Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a 905 acre (3 km²) northern Los Angeles County, California USA park acquired by LA County government in the 1970s. It is in the Agua Dulce vicinity between the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley just north of Los Angeles and seen easily by motorists driving the Antelope Valley Freeway. Vasquez Rocks have been used innumerable times in motion pictures, various television series and in moving and still photography advertisements, and continues to be used in them today.

History

The rock formations are part of the San Andreas Fault. In 1873 and 1874 Tiburcio Vasquez - 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.

Vasquez Rocks was added to the National Register of Historic Places (site #72000228) in 1972 due to its significance as a prehistoric site for the Shoshonean and Tataviam peoples.

Role in entertainment

In films

The Vasquez Rocks have been used as the setting for key scenes in a relatively large number of motion pictures produced by many Hollywood filmmakers, including:

• Star Trek (2009)
• Alpha Dog (2007)
• A.I. Assault / Shockwave (2006)
• Cars (2006)
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
• Joe Dirt (2001)
• Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
• Planet of the Apes (2001)
• Bubble Boy (2001)
• Epoch (2000)
• Very Bad Things (1998)
• Free Enterprise (1998)
• Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
• Guns of El Chupacabra (1997)
• Jingle All the Way (1996)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995)
• The Flintstones (1994)
• In the Army Now (1994)
• Army of Darkness (1993)
• Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)
• The Rapture (1991)
• Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
• My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988)
• Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987)
• Short Circuit (1986)
• Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983)
• Parasite (1982)
• Hearts of the West (1975)
• Blazing Saddles (1974)
• Apache (1954)
• A Thousand and One Nights (film) (1945)
• Werewolf of London (1935)
• Dracula (1931)

In television

Television series productions which have used the Vasquez Rocks include:

• Saving Grace -- used in promotional commercials for the 2nd season despite a lack of such rock formations in the real Oklahoma.
• From The Earth To The Moon -- episode 10: "Galileo Was Right"
• The Twilight Zone (the original series)
• Have Gun -- Will Travel
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
• The Rifleman
• Maverick
• Broken Arrow (in the opening credits)
• Mission: Impossible
• 24
• Airwolf
• Bonanza
• Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (episode #4.22 "Restless")
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (The episode 'The Ninja Quest' was filmed here. It was referred in the show as the ('Desert of Despair'.)
• Roswell (extensive use especially during the later part of Season 1 and most of Season 2)
• Star Trek: The Original Series (notably the episodes "Arena", "The Alternative Factor", "Shore Leave", and "Friday's Child")
• Star Trek: The Next Generation ("Who Watches the Watchers")
• Star Trek: Voyager ("Initiations")
• Star Trek: Enterprise
• The Wild Wild West
• S Club 7:Back To The 50's (one off special for ITV)
• The Outer Limits
• Korg: 70,000 BC
• Alias (episode #3.9, "Conscious")
• Mr. Show with Bob and David (episode #203 "The Biggest Failure In Broadway History")
• The Fugitive (TV series)
• Alien Hunter
• Alias Smith and Jones
• Hunter
• Helltown
• The Invaders
• MacGyver
• The Rat Patrol (episode "The Darers Go First Raid")
• Space: Above and Beyond (episode #1x06 "Ray Butts")
• Charmed
• Sliders (episode #3x03 "Electric Twister Acid Test", #4x09 "Slidecage", #5x16 "Dust")
• Friends
• Fear Factor
• Lassie
• Las Vegas
• Logan's Run (Episode 1.13 - "Turnabout")
• Zorro
• Voyagers!
• Daniel Boone
• Alien Nation
• The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin
• The Big Valley
• Buffalo Bill Jr.
• Cimarron Strip
• The Cisco Kid
• Stories of the Century
• The High Chaparral
• Johnny Ringo
• The Range Rider
• The Bionic Woman
• Numb3rs
• The Middleman (TV series) (episode 104, "The Manicoid Teleportation Conundrum")
• Prey (Episode 4 "Origins")
• Street Hawk("Shadow of the Hawk")

In music videos

Music video production done at Vasquez Rocks include:

• Black or White (song) by Michael Jackson
• High and Dry (UK version) by Radiohead
• S Club Party by S Club 7
• Mind's Eye by Wolfmother
• Heaven Is A Halfpipe by OPM
• Mobscene by Marilyn Manson
• Just Wanna Be With You by Enrique Iglesias
• Turnaround by Stealin Horses
• The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades by Timbuk3

The Rocks were even drawn into the animated series Futurama, depicting various alien landscapes as they did in the other science fiction shows, and they were also animated in Shrek.

In video games

Videogames with usage of Vasquez Rocks:

• Prey, a video game by 3D Realms and Human Head Studios (specifically the live action footage of the Super Trailer).

Activities

Climbing the large sloped rocks is the most popular activity. Other activities include a history trail tour of its previous visitors, the Tataviam Indians and Spanish settlers. Additional activities include campfire nature talks, hiking (including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail), horseback riding and other equestrian programs, an Easter sunrise service, and picnic lunching at picnic areas in the park. School tours and organized youth group campouts require a reservation from the park management, reachable by telephone at (661) 268-0840. Other uses the park allows are motion picture filming, weddings, and large picnic and party groups, which must be arranged in advance.

Star Trek fans sometimes recreate the events that transpired at Vasquez in the Original Series' episode "Arena", even going as far as donning masks of the reptilian creature in that episode, the Gorn.

Vasquez Rocks is a popular site for orienteering, where participants find locations within the park's rugged terrain using map and compass. The Los Angeles Orienteering Club sponsors several events each year at this location.

It should be pointed out that great caution should be taken in hiking this area. Always bring a good map (do not rely on the free map given to visitors at the location) and a supply of water. It is very easy to become lost. If a hiker becomes lost he/she should climb to the highest point available and look at the surrounding area for a direction, but this isn't always helpful. A map then becomes essential.

Directions

From Los Angeles, drive north on Interstate 5 (the Golden State Freeway) to State Route 14/Antelope Valley Freeway, which meanders northeast. After you leave the Canyon Country portion of Santa Clarita take the exit at Agua Dulce Canyon Road. At the end of the offramp turn left. The road passes through the southern part of the rocks, then makes an abrupt right turn. A short distance further, Agua Dulce Canyon Road makes an abrupt left turn, but the park entrance is straight ahead on Escondido Canyon Road. The park entrance to the immediate right. Parking and use of the park is free.

See also

• Tiburcio Vasquez

References

External links

• Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park
• Vasquez Rocks (television use in Bonanza and Star Trek) - also see its following page
• Movie Sites.org - Vasquez Rocks
• Maps & Weather - Unearthed Outdoors
• Los Angeles Orienteering Club - Orienteering Events