02-Jan-2000 -- This grassy confluence looks very
similar to the two confluences ([35,-119] and [37,-121]) to its
south-east and north-west (respectively), and for good reason: The line
formed by these three confluences runs along the foothills just to the
west of California's "Central Valley".
What's noteworthy about this confluence, however, is the foothills
here are part of an abandoned oil field. Several remnants of the oil
pumping days - pipes, tanks, etc., can be found near the confluence
point. (See photo 2 for an example.)
The confluence lies near the small town of Kettleman City, which is
now known primarily for a "fast-food oasis" along a boring stretch of
nearby Interstate 5.
By car, it's possible to get within 0.6 miles of the confluence, by
taking a paved road that runs westward from Kettleman City (the town
proper, not the fast-food oasis). This road eventually crosses over the
freeway, and ends at a locked gate with a "No Trespassing" sign. (See
photo 4 below.) It turns out that if you wished to ignore that sign,
you could get within 200 feet of the confluence just by walking along
the rest of this paved road.
Instead, I decided to try a different approach. Along CA highway 41,
just west of the freeway interchange, I saw a gate without any "No
Trespassing" sign, and decided to ride my mountain bike from there to
the confluence - 2.5 miles away. A confusing network of dirt roads and
trails eventually led to the confluence point. (At one point, I had to
detour westward to bypass a ravine.)