surfponto

all messages by user

9/8/2011
Topic:
Cameron Valley

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Looks like a great area for exploring
9/12/2011
Topic:
Lights out

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Since the Southwest Powerlink and Sunrise Powerlink home-run to the same Imperial Valley Substation the Sunrise Powerlink would not have helped in this situation.
there is a pretty good Sign-On-San-Diego Article that discusses this a bit.



dsefcik wrote:
It has to be all tied together somehow..just IMHO...

edited by surfponto on 9/12/2011
<em>edited by surfponto on 9/12/2011</em>
9/13/2011
Topic:
Lights out

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
That is the consensus David,
It is too bad this project got pushed through.


hikerdmb wrote:
Thanks for that link Bob. I agree with your comment about saving us $100,000,000. That will never happen. Once it is built they will keep charging the same or more not only for the electricity but also to transmit that power on the new lines.
David
9/26/2011
Topic:
Sad News about Jerry Schad

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Was very sad to learn of his passing.
Will miss his Roam-O-Rama columns in the SD Reader.


Bob


hikerdmb wrote:
Jerry Schad died last Thursday. I am sure most people on this site have used his books. Many of my hikes over the years came straight from Afoot and Afield in San Diego, starting with my first solo climb of Sombrero Peak so many years ago I don't even want to think about it. RIP Jerry. Your words will live on.

David

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/22/hiking-writer-jerry-schad-dies/
9/26/2011
Topic:
Sad News about Jerry Schad

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Have you guys seen this?

The Coast to Crest Trail shall be titled The Jerry Schad Trail

<em>edited by surfponto on 9/27/2011</em>
9/27/2011
Topic:
Rock Art Photos

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Great idea consolidating all your rock art pics into one area.


dsefcik wrote:
I started to compile my photos of different rock art and have some petroglyphs and Yoni's posted. I still need to add my pictographs and cupules.

You can see both here http://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Rock-Art

These are not ABDSP only, they include photos from many different locations but many are from ABDSP.

Daren
9/30/2011
Topic:
The House Forgotten

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Wow that is awesome Daren,
You nailed it. Even your camera angle is the same as the angle Marshall South used to paint it.
Great find


dsefcik wrote:
In the 1945 July Desert Refuge article written by Marshal South he describes an old Indian rock shelter they discover on one of their many exploration trips out into the desert area. In the Marshal South Book, the oldest son Rider South also recalls his father referring to it as "The Fortress" since it appeared to have many smaller shelters built up all around the main shelter providing what appeared to be a protected fortress.

On a recent hiking/exploration trip out into the open desert over the centuries old sun baked volcanic rocks I stumbled across this very shelter. I was not aware at the time what I had found but later a person with more knowledge about the area and the Marshal South history pointed it out to me. I later went back and read the article by Marshal South published almost 66 years ago and was amazed to see the resemblance of the rock shelter and how a few of the plants sketched by Marshal South were still growing in the same spot I had photographed.

Here is the sketch Marshal South drew in the 1945 article


Here is the photograph I took in July 2011


http://www.sefcik.com/2011/09/house-forgotten-abdsp.html

Daren
edited by dsefcik on 9/28/2011
9/30/2011
Topic:
The *new* Desert Magazine online

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I may have to pick those up.
Works great on my iPad



dsefcik wrote:
I have not seen this website before, it appears to have (or will have) all of the old back issues of the original Desert Magazine available for download in PDF format or you can buy a DVD for $10 with all of them on it.

http://desertmagazine.net

<em>edited by surfponto on 9/30/2011</em>
10/1/2011
Topic:
The *new* Desert Magazine online

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey that worked great on my Mac
Considering I am not a UNIX guy I am impressed I got it to work ;-)


dsefcik wrote:
With wget you can grab all of them at once.

wget -r -l1 --no-parent -A.pdf http://mydesertmagazine.com/files/
10/1/2011
Topic:
The *new* Desert Magazine online

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Yep,

Apple is the king of UI

Now I have all of the Desert Magazines
Thanks for the tip

dsefcik wrote:
That PDF bookshelf on the iPad looks pretty sweet...go eye candy! I see you have the 1945 July edition....
10/1/2011
Topic:
Kumeyaay Article in LA Times

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks Daren
Very well written article.
Pretty amazing story. I have wanted to vist the San Juarez Mtns. in Baja for quite some time,
Bob

dsefcik wrote:
A couple of great articles about the Kumeyaay and local Baja Kumeyaay still living today.

This is the actual article
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-kumeyaay-20110927,0,6784675.story?page=1


And this is the article summary with a video
http://framework.latimes.com/2011/09/26/kumeyaay/

Daren
10/5/2011
Topic:
Whale Peak Backpack Possibility

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Have a good time and watch out for bees wink
Hope you get some good pictures up there.

