Leonard Knight mural in Slab City

Salvation Mountain sits at the entrance of Slab City, a squatter village in the California desert near the Salton Sea.

It was created, transformed and maintained by Leonard Knight (1931-2014) over nearly 3 decades. He moved to Slab City in 1984, with the original intent of flying a homemade balloon.

He built the mountain out of hay stacks, desert trees, and mud, then covered everything with thousands of gallons of paint.

The area had some good artwork. Our favorites were this hand and the big background piece by Christina Angelina x Ease One.

Full moon rolling down a power line.

Mural of Leonard Knight overlooking his Salvation Mountain in the distance.

We both had the pleasure of meeting Leonard on earlier trips and thought it would be fitting to paint a tribute to him and his work with our time camping for free in the desert.

Detail.

Detail of Leonard, a face full of color seemed appropriate to match how colorful his work was.

An aqueduct on the border of town is the only escape from the heat. Which was truly intense, even in March. We felt like we were melting all week.

The idea that Leonard was out there in the summer sun for almost thirty years, painting the mountain, seemed unimaginable.

As an off the grid squatter village, there are no utilities. All the potable water is imported.

We have been visiting Slab for years. It continues to be a truly unique place. Lots of good, little bad. The Freedom attracts all types.
There are good times to be had with good people.
On the other hand, without being careful, your stuff can get stolen.