Treasures of the Yuha Desert
Introduction to the Yuha Desert and the types of stones found in this location
By Janet Cass and Aaron Finkbiner; February, 2022
Photographs by Janet Cass (scenes) & Tom Elias (stones)
The Yuha Desert north of Mexico‘s El Centinela mountain is spread out against the sky like a silent dream of endlessness. There are millions of stones on the Yuha Desert floor, a limitless variety in all directions, deposited in ancient times by disruptions of volcanic mountains, uplifted seabeds, and the mighty Colorado River after its long journey through the western United States. After the Colorado River delta gradually changed the area of the Yuha from marine (the northernmost reaches of the Gulf of California and later Lake Cahuilla) to dry land, the stones have been buried, exposed, pitted, grooved, and polished by wind-blown, fine-grained sands for untold thousands of years.
Yuha scenes
The Yuha is a distinct section, more than 2,000 square miles, of the Sonoran Desert in southeastern California, and one of the hottest and driest deserts in the world. The Yuha has undulating contours, gashed by washes and traps of loose sand that can capture even all-wheel-drive vehicles. On foot, it is not hard to get disoriented directionally, lose sight of others, and get lost. Often there is no cell phone signal. Travel with two or more all-wheel vehicles and with those experienced in the Yuha is highly recommended. The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has marked a route of primary access to the Yuha from US Interstate 8 at Dunaway Road Exit. The BLM has also designated routes through the desert that are marked by brown metal posts with white lettering. Navigation can be tricky, however. Driving over the desert floor is not allowed, and it is dangerous! The BLM permits stone collecting only for personal use and has limitations on collecting. The most up-to-date regulations should be checked before any trip to the Yuha.
Yuha scenes and road
The treasured Yuha Stones in our collection bring back fond memories of the beauty of the silence and solitude of our time exploring the desert and the excitement of our discoveries. Our favorite Yuha Stones start with the very first stones we found there. Aaron discovered his stone “Shadows of My Mind” on his first day in the Yuha. Janet’s favorite stones are the smooth, totally black, polished ones.
“Shadows of My Mind” (4.5 x 3 x 2 inches),
“Perfect Mountain (1.75 x 3.75 x 2.5 inches)
“Black Satin (2.5 x 2 x 1.25 inches)
“Wave Stone” 8 x (7 x 4 inches)
However, in contradiction, Janet’s best Yuha Stone is jagged and wild, displayed vertically in a daiza or horizontally as a coastal stone in a suiban.
All shapes and sizes of stones are to be found in the Yuha.
Painted Buffalo (5 x 7 x 3.5 inches)
Chrysalis (2 x 0.75 x 0.75 inches)
Outside Looking In (2.25 x 4 x 2.5 inches)
Petrified Wood (5.25 x 4 x 3.5 inches)
Calico Hen, (4 x 5.5 x 2 inches)
Bird in Flight (4 x 4.5 x 3.25 inches)
Most recently, Aaron found a chrysanthemum flower stone formed millions of years ago in the Yuha. It is the first documented chrysanthemum flower stone to come out of the Yuha—an exciting find.
Yuha Chrysanthemum Flower Stone, (2.5 x 4.25 x 2.5 inches)
Stone hunting in the Yuha Desert is a meditation of discovery on a very personal level. For us, it began with trips to the Yuha with other members of California Aiseki Kai club. The Yuha captivates. Its vastness, its sense of solitude, and the constantly changing light bring on primal feelings of attachment. We have been indeed fortunate to have made so many wonderful memories there.