Looks like I am here for the next couple of weekends due to a beer making class smile

Bob

dsefcik wrote:
hikerdmb wrote:
Have a great time. Looks like the weather will be terrific. It looks like it may rain up there (Whale Peak) this week which will make the views very nice after the storm passes through. Looks like almost exactly one year since you started this plan but I bet it will be worth it. If it is windy, there is a nice campsite on the western edge of the summit plateau that is protected from the wind by rocks and trees. We stayed there one night when it rained and the wind was howling over our heads but hardly a whisper in the campsite. It also has a nice large, somewhat flat rock for relaxing and enjoying the views to the west.

We are heading back to the Sierra for 5 days to check out the fall colors. Hopefully the snow will end in the Sierra on Thursday, then it is supposed to be cold but sunny for the next few days. Can't wait to get back up there. When we return it will definitely be time to get back out into the desert.
David


Thanks for tip on the campsite David, my tentative plans take into account the weather and my work schedule (which has not afforded me much more than a few two day trips this summer). Last year when I hiked half way up it was in the high 90's (that was in Oct) and there are no water sources along the way. I am jealous of the Sierra trip, have a great time. I did not get out to Death Valley this summer, first time in years and I am feeling withdrawal symptoms.

Have fun on your trip,
Daren
10/5/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Anyone planning on heading out to Borrego Days 2011 on the October 22-23?

Mary and I are planning on going. I want to check out the new dragon sculpture at Galleta Meadows.
There is also a cool exhibit called Jaws at the Stout Research Hall that is suppose to have some pretty cool fossils.

If anyone is heading out let me know and maybe we can meet up.

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 10/5/2011</em>
10/5/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Cool thanks Daren,

May have to check out the book signing...
10/5/2011
Topic:
Indian Hill and RR Camp area

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
From the pics you were really close TR.
I love that area. Daren and I did a day hike out there (in reverse) a while ago.
It is amazing at what you can find out there.
Bob

hikerdmb wrote:
Looks like it was a great day. You are right not to worry about finding those things on your first trip out there because now you have a reason to return and give it another shot. Once you find one piece of pottery you can't help but find more. That is a great area to keep going back to visit. And now that the weather is changing it is even better.
David
10/5/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011 Poll

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Quick Poll to see how many people will be attending the 46th Annual Borrego Days 2011 Festival on October 22-23


<em>edited by surfponto on 10/5/2011</em>
10/6/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011 Poll

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Bump...smile
10/8/2011
Topic:
Indian Hill and RR Camp area

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
You could always put side-steps on it once you lift it smile

33s give you a lot of clearance and make 4-wheeling pretty easy. (At least the 4-Wheeling we do)
We went with the OME lift for our 80 Series and the ride is much better than stock.

When yo decide to lift it give my friend Mike at West Coast Cruisers a call.
He has a great price on the kit,

Bob






TR wrote:
Daren;

I took the Land Cruiser. It's stock. I haven't had it lifted yet.
I know the section that you are talking about. And I intentionally wanted to see if my 4 WD training would pay off, because I bypassed it on my trip in June. (There's a road around it from Mortero Wash road) Well, I made it through in both directions without any damage.

I pondering lifting the Land Cruiser. I have to lift it 2 1/2 inches to put 33's on it. (It running stock 31's right now). But I so short, it is all I can do to climb up in it now. I don't know how I'll get in it if I lift it 2 1/2 or 3 inches.
10/13/2011
Topic:
Whale Peak / Inner Pasture / Goat Cyn Trestle

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Wow Daren,
What an amazing weekend you had out there. What was cool was that it was like 3 different rips in one weekend.

The skull is crazy!!
I am really interested in doing the MTB ride but will have to get a bike first.

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 10/13/2011</em>
10/13/2011
Topic:
The *new* Desert Magazine online

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I was under the impression that those PDFs were scanned in as images so you couldn't pull text out for a search.
Am I completely clueless?

Its' OK to say yes Whaaaaa?


dsefcik wrote:
I am not sure about Windows or Mac but on my Linux/UNIX computer I would just do this:

for f in *.pdf; do pdftotext "$f" - | grep -i linux; done

to search for the word "linux" in all of the pdf files in the current directory.

There seems to be a Mac package you can install for pdftotext here http://www.bluem.net/en/mac/packages/

I have not used it since I don't have a mac..use at your own risk.

I will search for Rock House in my collection when I get home tonight.
edited by dsefcik on 10/13/2011
10/13/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011 Poll

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Santa Barbara sounds like a great option
Love it up there this time of year :-)
10/14/2011
Topic:
The *new* Desert Magazine online

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I do a lot of .Net programming and may try to write a custom grep app like this

CSharp WinGrep

Bob
10/19/2011
Topic:
New Topo Maps App for the iPhone

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Just found a really good iPhone GPS app that let's you download free topo maps to your phone .
This is cool because you won't need a network (WiFi or 3G) to view the maps once you are out in the outback.

