Shaina (Smith) Zelano — Class of 1993

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It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Shaina (Smith) Zelazo on April 26, 2026. A proud graduate of the Trona High School Class of 1993, Shaina was born on February 8, 1974.

For multiple years, Shaina fought a courageous battle against cancer, facing every treatment with everything she had. Just as she seemed to be improving, her body ultimately grew too tired to continue the fight.

Those who knew Shaina will always remember her vibrant passion for running. She eagerly entered every race she could, pursuing her love for the sport until she was physically no longer able to run.

Shaina leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, DJ, and their three children, Russell, Trinity, and Caleb. She is also survived by her brother, Jared Smith THS Class of 1995.

Please keep Shaina’s family and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Cecilia Marie (Cowie) Vanderpool — Class of 1974

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Cecilia “Cissy” Cowey 21 May 1956 – May 9, 2026

Cecilia “Cissy” Cowey passed away at her home on May 9, 2026, just days before celebrating her 70th birthday.

A proud alumna of Trona High School’s Class of 1974, Cissy was an exceptionally accomplished student and a dedicated leader. Throughout her high school years, she served as Vice President of her class and Editor-in-Chief of the Telescope yearbook. Highly regarded for both her character and scholastic achievements, she was a member of the National Honor Society, the California Scholarship Federation, and the Mathletes, and was honored with the D.A.R. Good Citizen Award. Cissy also dynamically contributed to student life as Publicity Chairman and as an active member of Chorus, Drama, and the Pep Club.

Cissy was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Duncan Cowey (1965–2004). She is survived by her brother, Mark Cowey, and an extended circle of family and lifelong friends who hold her memory dear. Sincere condolences are extended to the family during this time of loss.

 

Olancha: The High Desert Waypoint in the Rearview Mirror

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Standing at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, where the Owens Valley meets the vast Mojave, sits Olancha, California. Long known as a crucial pit stop for travelers on U.S. Route 395 and the western gateway to Death Valley, the town has officially entered a new chapter now that the long-awaited highway bypass is complete.

Long before the rumble of semi-trucks on U.S. 395, Olancha was a essential node on the Southern Pacific’s Jawbone Branch (also known as the Lone Pine Branch).

  • The Aqueduct Link: Built between 1908 and 1910, the railroad was a lifeline for the construction of the Los Angeles Aqueduct. Olancha served as a strategic supply point where standard-gauge tracks carried the heavy machinery and pipe needed to quench L.A.’s thirst.

  • The Shipping Hub: In the early 1900s, the tracks near Olancha weren’t just for water—they moved ore from the Coso Range and soda ash from the shores of Owens Lake.

  • The Modern Ghost Grade: If you look closely at the landscape today, particularly where the new bypass alignment sits, you are often looking at the old railroad bed. While the tracks were pulled up north of Searles in the late 1990s, the “scar” on the desert floor remains a permanent monument to the town’s industrial past.

The Olancha Resort: From Motor Court to “Basecamp”

  • The Evolution of the Stay: What started as a classic mid-century motor court has expanded into a massive 65-acre footprint. It now anchors the town with a mix of traditional RV hookups, tent sites, and the iconic canvas teepees.

  • The Hub of Survival: The resort’s cafe and general store are essentially the “town square” for modern travelers. By offering amenities like a well-water swimming pool and a restaurant serving bison and grass-fed beef, the campground has moved away from the “cheap motel” model toward a “resort basecamp” for Death Valley and Mt. Whitney explorers.

  • A Sanctuary of Scale: Interestingly, the campground’s layout—with its 100-acre site and private lake area—is exactly what allows Olancha to pivot. It provides the physical space for the “quiet sanctuary” experience that a simple roadside gas station could never offer.

The Teepees: A Canvas Tradition

While many roadside oddities in the desert are made of stucco or concrete, the Olancha Teepees are distinct for their authentic canvas construction. These structures serve as a glamping-style retreat, offering a more tactile and rustic experience than a standard motel. Their white peaks against the rugged backdrop of Olancha Peak remain one of the most photographed sights in the Eastern Sierra, proving that even as the highway moves, the charm of these canvas shelters keeps people pulling off the road.

