Traveling the Mojove Desert will give you some eye popping sites.   Did Poison Canyon really kill these ancient monsters? Or are they still ALIVE?   That you will have to decide for yourself when you see  the fish rocks staring up patiently at the skyline, watching over Poison Canyon, making little childern run;  and photographers pull out the camera to save the scene just in case no one believes there are really fish rocks.  Watch out below, those teeth look menacing and who knows what they eat to keep them filled and willing to sit there day in and day out. 

Find these prehistoric monsters just a short drive out of Ridgecrest, Ca.  east on  highway 178 toward Death Valley, Ca.   Drive carefully,  they might be thinking about tourists for dinner.

Fish Rocks near Trona Ca.  Highway 178 out of Ridgecrest leading to Death Valley, Ca.

The site commonly known to locals of the Trona-Ridgecrest, Ca. community have been guarding the valley road highway 178 for over half a century.  The fish have taken on a life of their own.  Sometimes the paint creating the awesome site has been retouched, and redesigned by the person taking on the job.  During the mid 20th century the faces were somewhat smaller, and the art took on the look of the day.  The Trona Old Guest House Museum has more information about the original painting, but it is the constant maintenance of the community that has kept the tradition of Fish Rocks alive. 

The gift shop in the museum has a variety of gift items that feature the local area spots of interest.  Don't let those teeth keep you from a photo, or  making a hike over to get a closer look..  The canyon that keeps the fish rocks secret, is flooded with rare rains from time to time, and it is not water that can be used or drank.  Hence the term Poison Canyon.  Early settlers found this out the hard way.  The mineral rich  saline lake of the Searles Valley is just a short drive farther east.

There are other monsters hiding in the Death Valley area.  So be on the lookout.  What goes on in Death Valley stays in Death Valley.    We are still trying to figure out who got to catch those fish.