Surreal is the word for Banshee Canyon, one of the best spring
escapes in eastern California's Mojave National Preserve. First
there's the name, said to come from the whistling sound of the wind
as it swirls through pockets in the canyon's volcanic rocks. Given
the right light, these eroded lava and ash formations can seem like
grizzled, bearded faces with expressions straight out of Munch's
The Scream. Then there's the canyon's vertical descent through
the narrow gap known as Hole-in-the-Wall, a doable if challenging hike
using rings and footholds driven into the rock. From a distance, the
preserve's creosote flats may seem vast and uninviting. But
remember: At a few hidden spots like Banshee Canyon, the view can be
measured in inches, not miles. www.nps.gov/moja or 760/252-6100.
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