The Ghost of Howard Hughes
The mystique of the area is often tied to the eccentric Howard Hughes. Local accounts place the billionaire in the Olancha area during his periods of desert seclusion. Whether he was scouting for mineral interests or simply seeking the total privacy that only the high desert can provide, his presence added a layer of Hollywood noir to this dusty outpost. While he may not have stayed in a canvas teepee, his legacy as a reclusive desert-dweller is a permanent part of the local lore. The locals claim he was a regular customer for the cabins they rent.

Did Howard Hughes actually stay here like we were told?

Inside the cabin

The Bypass: Life After U.S. 395
The major Olancha-Cartago 4-Lane Project is now finished. For decades, Olancha was defined by the rumble of semi-trucks and the constant stream of tourists slowing down to 45 mph. Today, the new expressway carries that traffic around the town rather than through it.

The Speculation of a Ghost Town
With the bypass complete, the conversation has shifted from “if” to “how” the town will survive.

The Economic Shift: Businesses that relied on accidental “impulse stops”—like gas stations and quick-service diners—face a steep challenge. There is valid concern that without the captive audience of a slow-moving highway, Olancha could fade into a literal ghost town.

The Renaissance: Conversely, some locals see this as an opportunity. Without the noise and smog of thousands of daily vehicles, Olancha has become a quiet sanctuary. It is transitioning from a “drive-through” town to a “destination” town for those seeking desert silence and access to the nearby Southern Sierra wilderness.

The Waypoint to Death Valley
Regardless of the new highway alignment, Olancha remains the critical pivot point for those heading east. It marks the junction for CA-190, the primary western artery into Death Valley National Park.

Destination                 Distance from Olancha
Olancha                        (The Junction) 0 Miles
Dirty Socks                   Hot Spring 15 Miles
Panamint Springs       63 Miles
Furnace Creek           100 Miles

For travelers heading into the basin, Olancha is still the “Last Chance” for supplies. Even if you have to take an exit to get there, the town’s role as a psychological threshold—the last bit of green before the beautiful desolation of the Mojave—remains unchanged.

The Verdict
Olancha isn’t dead, but it is quieter. It has traded its status as a mandatory bottleneck for a new identity as a deliberate stop. For the history buffs and desert explorers who still seek out the canvas teepees and the shadows of Howard Hughes, the bypass hasn’t erased Olancha—it’s just made it a little more peaceful to find.

Panamint City

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The journey to Panamint City is not a Sunday stroll; it is a pilgrimage into one of the most rugged and storied corners of the American West. Tucked 6,300 feet high in the Panamint Range of Death Valley National Park, this ghost town is a time capsule of silver-mining madness, accessible only to those willing to sweat for their history.

View photos: HERE

🧭 The Gateway: Ballarat and Surprise Canyon

Your journey begins in the “living” ghost town of Ballarat. Once a supply hub for miners, it now serves as a dusty waypoint where you can grab a cold soda and a bit of advice from the local caretaker.

From Ballarat, a dirt road leads you to the mouth of Surprise Canyon and the ruins of Chris Wicht’s Camp. This is the end of the line for internal combustion. A 1984 flash flood—a recurring character in Panamint’s history—stripped the old road down to the bedrock, transforming a once-driveable canyon into a vertical obstacle course.

In the vertical world of Surprise Canyon, the desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) reigns as the undisputed master of the crags. These sure-footed sentinels are often seen perched on the sheer limestone “Narrows” or drinking from the perennial stream that carves through the canyon floor. Because the hike is so strenuous and the terrain so rugged, the sheep here remain relatively undisturbed, though they are known to watch hikers with a stoic, golden-eyed curiosity from the safety of the high ridges. For a bighorn, the 4,000-foot ascent to Panamint City is a morning stroll, and their presence serves as a humbling reminder to any traveler that while humans merely visit this “hard-boiled” wilderness, the sheep truly own it.

🥾 The Ascent: Water, Walls, and Willpower

The hike to Panamint City is roughly 5 to 7 miles one-way, but don’t let the distance fool you. You will be gaining nearly 4,000 feet of elevation over terrain that refuses to stay dry.

