Introduction:
What? :
Salvation
Mountain is a small hillside landscape art sculpture created by Leonard Knight
(1931–2014) in the area known as “Slab City”, California Desert area of
Imperial County, several miles south from the Salton Sea.
Slab City is an
unincorporated un-organized community formed on public land. It known for
attracting people who want to live outside mainstream society.
Slab City is also
a popular destination for artists, musicians, and other creative types.
If you are
looking for a unique and off-the-grid visit experience, then Slab City is the
perfect visit destination for you.
Where? :
located south
of the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California.
From Indio drive
60 miles south on highway 111, you will reach the small community of Niland,
here you need to turn left into Main St. keep driving out of the town for 3
miles, you will get into Slab City. Soon after and you will see the Salvation
Mountain on your right.
Google Map Link
Nearby Destinations:
- South East California Desert:
- Painted and Ladder Canyon, Mecca Hills Wilderness, California
- Bombay Beach and Salton Sea (CA)
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park:
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (CA)
- Wind Cave - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (CA)
- Lower Coyote Canyon - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (CA)
- Ricardo Breceda Metal Sculptures - Borrego Springs (CA)
When? :
Summer is very hot
(~110f mid-day), so you better visit here during to colder month of the year.
Due note 1: There is a gas
service in Niland.
Due note 2: When visiting
here, enjoy the art & sculptures but remember that people call this place home,
respect the local people and do not trespass.
Due note 3: There is no
walk involved with visiting here, you park just at the mountain, but this is a
hot desert environment, make sure to have with you water and sunscreen.
Due note 4: Although far
away in the desert, Salvation Mountain is relatively “famous” and a popular
tourist destination.
Due note 5: Salvation
Mountain is a work of art and God worship place, please be respectful. Follow the
sign and respect when stating not to climb or enter.
Due note 6: When I was
here (April 2023) there was a local volunteer that explain about the location and
history of the place, he also pointed me to nearby open art location, East Jesus.
Due note 7: You can donate
to the people that keeping this site active and maintaining the painting.
My thoughts:
I wanted to
visit and see Salvation Mountain after seeing it in few YouTube movies.
I visit here
after visiting Bombay Beach and on my way to Anza-Borrego.
This was fun
place to visit, I especially enjoy visiting here East Jesus open garden of sculptures
and artwork. Do not miss this site when you are here.
The visit:
Your visit will
start at the Salvation Mountain site:
Salvation Mountain:
Salvation
Mountain is a small hillside landscape art sculpture created by Leonard Knight
(1931–2014) in the area known as “Slab City”, California Desert area of
Imperial County, several miles from the Salton Sea.
Knight began
work on his Salvation Mountain project in 1988.
He started from
the small hillside and added bulks of straw to create a large-scale sculpture
of a mountain covered in religious items and signs.
With using a
lot of paint, he created the art that include features like large heart,
flowers, and Bible verses. They are using some of the empty paint cans as part
of the art.
Knight worked
on Salvation Mountain for over 20 years, he believed that Salvation Mountain
was a way to spread his message of love and hope.
In recent years
the mountain became a popular tourist destination, people are coming to see
this site in the “middle of nowhere”.
Knight died in
2014, but Salvation Mountain remains a popular destination and the restoration
and improving works continue by group of local volunteers.
East Jesus:
There is another
interesting place to visit while you are here: East Jesus open garden of sculptures
and artwork.
From Salvation
Mountain keep driving on the main road to it end, you will see the sing, left
to East Jesus right to Library.
Turn left here
and soon you will take another turn left, after very short drive you will see
the entrance to East Jesus to your left, right after the airplane sculpture.
There is a
small parking lot for visitors.
This place is
being used by artist community to create art from anything they can find.
Many interesting
sculptures and art elements.
Walk around and
enjoy the place.
You can donate
to help them keep with their artwork.
Slab City:
Slab City is an
unincorporated community in Imperial County, California. It took its name from the
concrete slabs that remained after the Marine Corps Camp was torn down.
Slab City is formed
on public land, known for attracting people who want to live outside mainstream
society. When visiting here please respect their privacy, you are a guest in the
place they call home.
The community
is self-governed and has no police or fire department.
Residents are
responsible for their own safety and security.
There is no water
or sewer service.
Slab City is a
place where people can come to be themselves and to live their lives “off-grid”
on their own terms.
www:
https://www.salvationmountain.us/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvation_Mountain
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slab_City,_California
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