Finding Beauty in Isolation on a Solo Road Trip From Los Angeles

Exploring California's desert landscapes and desolate backroads with 35mm film camera in hand and no set agenda

Finding Beauty in Isolation on a Solo Road Trip From Los Angeles

Author

Madeline Tolle

Photographer

Madeline Tolle

Camera

Canon 5d Mark III, Canon Elan II

Film

Kodak Portra 400

words and photography by Madeline Tolle

I ended up out in LA with a few days to kill midweek a while back. Equipped with a tent, a couple of cameras, and a box of cliff bars, I set out on a solo road trip up Route 395. My route was determined as I went, popping about all the “green” map areas I could find. I was in search of some fresh air, and hopefully a hot spring or two, but no real plans beyond that. I’ve always found road trips with the loosest plans end up working out best.

As anyone out West this winter can attest, they’ve had some wild weather, and my trip certainly fell victim as well, as I caught a gnarly storm over the Sierras that dropped loads of snow in the mountains and tons of rain in the valley. The weather seemed to dictate the trip more than me. I was treated to a sunrise rainbow over the Alabama Hills, and snowed out roads at what seemed like every other turn.

Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-5

Being alone, soaked by rain, and admittedly unprepared for anything that even resembled winter weather, I made it to Keough Hot Springs before deciding to reroute and head southeast to the one place where I knew it’d be dry—Death Valley. I spent the rest of the week zig zagging across the desert and hiking all the canyon trails I could find. I hadn’t necessarily started my adventure seeking isolation, but by the end I had certainly found it.

In just a few days on the road, I had experienced more geographical features and weather patterns than I ever could have imagined for such a small part of California. I left feeling like I had just barely scratched the surface, and now can’t wait to get back for more.

Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-1
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-2
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-3
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-4
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-6
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-7
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-9
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-10
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-12
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-17
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-16
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-19
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-22
Madeline-Solo-Road-Trip-23
Related articles
Lightship Launches Solar-Powered Electric RV Trailer for Extended Travel
The Lightship L1 is Blazing an Electric Trail for the RV Renaissance

With a contemporary design and functional innovation at its core, the L1 is redefining what the category of RVs and fifth wheel campers

Car Awning Guide: The 10 Best for Car Camping & Overlanding
The 10 Best Car Awnings for Car Camping & Overlanding

From quick set-ups to 270-degree coverage, these car awnings are ready for any adventure

Searching for Solitude and Superblooms in California's Carrizo Plain
Searching for Solitude and a Superbloom in Southern California

One photographer drove to her favorite solitary slice of wilderness to document The Golden State's historic wildflower superbloom

20 Film Photos from 4 Days of Hiking in Zion National Park
20 Film Photos from 4 Days of Hiking in Zion National Park

Desert season is here—here's a glimpse of the beloved park and its searing natural landscapes via the lens of one intrepid Los Angeles photographer

Q&A: Eva zu Beck on Solo Travel, How to Plan for Big Adventures & More
YouTuber, World Traveler & Overlander Eva zu Beck Doesn't Want Your Advice

The famous YouTuber shares what not to leave in the comments, overlanding highs and lows, and what she really thinks about Yellowstone National Park

13 Outdoorsy Things to Do in South Dakota
South Dakota Needs to Be on Your Adventure Radar—Here's 13 Reasons Why

Hike the Black Hills, see the Badlands, discover mammoth bones and T-Rex fossils, tour real wild west towns, and more in the Mount Rushmore State

More articles
Finding Beauty in Isolation on a Solo Road Trip From Los Angeles

Gallery Mode

Photographer

Madeline Tolle

Camera

Canon 5d Mark III, Canon Elan II

Film

Kodak Portra 400

Back to article