  • The Narrows: The first few miles are spent navigating “The Narrows,” where limestone walls squeeze the canyon. You will be hiking directly through a flowing perennial stream. Forget waterproof boots; embrace the wet feet.

  • The Waterfalls: You’ll encounter several small waterfalls. These aren’t sheer drops but slick, algae-covered rock scrambles. Expect to use your hands as much as your feet.

  • The Desert Canopy: Surprisingly, the canyon is lush. You’ll weave through “green tunnels” of willow and wild grapes—a surreal contrast to the searing Panamint Valley below.

  • Brewery Spring: Marking the halfway point, this is your last reliable water source before the city. It’s a good spot to filter water and catch your breath before the canyon opens up and the shade disappears.

🏚️ Arriving at the “Hard-Boiled Hellhole”

As you crest the final rise, the iconic brick smokestack of the 1870s smelter appears like a monument. In its 1874 heyday, Panamint City was home to 2,000 people and was so lawless that even Wells Fargo refused to build an office there.

C

Colorized 1940’s Image

Today, the “city” is a sprawling museum of the abandoned:

  • The Main Street: Once a mile long, it is now a wash filled with rusted 1950s trucks, refrigerators, and stone foundations.

  • The “Panamint Hilton”: Several cabins, including the “Hilton” and “The Castle,” are maintained by a dedicated community of backpackers. They offer shelter from the freezing high-altitude nights (just watch out for Hantavirus-carrying rodents).

  • The Mines: Trails lead further up to the Wyoming and Hemlock mines, where the brave (and well-lit) can explore the tunnels that fueled the silver boom.

The silver mines of Panamint City are the skeletal remains of a 19th-century fever dream. Perched precariously in the steep hanging valleys above the townsite, these mines once promised enough wealth to fuel a “new San Francisco,” attracting senators and outlaws alike to a place so remote it defied logic. Today, hikers who venture up the talus slopes find a haunting industrial graveyard of rusted ore cars, collapsed timber portals, and the massive, iconic brick smokestack that still stands as a monument to the 1870s smelting operations. While many of the tunnels remain open, they are treacherous labyrinths of unstable rock and rotting support beams—silent, dark reminders of the thousands of men who once hammered at these canyon walls, betting their lives on a vein of silver that ultimately couldn’t outrun the costs of the brutal terrain.

⚠️ Vital Specs for the Trek

Factor Requirement
Difficulty Strenuous. High physical fitness and route-finding skills required.
Water Bring a filter. Water is available in the canyon but must be treated.
Best Time Late Fall to Early Spring. Summer temperatures in the canyon can be lethal.
Safety This is a remote wilderness. Carry a satellite communicator; there is zero cell service.

Getting to Panamint City is an exercise in “Type II fun”—miserable in the moment, but legendary in retrospect. It is a place where the ghosts of outlaws and “Silver Senators” still seem to linger in the desert wind, waiting for the next flood to reclaim the canyon.

Red Rock Canyon State Park: Hollywoods Desert Backlot

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Nestled between the southern tip of the Sierra Nevada and the El Paso Mountains, Red Rock Canyon State Park in Southern California is one of the most visually striking desert landscapes in the American West. With its towering rust-colored cliffs, sculpted buttes, and wide desert vistas, the park has long served as a natural movie set for Hollywood filmmakers seeking dramatic scenery without leaving California.

A Landscape Made for the Camera

The canyon’s vivid rock formations—painted in layers of red, orange, pink, and cream—were formed over millions of years by wind, water, and tectonic forces. Landmarks such as Hagen Canyon and the colorful cliffs along Highway 14 provide sweeping cinematic backdrops that resemble everything from the Old West to alien planets.

Its location, about two hours north of Los Angeles, made it especially attractive during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Studios could transport cast, crew, horses, and equipment to the desert and back in a single day. The predictable Southern California weather was another advantage, allowing filmmakers to shoot year-round under clear skies.

Westerns and the Golden Age of Hollywood

Red Rock Canyon became particularly popular during the 1930s through the 1950s, when Westerns dominated American cinema. Over 140 films were shot here. The canyon’s rugged terrain perfectly doubled for frontier territories across Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.

