| So you, like myself, wondered how this killer duning spot we call Glamis was created. Well it all started some 200 million years ago (give or take a year or two). The millions of years of erosion, coupled with the constant thrusting force of plate tectonics, have all attributed to the sculpting of this region within California. For years the desert of California had a tropical climate (way back when). However with our ever-changing earth, the coastal mountains were pushed upward. This cut off the moisture rich air that once blew through this region. At this same time, certain sections of California began to drop. This formed the area we now know as the Salton Sink. Slowly, over time, the region began to dry, forcing the surrender of vegetation as well as animals to their creators. At this time, the now Colorado River flowed through country that was so flat it was often easily diverted in certain directions. This result was due to such things as silt deposits, brush, and flash flood ruts. At times, the river flowed into the Gulf of California, but at other times it flowed west into the Salton Sink. It was times like this when the river flowed westward that the Salton sink formed a large freshwater lake. This body of water is now referred to by scientists as Lake Cahuilla (like the ranger station on Gecko road). This lake covered the Imperial Valley, Coachella Valley, as well as Mexicalli Valleys. The scientists say that this lake existed as late as the 1400’s. Although there are many theories on how Glamis was formed, the most popular is that it was created from beach sands from the Lake Cahuilla. The prevailing westerlies, in the United States, coupled with northwesterly winds blew the sand east from the shores of the lake. Believe it or not, this process is still happening today. The prevailing westerly winds move the sand southeast at an estimated rate of 1 foot per year. I always figured that wind had to be doing more than making my trips miserable, and blowing sand in my face! Just think, all of those years to create such a perfect duning spot. I guess we as duners owe it to who or what ever created Glamis to at least move it one foot each year without any complaining. After all it’s free to use. There must be a God!!! Information in this article attained from the internet, reference books, and BLM "Glamis Guide".
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