Even in the 1930s, Red Rock Canyon was on a well-traveled route from Bishop to Los Angeles along the east side of the Sierra Nevada. The scenery at this point in the road eventually led to the creation of Red Rock Canyon State Park in 1968. As illustrated in this view, the main reason for the park is the brilliantly colored sedimentary geology, punctuated with Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree) and a vegetation assemblage diverse in species. A dirt road crosses the center of the view. (Photographer unknown, courtesy of Roberta Starry)