Will play around with it this coming weekend when we head out to Borrego for "Borrego Days"

Link to Topo Maps

10/20/2011
Topic:
New Topo Maps App for the iPhone

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Oh man that Y2K story is funny smile

The App is called Topo Maps and works really good on the new iPhone 4S since it is much faster than the old iPhone.
I already downloaded all of the maps for Anza Borrego.

Now I wish I would have bought the 64GB phone and not the 16GB phone. Whaaaaa?
10/23/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
We just got back from a quick overnight trip out to Borrego Springs for Borrego Days. No camping this time, but we got to stay our friends rancho style house which sits in a valley below Indian Head.
Will post a quick report soon
Borrego Days / Galleta Meadows Photo Album

<em>edited by surfponto on 10/23/2011</em>
10/25/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Love the distance shot of the dragon. Looks awesome.
Don't you just love how the Land Cruiser looks totally at home in the Desert? smile
10/25/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
dsefcik wrote:
Hey Bob, is that a new bumper and winch on your Toyota??



I wish smile
You are giving me ideas though smile
10/29/2011
Topic:
Desert Pavement

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Good angle on that shot.
Have to start looking at the calendar to do a weekend trip out there


dsefcik wrote:
Desert Pavement near Ocotillo

10/30/2011
Topic:
From the Unpublished Series

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Really nice
D-Stretch is awesome
10/31/2011
Topic:
Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series Snorkel Install

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I decided to install a snorkel on my Borrego beast.
You can follow the story by clicking the image smile

<em>edited by surfponto on 10/31/2011</em>
10/31/2011
Topic:
Toyota LandCruiser 80 Series Snorkel Install

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
What is nice about the Toyota snorkel is that it is a bit shorter than the ARB

Yep, I have the ARB awning attached to my Thule racks.

I usually have the tent up there too but we took it off for the summer.


Bob
11/2/2011
Topic:
Borrego Days 2011

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Ouch.
Expensive for those.
What were the symptoms?

Bob
11/2/2011
Topic:
Indian Hill, again.

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Great Trip Report. Your pictures are great. It looks like you were really close to the Railroad Construction Camp which is a bit South East of Indian Hill
11/5/2011
Topic:
Harper Cabin

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Looks like a nice trip David
Rainbow pic is great.

Great video too
The iPhone 4 is amazing smile

Bob

hikerdmb wrote:
Okay Daren, here is the link to the video.
http://youtu.be/r2Y2QtyuHpI

<em>edited by surfponto on 11/5/2011</em>
11/5/2011
Topic:
New tires

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Nice!!
I put a set on Mary's Tacoma.
What a huge difference in handling especially off-road.

She complains that they killed her mileage though :-(
Can't win them all
11/15/2011
Topic:
Indian Hill Trip

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Great trip report.
I have been up to that little rock enclosure on top of the hill. Pretty cool.

Love the tarantula shot also. Scary looking but they are actually pretty docile, especially when it is cold. smile
Bob
11/15/2011
Topic:
fire last summer in Anza B?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Funny, we were just talking about doing a hike up to Cougar Cyn in the coming weeks.
I have not heard if the fire has affected those areas though.

Daren may know more.....
11/15/2011
Topic:
Rain

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey Daren,

What is Slab City like?
I remember seeing that in the movie about Christopher McCandless
11/18/2011
Topic:
From the Unpublished Series

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey how did you get those :-)

dsefcik wrote:
Some pieces of the Serpent sculpture in progress


--
11/27/2011
Topic:
From the Unpublished Series

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I love those little guys smile

dsefcik wrote:
Pocket Mouse in Indian Valley North Fork

11/29/2011
Topic:
Alma Wash

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
That looks like a great trip with your son Daren,
Wonder what the story with the lamb was?

I agree with David that your night pictures are getting really good.

Hoping to get out again in a couple weeks

Bob
12/6/2011
Topic:
From the Unpublished Series

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Awesome.

OK you have my interest, what is Stellarium?

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 12/6/2011</em>
12/9/2011
Topic:
Lunar Eclipse This Saturday

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
What time is that suppose to happen Daren?
dsefcik wrote:
Anybody going to try and photograph or view the lunar eclipse this Saturday? I am trying to pick a good viewing spot in San Diego to photograph, any suggestions?
12/9/2011
Topic:
From the Unpublished Series

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks for the links everyone.
Nice to see that it is open source and not just for Linux wink
(That is a jab at Daren)
12/11/2011
Topic:
Lunar Eclipse This Saturday

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Nice
I only saw the tail end of it over the ocean
Bunch of people had gotten up early to check it out
12/16/2011
Topic:
Ghost Mountain Thanksgiving