Legendary stars such as John Wayne and Roy Rogers filmed scenes in the area. The canyon appears in classic Westerns including:

In these films, Red Rock Canyon’s cliffs and open desert expanses stood in for vast frontier landscapes, enhancing themes of isolation, adventure, and rugged individualism.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Landscapes

As Hollywood evolved, so did the types of productions that used the canyon. Its otherworldly rock formations made it an ideal stand-in for distant planets and prehistoric worlds.

Many people think the canyon was featured in episodes of Star Trek, where its unusual formations helped create the illusion of alien terrain, however my resarch indicates they were actually shot at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park in Agua Dulce, California . It did appear, however,  in the original Beneath the Planet of the Apes, contributing to the film’s stark, post-apocalyptic atmosphere.

Its versatility allowed filmmakers to transform the same location into multiple fictional worlds simply by changing camera angles and set dressing.

Music Videos and Modern Productions

Beyond classic films and television, Red Rock Canyon has also attracted music video directors and commercial filmmakers. Its dramatic desert scenery offers a powerful visual aesthetic that complements everything from country ballads to rock anthems.

Even as digital effects have become more common, the canyon continues to draw productions seeking authentic natural beauty that cannot be fully replicated on a soundstage or green screen.

Preserving a Cinematic Landmark

Today, Red Rock Canyon State Park is protected land, managed for conservation and recreation. Visitors can hike scenic trails, camp beneath the desert sky, and explore the same terrain once traversed by film crews and movie stars.

Though many audiences may not immediately recognize the location, Red Rock Canyon has quietly shaped the visual language of American cinema. From dusty frontier towns to distant galaxies, this Southern California desert landscape has helped Hollywood bring countless stories to life.

Its cliffs do more than rise from the desert floor—they rise from film history itself.

The Fragile Pass: Road Damage and Resilience in Poison Canyon

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State Highway 178 is a lifeline for Eastern Kern County, but as any local will tell you, it is a road in constant negotiation with the Earth. This is nowhere more evident than in Poison Canyon, the rugged, steep-walled stretch between Ridgecrest and the Trona/Searles Valley area.

Recent years have been particularly unkind to this corridor. While the “canyon” itself provides a stunning backdrop of stark desert beauty, its geological instability has led to recurring road damage that keeps Caltrans crews on high alert.

The Anatomy of the Damage

The primary culprit for road degradation in Poison Canyon is the extreme cycle of flash flooding and thermal expansion. In this arid environment, the soil lacks the vegetation to hold it in place. When desert monsoons or winter atmospheric rivers hit, the runoff doesn’t soak in; it scours.

• Undermining: Heavy rains frequently wash out the shoulders, undermining the asphalt and leading to “alligator cracking” and eventual lane failure.

• Debris Flows: The steep canyon walls shed rock and sediment directly onto the travel lanes, often forcing emergency closures.

• Pavement Heaving: Extreme temperature swings—from freezing winter nights to 110°F summer days—cause the road surface to expand and contract, creating hazardous dips and ripples.

The Iconic Fish Rocks

For travelers navigating the winding turns of Highway 178, the Fish Rocks serve as both a whimsical landmark and a grim reminder of the canyon’s power. These boulders, painted to look like giant, colorful fish emerging from the desert floor, sit right in the heart of the most vulnerable section of the canyon.

While they are a beloved photo-op, the Fish Rocks are also “ground zero” for road damage reports. Because they sit at a natural drainage point, the area surrounding the rocks is often the first to flood. In recent seasons, crews have had to perform extensive “slope stabilization” near the rocks to prevent the very ground they sit on from sliding into the roadway.

Current Status and Future Repairs

As of early 2026, Highway 178 through Poison Canyon remains a focus of the Caltrans District 9 maintenance schedule. While the road is currently open, motorists should expect:

1. Reduced Speed Zones: Many sections near the Fish Rocks have been reduced to lower speed limits due to uneven pavement and ongoing shoulder reinforcement.

2. One-Way Escorts: Periodic maintenance to clear rockfall debris often requires temporary signal-controlled traffic.

3. Long-Term Mitigation: Plans are being discussed for more permanent culvert upgrades and “rock fall netting” on the steepest cliffs to prevent boulders from reaching the travel lanes.

