in 1916. In 1874, Tiburcio Vásquez, one of California's most notorious bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature. The land and rock formations were acquired gradually by Los Angeles County, beginning with a donation of 40 acres in 1971, with more parcels being added through 2001. Vasquez Rocks was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 because of its significance as a prehistoric site for the Shoshone and Tataviam peoples. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasquez_Rocks

Pacific Crest Trail angels Donna & Ray provided PCT hikers free accommodation and support since 1997. You can get packages shipped to them as there is no convenient post office. In 2020 Hiker Heaven transitioned from its years of functioning as a free-to-all hostel to a revamped pay-for-stay AirBnB and only accepts packages for registered guests, usually from April. Check for updates on the website http://hikerheaven.com As a reminder, resupply and mail can be sent to either the KOA in Acton, which is directly on the trail but charges a fee for storing and holding boxes; or the Acton US Post Office, 5.6 miles to the east, which is hitchable or walkable. Other options include shopping at the Acton Market (there are two across the street from each other near the PO), or taking an Uber or Lyft into larger towns like Santa Clarita or Palmdale. Hikers generally get a group together to keep the costs down. Vons grocery store delivers to Agua Dulce (but not Acton), and they waive the delivery fee for your first order. There is no longer a grocery store in Agua Dulce, and the Sweetwater Bar & Grill closed recently as well. Fortunately there are three open restaurants right on the trail through Agua Dulce. One serves breakfast. There are hiker-type items and fuel available at the hardware store. The general store is a small convenience store, and under new ownership. Guess we were lucky to experience the last free season in 2019 and the Saufley's in person. The live-in seasonal volunteer stopped at the store when driving us to the trailhead 💞, guess that is for payment only too in future ...