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey Daren
Any pics of the airplane wreckage :-)
Bob
12/16/2011
Topic:
Truck Camper

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks for posting your truck/camper setup.
Have always wanted something similar but now we are in Land Cruiser /Rooftop tent mode smile

Someday when my wife will let me I want to put a 4-Wheel Pop Up camper on her Tacoma


I have to fix this forum software and the way it handles uploaded files. Seems to truncate them.
Welcome to the forum,
Bob


anutami wrote:
Great Way to explore ABDSP is by Truck Camper and a 4x4 truck. These make great base camps, and can get virtually anywhere through the park. I have been all the way through Fish Creek to Sanstone Canyon, Pinyon MTN Rd, Pinyon Wash, Indian Canyon, June Wash, Oriflamme Canyon, and Mine Wash.
edited by anutami on 12/15/2011

<em>edited by surfponto on 12/16/2011</em>
12/16/2011
Topic:
Truck Camper

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Currently the best way to embed pics is to link to them with the image option

This requires they are uploaded to a server somewhere (Picasa - Google) or some of the other free one's.

For some reason the file upload functionality does not work that great upset





anutami wrote:
Thanks for the welcome, came across this forum researching a trip to Cougar Canyon we are looking to do after xmas. Looks like this forum is right up my alley as I do approx 5-10 trips to ABDSP a year. Still trying to figure out how to post better pictures as I am not that computer savy.
!

edited by surfponto on 12/16/2011
<em>edited by surfponto on 12/16/2011</em>
12/21/2011
Topic:
New user-New Years Options

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I second the Mortero Wash area . That is one of my favorite places to camp next to Indian Valley and Carrizo Gorge.
Some of the camping areas are a bit higher than the S2 so you have a nice morning sunrise view.



There are also a lot of fun boulders to climb on and explore.

Thanks for the website compliments. I need to do some serious updates which I plan to do over the next few months.
I may even try to update this forum so it is a little more user friendly

Bob
edited by surfponto on 12/21/2011
edited by surfponto on 12/21/2011
<em>edited by surfponto on 12/21/2011</em>
12/21/2011
Topic:
ABDSP vs death valley NP

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I know Daren who frequents this forum spent some time there.
He would be best one to answer your question.
My one trip I did to Death Valley in the Winter a few years back got so cold that we shortened our trip. upset


anutami wrote:
I am going to have seven days and debating whether or not to spend it at ABDSP or making the trek to death valley. I have never been to death Valley national park. Just curious to all those reading this what you would do.

<em>edited by surfponto on 12/21/2011</em>
12/31/2011
Topic:
Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Spent the day exploring some of the mud caves we have not visited before.
These include E-Ticket and Carey's Big Mud Cave.
Awesome time. Carey's Mud Cave has ceilings 70' tall !




Link to album
edited by surfponto on 1/2/2012
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/2/2012</em>
1/2/2012
Topic:
Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Have you been to Carey's Big Mud Cave?
I was blown away by how big it is.
On the opposite end of the spectrum , E-Ticket is very tight and requires a LOT of crawling smile

Pictures Link

dsefcik wrote:
Looks cool, I like the mud cracks shot. Sorry we couldn't hook up, we probably drove right past each other.

edited by surfponto on 1/2/2012
edited by surfponto on 1/2/2012
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/2/2012</em>
1/2/2012
Topic:
Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Does the link work for you now?
Bob
1/2/2012
Topic:
Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Let me know your plans.
Wouldn't mind heading out again.
Bob

dsefcik wrote:
yeah, looks good...you got me looking at my maps of the caves now and am thinking of heading out there soon...thanks!

surfponto wrote:
Does the link work for you now?
Bob
1/3/2012
Topic:
ABDSP vs death valley NP

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I am impressed by how you took your vehicle with the huge camper on those trails. smile
You have got be thinking about picking up a camper for my wife's Tacoma at some point
I like these but they are very expensive.
Bob




anutami wrote:
Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.
1/3/2012
Topic:
Dolomite Mine

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks for sharing that. Have drove by that sign numerous times and have never checked it out...


dsefcik wrote:
Here is a panorama shot from the mine of the McCain Valley, Laguna Mtns and some of the other southern mountain ranges. If you look closely you can see the McCain Valley pinnacle rock and also the Laguna observatory.

Click this link for the full size version (18mb)

1/3/2012
Topic:
Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves Trip Report

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Wrote up a quick Trip Report about our Arroyo Tapiado Mud caves trip.

I really like that area although I think the best time is mid-week when it isn't so crowded.
1/3/2012
Topic:
Carrizo Canyon Road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
You can actually drop down that little sand hill and go probably another couple hundred yards or so.
Mary usually stops me before than but I have done it a few times in the LandCruiser

Better to stop where you said Daren.

Welcome to the forum hvydrt smile





dsefcik wrote:
OK, Cal Topo is cool, thanks!