Safety Tips for Travelers

If you are planning to transit through Poison Canyon, keep these essentials in mind:

• Check the Weather: If there is a flash flood warning for the Spangler Hills or Searles Valley, avoid the canyon entirely.

• Watch the Shoulders: Even if the lane looks clear, the edges of the road can be soft and prone to crumbling after a rain event.

• Respect the Fish: By all means, pull over to see the Fish Rocks, but ensure you are completely off the roadway in a designated turnout; visibility is low for oncoming traffic in the canyon’s tight curves.

 

Poison Canyon is a testament to the challenge of maintaining infrastructure in the Mojave. It remains a beautiful, if temperamental, gateway that requires constant vigilance from both the state and the drivers who traverse it.

Donald “Don” Allen Murrin — Class of 1977

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The family of Don Murrin announces with heavy hearts his recent passing. A man of remarkable character and skill, Don was described by his daughter, Melissa, as the anchor and heartbeat of their family. He balanced a quickness to forgive with a firm sense of right and wrong, guiding those he loved with both kindness and honesty.

A true “jack-of-all-trades,” Don possessed a powerful work ethic and a rare talent for design and construction. His family also relied on his sharp mind for medical insights, jokingly referring to him as “Dr. Don” for his ability to find answers to any health-related question.

Don was a proud part of a multi-generational Trona family. He was the son of Ted (class of ’55) and Orrene [Slafter] (class of’54) Murrin, and part of a long line of Murrins who attended Trona High School.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Trona on July 5, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Friends and community members wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to Melissa Wollard via Facebook. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

California soda ash producer to close plants

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THe following article is from ACS weekly Chem.& Engineering News:

California soda ash producer to close plants

The inorganic chemical producer Searles Valley Minerals (SVM) is idling its soda ash and boric acid facilities in Trona and Argus, California, saying it cannot compete in international markets with overseas producers, particularly ones in China. International business accounts for about 60% of SVM’s sales. The firm also blames the high cost of energy and regulatory compliance in California. The plant shutdowns will affect about 300 employees involved in making the inorganic chemicals, which SVM extracts from below Searles Lake, a dry lake in the Mojave Desert. SVM says mineral operations will continue at its Westend, California, plant, where it produces sodium sulfate and sodium borate. SVM, which is one of only two US makers of boron products, notes that the US Geological Survey added boron to its list of critical minerals last year. SVM has been owned since 2007 by the Indian soda ash producer Nirma.—Michael McCoy

Support the Trona High School Band Students!

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The band students have launched a raffle fundraiser to attend the Music Learning Foundation camp this summer. This camp is a vital opportunity for our students to expand their musical talents, and we would truly appreciate your support.

Raffle Highlights: We are raffling off four fantastic prizes thanks to the generosity of:

  • Alonzo Cisneros’ Grandma (Handmade Piñatas)

  • Casa Corona & The Pizza Factory

  • Ridgecrest Cinemas & Sierra Lanes Bowling

  • Dutch Bros & Walmart

Please note: This fundraiser is independently organized and not a Trona High School-sponsored event. Winners must be able to pick up their prizes.

Searles Valley Scholarship Foundation – Give Your Class Year Campaign

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No matter where life has taken us, we will always be Tornadoes.

We painted the T on the mountain.

We defended our class year on the rock.

We walked the halls of our original high school and built friendships that lasted far beyond graduation.

When the earthquakes shook our town, we felt it. When the old high school came down, we felt that too. But Trona has never been defined by what we lose. We are defined by how we stand together and rebuild.

Today, students walk the halls of a brand new high school. A new building. The same Tornado grit.

Now, there is a graduating senior ready to step into their next chapter, and we have the opportunity to stand behind them.

The Searles Valley Scholarship Foundation is raising funds to provide a scholarship to a Trona High School senior headed to college, and we are inviting alumni to rally once again through the Give Your Year Challenge.

🎓 How It Works

Donate in the amount of your graduation year:

Class of 1988 → $19.88

Class of 1999 → $19.99

Class of 2007 → $20.07