Well, now.  This Mudhole Entry does not comply with the general Mudhole Rules.....This is not a discrete Mudhole Location, nor is this entry driven by a Mudhole-sanctioned accommodation. 

There is this wedge of high desert bounded to the west by the Eastern Sierras, to the east by Death Valley, embracing Owens Valley (whose water was stolen by Los Angeles), and extending south to Mohave.  This area should be home to a great Mudhole but is not.

Nonetheless, Mudhole points of interest do exist, and we'll take them South-to-North.

Location Number One.....Rosamond.  The western entrance to Edwards Air Force Base and home to the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound.  You're on your own for Edwards, but to reach E.F.B.C., proceed west on Rosamond Boulevard several miles, turn right on Mohave/Tropico Road.  Follow the signs.  Tropico, by the way, is a fenced off Ghost Town and gold mine (available for movie shoots).

E.F.B.C. is wonderfully-maintained -- but a good-sized population of large cats equates to an overpowering odor of C-A-T----P-E-E.  The Compound hosts many leopards, lynx, and other cats.  http://www.cathouse-fcc.org and http://www.wildcatzoo.org

Location Number Two.....Mohave.  This is a commercial airliner graveyard.  ("Welcome to Mohave -- Home of Spaceship One").  Lunch suggestion:  Mike's Roadhouse Cafe, right on the highway as it roars through town.

Location Number Three.....Red Rock Canyon State Park.  31 miles west of Ridgecrest.  Home to Red-Legged Asian Partridge (known locally as "Chuckers").  Park at the Ricardo visitor center.  $5.00/day for parking (have change).  While not well-marked, there is a trail to adjacent ridgelines with nice views.  Rountrip hiking time is about one hour.  Available maps aren't very helpful.

Location Number Four.....Randsburg, with a strong attraction to off-road enthusiasts.  There is a Desert Tortoise Natural Area someplace to the southwest if you can find it.  ("Visit during April or September to see the Desert Tortoise active!")

Location Number Five.....Trona Pinnacles.  30 miles east of Ridgecrest, on a five mile gravel washboard road.  This is the Searles Lake bed.  The structures are Tufa pinnacles (comprised of calcium carbonate).

Location Number Six.....Ridgecrest.  60 miles northeast of Mohave.  Be careful in navigating between California 14 and US 395 (there are fewer east-west connections than one might think).  Known as "Crumville" until incorporated in 1963.  Home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake.  And the Maturango Museum for those so inclined.

Location Number Seven.....Inyokern.  12 miles west of Ridgecrest.  Best area choice for dinner:  The Homestead.  2 miles north of Highway 178 on Highway 14.  760.377.4094

Location Number Eight.....Fossil Falls.  Black lava cliffs.  Owens river water used to create picturesque 40' high waterfalls here.

Location Number Nine.....Olancha.  The Ranch House seems popular for lunch.  This is the southern boundary of the Owens Lake Bed.  Crystal Geyser has a large plant here, I guess sucking up the drops of Lake Owens that L.A.D.W.P. hasn't already got.

Location Number Ten.....Lone Pine.  60 miles north of Ridgecrest.  Portal to Mt. Whitney.  Northern boundary of Owens Lake Bed.

Location Number Eleven.....Manzanar.  Internment camp for more than 10,000 Japanese during World War II.  www.nps.gov/manz  760.878.2194  Soul consoling tower,  Camouflage netting factory.

Location Number Twelve.....Independence.  www.Stillifecafe.com (2 L's not 3) for excellent French cuisine; sometimes open for lunch.  Eastern California Museum (open Wednesday through Sunday)  760.878.0258.

Winneduma (translates to "Stay Right Where You Are!")  Built in 1927 and located on highway 395 in the heart of the Owens Valley.  24 guest rooms; most (but not all) rooms have private baths.  In 2001, the dining room was advertised as being open; it is not now (just open for an expanded continental breakfast).