This is where we parked last time I believe Cal Topo Map

<em>edited by surfponto on 1/3/2012</em>
1/6/2012
Topic:
New Years Trip-Scratching the Surface

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Sounds like a great trip. I love that whole Dos Cabezas/Indian Hill area. Lots to explore.

As far as Inner Pasture camping and I will wait for Daren to chime in smile but since a lot of it is actually BLM land I believe camping is fine.
I think they give you a 7 day limit or something like that.

Best,
Bob


DRT Lakeside wrote:
Hi All,

Thanks for the advice on places to check out over the New Years weekend. We managed to squeeze in numerous day trips and reconnoiter several places to go back and visit when there is more time. The down side of that strategy is that we only spent enough time in one place to wet our whistle for more.

We managed to locate the cave/shelter on Indian Hill and spent some time checking out the hill a little. Very impressive and I would like to go back and "explore" more, as well as check out the RR camp. Makes me wonder how many similar Native American sites are out there waiting to be found for the first time smile The campfire remains are still there and look the same as in other pics on this site.

We also hiked up through Moonlight Canyon all the way to Inner Pasture. We did not go into the Inner Pasture, but ate some snacks and hung out a while before heading back down Moonlight. I was really hoping to see some sheep, (their droppings were everywhere, some quite fresh) but we were skunked this time. Watched a couple Red Tailed Hawks for a while and saw a few lizards but that was it. No people.
Later on the same day, we headed out Indian Gorge and into the south fork all the way to the end. What a pretty place... No one in the camp spot at the end, so we checked out the palms, scrambled around on the boulders and just enjoyed the solitude.

Another day we drove out to the end of one fork (west?) of June Wash just to see what was there. Hiked around and explored a little. Only a few people camping along the wash, but we did see a park ranger near far end of the wash--she was heading back out. I wonder if that is part of their rounds, or they just do a "head count" occasionally.

All in all a successful trip, we checked out a lot of places, the samurai didn't break down, and now we have more info about some sites for future/return trips. Cant wait to go back

I am working to convince the wife to do some primitive camping in the area, she loves to hike and explore, but it might be a hard sell. She's a trooper but she doesn't have much interest in tent camping and sleeping in the back of a truck anymore. Those days might be over : )
My brother says he is game, so maybe a trip in the next few weeks, work schedule permitting. I wouldn't mind doing the Indian Valley thing and hiking to the top of Sombrero.

Out of curiosity can you overnight in Inner Pasture? What about the parts that are outside of the park boundaries?

Here is a link to some pics:

link


Happy New Year!

Dave
1/6/2012
Topic:
New Years Trip-Scratching the Surface

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey Dave,
My wife and I took that route to Sombrero Peak a few years back

Like Daren says it is short , but pretty steep in places.
Great view of the whole area from the top.

Bob

DRT Lakeside wrote:
The remains I saw were at the very end of the S. Fork of Indian Valley, but I did think about the pics you had posted when I saw it, just couldn't remember where your pic was from at the time.

As I look at the map, it seems like Sombrero Peak is about a mile from the end of the S. Fork road, is that a decent place to start from to get there, or is there another place that is more suitable? I know it looks steep, but how steep is it really : )

Dave

<em>edited by surfponto on 1/6/2012</em>
1/8/2012
Topic:
Crooked Neck - Legends of the Cuyamaca Mtns

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks Daren,
Will check that out

Bob


dsefcik wrote:
The one known as the Cuyamaca Peak, acquired the name of
Poo-kwoo-sqwee (Crooked Neck), in the same battle.


For anyone interested in the history of the Kumeyaay and the Cuyamaca Mountains, this is a very interesting read, you can download or read it online from the OpenLibrary online, it was published in 1914. Cuyamaca Peak is an iconic landmark from almost everywhere in San Diego, it is visible from the shorelines to the desert peaks.

OpenLibrary Online Version

Download PDF Version

1/9/2012
Topic:
Eureka, I have found it!

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Love the moon shot
Sound likes a great day Looks likes you got some nice weather

We are heading out to Borrego this Sunday for the day.

Speaking of the moon I
watched the moon "set" over the ocean this AM and it was incredible.

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/10/2012</em>
1/9/2012
Topic:
McCain Valley

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Sad to see that. upset
1/9/2012
Topic:
ABDSP vs death valley NP

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Shoot,
Looks like I may have missed it
Says it was removed


anutami wrote:
Bob, check out this link

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/2789559901.html

looks like a nice truck camper for a great price!


surfponto wrote:
I am impressed by how you took your vehicle with the huge camper on those trails. smile
You have got be thinking about picking up a camper for my wife's Tacoma at some point
I like these but they are very expensive.
Bob




anutami wrote:
Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.
1/10/2012
Topic:
ABDSP vs death valley NP

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Curious how much you air down your tires on the rough washboard?
We aired down our Landcruiser to 10psi on the washboard roads down in Baja and that made a huge difference.
Otherwise it felt like every bolt in the truck was rattling loose Whaaaaa?


anutami wrote:
Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.
1/17/2012
Topic:
Exploring Torote Canyon

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Working on a short Trip Report but here are the pictures from the day.

