Salvation Mountain is in an area referred to as “Slab City”, in Niland, not far from the Salton Sea. Slab City used to be the training grounds for the Marines back in 1942, but when operations ceased a few years later, the buildings were removed and sold. Since then, it remains abandoned with only cement foundations, hence the name “Slab City”. Today, RV campers occupy the area mostly in the winter months. Be what it may, when you ride up to it, it feels completely random and odd; Like walking through a weird dream.
We only encountered one other couple on our visit to Salvation Mountain. I guess there are some perks of going in the dreaded summer heat because I’ve read you can battle up to 100 people in the winter and well, it just wouldn’t have been the same.
Salvation Mountain was built by Leonard Knight who is currently 82 years old and resides in a nursing home in San Diego. He has volunteers that rotate watch on his mountain and are available to ask questions to if going up to a seemingly abandoned trailer in the middle of nowhere is your thing. And, you better believe, it’s my thing.
You can read about Leonard Knight by clicking here and more about the history of the mountain by clicking here.
YES.
Love that picture (third one from bottom) of Janet smiling. So genuine. I’ve seen lots of pictures of Salvation Mountain, never been. Very eerie. Like walking through a dream, as you said. Going to check out those links now.
Lovely! I would looove to visit Salvation Mountain.
Such a fascinating place. Keep the vacation pics coming… I like to live vicariously, and also, they have been stellar 🙂
These pictures are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing!