Devil’s Punchbowl

The San Andreas Fault makes many Angelenos uneasy, but it has left an unexpected attraction in the northern foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

It’s the Devil’s Punchbowl, a vast area of tan and pink sandstone that has been compressed, folded, broken, uplifted and eroded into a grand geological display.

Surrounded by Angeles National Forest, more than 1,300 acres of the rocky oddity were dedicated as a regional county park in 1963. Visitors can follow trails to scenic overlooks and across the immense rock formations.

There’s easy access to the park from the Antelope Valley. Along the way are roadside markets that tempt you to stop for fresh fruit and produce.

Ceramic Art

Visitors are also welcome at a Benedictine priory, where the monks make ceramic artworks of saints and angels that are sold in gift shops all across the country.

Begin your trip by driving north from Los Angeles on Interstate 5 to join California 14, the Antelope Valley Freeway. Exit onto Pearblossom Highway about five miles before Palmdale.

That road joins California 138 and continues east to Littlerock, where roadside stands overflow in summer with peaches and other fruit. At this time of year, Littlerock’s larger roadside markets offer seasonal fruit and produce selections from elsewhere.

Drive on to Pearblossom, go right (south) on Longview Road/County N6 and follow the county route and signs to Devil’s Punchbowl County Park (about seven miles).

As the road climbs to 4,750 feet you’ll enter the national forest and see the unusual rock formations in the distance. The county road ends at the parking lot for the park; visitors are welcome daily without charge from sunrise to sunset.

Fossilized Bones

The visitors center recently was enlarged and remodeled and is expected to reopen soon; exhibits will range from fossilized bones to live snakes. Meanwhile, you can look for a barn owl that lives in a cage outside.

If the park office is open, ask the rangers about the area’s wildlife and geology. Otherwise, read the information posted on bulletin boards nearby.

You can look down into the deep depression where rocks that once were horizontal have been tilted upright by earthquakes and movements along the fault line. The process took 13 million years, so there’s little worry about the rocks rumbling again during your visit.

From the overlook, a mile-long loop trail leads 300 feet to the bottom of the Punchbowl, taking you from desert chaparral to a stream that nourishes deciduous trees. The trail is steep coming back up; figure one hour for the round trip.

A shorter and easier nature trail called Pinon Pathway goes through small pine trees to another viewpoint. You’ll notice how wind and rain have rounded the edges of the rocky outcroppings.

Wilderness Area

Devil’s Punchbowl is a wilderness area and nature preserve; do not disturb or remove plants, rocks or other objects.

No refreshments are sold in the park, so take your own food and drink to enjoy at picnic tables shaded by the pinon pines. The park ranger’s telephone is (805) 944-2743.

Go back on County N6 about 3 1/2 miles and turn right on Pallet Creek Road. Then turn right on Valyermo Road and right again at the sign to St. Andrew’s Priory.

Another sign, “No Hunting, Except for Peace,” sets the tone for this rural sanctuary that’s home to Benedictine monks. Their monastery was established on the former Hidden Springs Ranch in 1955 after they were forced to flee from China.

To help support themselves, the monks make and sell ceramic wall plaques, including a whimsical series of angels in the costumes of various professions. The ceramic shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. (to 3:30 p.m. on weekends). A series of photos shows the ceramic process.

Religious Artifacts

Visitors are also welcome at the prior’s art shop, another small building that features religious books and art from Italy, Israel, West Germany, El Salvador, Mexico and other places. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (except Mondays) and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

With reservations at least a day ahead, you may be able to attend noon Mass in the chapel, followed by lunch. Phone St. Andrew’s Priory at (805) 944-2178.

You can go left from the monastery entrance onto Valyermo Road to rejoin Longview Road back to Pearblossom and retrace your route home.

Or make a scenic extension to your trip by turning right to wiggle southeast on Valyermo Road and County N4 through the national forest and San Gabriel Mountains.

After passing the Mountain High ski resorts and Wrightwood, pick up Interstate 15 southbound at Cajon Junction and join Interstate 10 back to Los Angeles.

Overnighters will find lodging to the west in Palmdale along California 138 (Palmdale Boulevard); the Vagabond Inn and Holiday Inn are near the junction with the Antelope Valley Freeway.

Campers can go east on Valyermo Road and turn right (south) on Big Rock Creek Road to reach three small campgrounds operated by the U.S. Forest Service.

Round trip from Los Angeles to the Devil’s Punchbowl and St. Andrew’s Priory is 148 miles.