Exploring Torote Canyon in Anza Borrego
Torote Canyon Trip Report


edited by surfponto on 1/17/2012 : added link to Trip Report
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/18/2012</em>
1/18/2012
Topic:
Exploring Torote Canyon

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hi David,
Yeah the Ocotillo looked great
Some were even blooming. Torote Canyon is nice since it is pretty protected even when the wind is howlling

Bob
hikerdmb wrote:
Glad to see the green on the Ocotillo. Hopefully some of the rain forecast for this week will make it over the mountains.
1/18/2012
Topic:
Exploring Torote Canyon

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Out and back.
We went as far to where the canyon starts to climb up towards Indian Valley.
That is a really nice area.
Some really nice camp spots you could backpack int to.
Bob

dsefcik wrote:
Was this just an out-an-back or did you do a loop hike? My son and I did a loop last year that dropped us out into the North Fork. I am looking at doing a trip someday from Torote that drops out into Canebrake.
1/18/2012
Topic:
Front level kit

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Truck looks great.
I used to run Ranchos on my old Nissan 4X4. They work well.
Bob
1/18/2012
Topic:
Mojave Road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
That looks like a great road trip David.
Lots of driving but it looks like there is a lot to explore out there.
Great pictures.

Do you carry extra gas cans with you?

Bob
1/18/2012
Topic:
Exploring Torote Canyon

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Nice
Guess we should have done the whole loop but we had only planned to hike for a couple hours
We drove over to that Dolomite Mine that you talked about a while back. That was pretty cool

Bob

Bobdsefcik wrote:
When you crest the top area it really opens up into a big sandy wash area, really beautiful up there..yeah, you are right, great place to camp/backpack.

Here is shot from last year up near the sandy area


This shot shows Sombrero Peak


surfponto wrote:
Out and back.
We went as far to where the canyon starts to climb up towards Indian Valley.
That is a really nice area.
Some really nice camp spots you could backpack int to.
Bob

dsefcik wrote:
Was this just an out-an-back or did you do a loop hike? My son and I did a loop last year that dropped us out into the North Fork. I am looking at doing a trip someday from Torote that drops out into Canebrake.
1/18/2012
Topic:
Mojave Road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Ouch!!
I remember when diesel was hitting $5 a few years back.

My wife was like "you bought a diesel to save money?!"


anutami wrote:
Topped the tank at $4.89 a gallon to be sure to have enough to get through about 150 miles off road before we hit the I-15 freeway at Afton Road.

You had it easy, check out the pic, This is the gas station at Furnace Creek in death valley....I have a diesel
1/18/2012
Topic:
Mojave Road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Yeah we tend to carry a couple when we go down to Baja
I am looking into an auxiliary tank.

My friend just installed an OEM tank in his LandCruiser.
I guess in Australia it was a factory option on the Landcruisers

hikerdmb wrote:
My brother brought 10 gallons. There are so many side roads to explore it is good to have extra just in case. I didn't use any but the jeep used one can on the trail.
1/23/2012
Topic:
Jojoba wash dos cabezas road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
You will have no problem on the jeep trails around Dos Cabezas / Jojoba Wash.
There are a couple places, depending on your route that you probably should avoid, but both have alternate routes.

There are some great camp sites in that area.



Pretty much my favorite area to camp smile
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/23/2012</em>
1/24/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Milky Way Time-Lapse

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Has anyone seen this?
Really wonder how he did it?


Anza Borrego Milky Way Time-Lapse
1/24/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Milky Way Time-Lapse

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Guess I should have read his blurb smile

Pretty cool
Looking forward to seeing your pics



dsefcik wrote:
That is way cool! He explains the technique

Both cameras are Canon T3i 600Ds. One was using an 8mm fisheye. The other was using a Tamron 17-50 2.8mm set at 17mm. The star time-lapses were 30 second exposures with the aperture wide open. The 8mm was at 6400 iso and the 17mm was at 3200 iso.

I was out there this last weekend also (more later) and the wind was crazy, the skies were cloudy and the sunrise was amazing. I will post pictures later.

<em>edited by surfponto on 1/24/2012</em>
1/26/2012
Topic:
Round Mountain

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Nice Daren
I always wondered what it was like up there
Will have to check that out on my next trip out to Anza Borrego
Bob
1/27/2012
Topic:
Jojoba wash dos cabezas road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
My iPhone (AT&T) usually works pretty good around Mortero Wash.
Carrizo Gorge on the other hand, not so good.

anutami wrote:
anutami wrote:
Looking to explore the area this weekend and have never been. Looks like many of you guys frequent this section of the park. I am looking to check out Indian hill with my kids and camp in jojoba wash. Am I able to get my truck and camper through these trails? I will usually scout things out before getting my camper in a place I can't get out of.


