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Painted Canyon is within the Mecca Hills in southern California. This
scenic geologic area is located on the eastern side of the southern Coachella
Valley and is accessible via a well-maintained unpaved road that starts
about 4 miles east of Mecca along Box Canyon Road. The canyon road starts
about 12 miles south of the southern entrance to Joshua Tree National
Park, and the drive is both scenic and highly recommended for nature observation
and hiking in cool weather. The Mecca Hills are a rising block of sedimentary
formations sandwiched between earthquake faults associated with the southern
San Andreas Fault System that runs basically along the eastern side of
the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea. The Orocopia Mountains rise to
the east of the Painted Canyon area, and the Cottonwood Mountains are
to the north (in southern Joshua Tree National Park). The park features
faults, Precambrian, Tertiary and Quaternary rock formations, unconformities,
badlands and desert landforms, slot canyons, and diverse habitats for
Colorado Desert fauna and flora. The land is managed by the U.S. Bureau
of Land Management in cooperation with other federal, state, and local
organizations. This website provides 3D images (requires red-and cyan
3D view glasses) and equivalent standard photographs.
For standard photographic images, click
here.
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