Also, does anyone know if there is cell coverage in the area? I have AT&T. Thanks
1/27/2012
Topic:
Jojoba wash dos cabezas road

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Wow
Can you send a picture.
That is where we spotted a group of Bighorns a couple years back





anutami wrote:
anutami wrote:
Looking to explore the area this weekend and have never been. Looks like many of you guys frequent this section of the park. I am looking to check out Indian hill with my kids and camp in jojoba wash. Am I able to get my truck and camper through these trails? I will usually scout things out before getting my camper in a place I can't get out of.


Standing at the Indian hill trailhead....bighorn sheep sighting!
1/29/2012
Topic:
Bighorn Sheep at Indian Hill Trailhead

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Awesome shots of the Bighorns on the railroad tracks!!!

Glad you got to experience that.

Bob
1/30/2012
Topic:
Little Blair with the 10" Meade Telescope

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey David,
Looks like you had a great trip. Wylie seems to have a good time camping. Looking forward to seeing Andy's pictures of the stars.

May try to do a mid-week trip in the next couple of weeks. I suspect we will have an earlier flower season this year and would like to scout it out.

Bob
1/30/2012
Topic:
Little Blair with the 10" Meade Telescope

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
The flowers are Desert Apricot and I guess they will actually fruit in late Spring.
1/31/2012
Topic:
Sombrero Peak

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey Dave
If I remember correctly we kind of stayed on the high edge of the gorge and then hooked left when we saw a relatively easy spot.
I believe there was even a "duck" marker when we did our hike to Sombrero Peak a few years back.

Bob

DRT Lakeside wrote:
Going to try Sombrero Peak this weekend with my bro. I have been to the end of the S. Fork of Indian Valley but am not too sure about where to start toward the peak. Should I go up the gorge and work my way toward the peak when appropriate, or is there another more suitable way. It looked to be sort of choked with shrubbery along near the water when I was there around new years.

Thanks and hope the weather holds

Dave
1/31/2012
Topic:
New Bumper

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
That looks awesome.
I have always liked those Suzuki Samurais. Kind of like mini Land Cruisers FJ40s smile

I drove one over in Hawaii for a while and the thing would go anywhere.

Your pic makes me want to pull our old Land Cruiser out of the garage and go wheeling :-)


Me and "MuMu" doing The Squeeze many moons ago

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 1/31/2012</em>
2/1/2012
Topic:
Mini Truck Camper for Tacoma

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Oh man that thing is awesome.
On my want list

Can't believe they fit a shower in there.

Bob

anutami wrote:
Bob, check out this link to the all new 4 wheel pop top camper fully contained!...This thing looks sweet! Makes me want to downsize and go a bit smaller and lighter.

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/tcm-exclusive:-2012-four-wheel-camper-fleet-self-contained/
2/1/2012
Topic:
New Bumper

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Yep you are pretty much committed to doing the Drop Off a little ways down after you do the Squeeze
I guess I have heard of people going back up through the Squeeze the opposite way but that seems crazy and you are bound to do some damage.

A good spotter helps on a lot of that stuff.

Bob

DRT Lakeside wrote:
We had fleeting thought about doing the "Squeeze" in our stock samurai, but thought better of it for now. Doesn't going through the squeeze commit you to Pinyon Mt. Drop Off or something? I looked on YouTube and decided against it, probably a wise decision. I am always a little nervous heading in somewhere I may not be able to get back out of. We are usually by ourselves too. I almost want to check it out on a motorcycle ahead of time just to be sure.

We did go down the "one way" drop off near the volcanic hills area, a few months back, and that was pretty interesting!
It is hard to hear in the commentary, but my wife is saying "This is where it all started to go south!" and then points out how the wheels were up in the air, etc.
link
The samurai is very narrow (and short), so the normal width ruts need to be negotiated a little differently. The little drop off at the top was pretty severe, though it is hard to see in the pic. Fun though smile

I Like the old cruiser a lot, very cool! A friend of ours had one way back with a chevy motor, we called it the "Chevota" and it would go and go as well.

Dave
2/2/2012
Topic:
Milky Way

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I would love to see your pictures so post away when you get back smile
Bob

c00kie22 wrote:
Thank you everyone for your responses! Sorry for my late response, Chinese New Year kept me busy. Culp Valley it is! Hopefully, I can borrow my brother's DSLR and take some great pictures. I'll post them here if they're any good. Thank you again!
2/3/2012
Topic:
Save Palomar Mountain State Park

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Not really Anza Borrego related but this is a beautiful State Park slated to be fully closed on July 1 of 2012

Save Palomar Mountain State Park

Bob
2/3/2012
Topic:
Marshal South Cabin

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Great pictures. Looks like it was a great day. Nice that you had it to yourself smile Going to have to take another trip up there.


Bob

TR wrote:
On Sunday I decided to take a day hike up to the Marshal South Cabin. It was a beautiful day in Blair Valley, and a good day for a climb up Ghost Mountain.

....

<em>edited by surfponto on 2/3/2012</em>
2/5/2012
Topic:
Cougar Canyon Conditions?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Sounds like a good day.
Did you get any pictures of the canyon?
Feel free to post them here

Welcome to the Forum smile



Buford wrote:
Plenty of water from the mouth of cougar up. Fire burned the south side. Didn't make it as far into the canyon as I would have liked, girlfriend isn't too comfortable off trail scrambling. Didn't get a chance to check out sheep canyon either. I'll have to come back.

Lower willows had more water than December.

The road still goes over boulder alley, although I think boulder alley is way more tame than I remember from 15 years ago. Still a tough climb, watched a jeep struggle. I think keeping crowds down is better. Those motivated will find a way.

Thanks for the information, had a great time.
2/6/2012
Topic:
Sombrero Peak

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
You are correct. Carrizo Gorge is the next canyon over past Bow Willow.
I think this is the view you are talking about. The upper wide stretch of sand in picture is Carrizo Gorge


Bob

DRT Lakeside wrote:
Went out for the day today with my brother. We jetted down in the morning and reached the end of S. Fork Indian Valley by about 8:40 and started up toward Sombrero Peak. Everyone was right, there were a lot of ducks, maybe so many that we followed the wrong ones. Not sure : ) We hiked up and along the left "fork" of the draw and in retrospect it may have been easier to veer to the right. It was steeper than I anticipated the entire way, but we made it past the few false peaks and finally arrived at the top in just about 2 hours.
Wow, what great views. The weather was perfect; clear skies, just enough breeze and clear (even cool in the shade when we started). I was not expecting to see the wind turbines near Golden Acorn from the top, but we could just make them out. (the pics on google + seem to lose some detail)

I have a few questions about what we could see from the top when looking back down the valley. Looking back toward the trailhead and S. Indian Valley, what are the two valleys/canyons to the right ((eastish?) I think the nearer one is Bow Willow, and the next one (much wider and sandier looking) east is Carrizo, is that right?
I also noticed on the map that there is a Sombrero Peak Palm Grove, has anyone been there?

Lots of scratches and scrapes, but worth it for the views and experience. Now I think my brother has the desert fever again and is going to come with me more often.

We saw more people than usual along S2, and an orienteering class (it looked like) at the Indian Gorge turnoff. On the way out, there were about 8-10 vehicles camped along the road until we got to the fork and then we didn't see anyone for the rest of the day until we headed back down.
All in all a great day
Here are some pics of the day... link

I wish they were a little clearer but oh well

Dave
2/6/2012
Topic:
Sombrero Peak

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey Dave,
You can read a story I wrote about it a couple of years ago.

Ocotillo Express Wind Farm
The majority of it would be on BLM administered lands on the border of the Park.

Basically another example of privatizing Public Lands.
If you Google "Industrial Wind Farms" you will learn all you need to know about the huge impact such projects have on the environment.






DRT Lakeside wrote:
I was unable to open the link to the facts, but was able to open up your picture(s) and the links from your site. I hope it does not come to fruition. Hard to refute the data in the ppt.

I subscribe to a BLM newsletter that comes via email once a week or so and it has tons of info r.e. what is going on in and around our public lands. (you may already get it) There are always numerous links to "renewable" power projects. (about halfway down the latest newsletter), public comment periods and other interesting things going on with the BLM. I have found it to be pretty informative, and it seems for the most part they do a pretty good job managing the public lands.

Here is the link to the latest newsletter from Friday 2/3
link
Is the wind project in Ocotillo on private or public land?
Dave

<em>edited by surfponto on 2/6/2012</em>
2/7/2012
Topic:
California Juniper south of Sombrero Peak

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
That is a nice shot. What time of day was that photo taken?
2/7/2012
Topic:
Carrizo Gorge Canyon - DeAnza to Egg Mtn

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I'm liking the Darth Vader anti-cat-claw suit that Scott is wearing smile
2/19/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Wildflower Report ?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Hey All,
Curious as to how the wildflowers are progressing in Anza Borrego?
We just got back from 8 days in Baja Sur and the desert was blooming everywhere.

Funny that although central and southern Baja are also considered the Sonoran desert that some of the flora is very different.

The Cardons are our new favorite cactus. smile (Last pic)







Map showing the Sonoran Desert range

<em>edited by surfponto on 2/19/2012</em>
2/20/2012
Topic:
ABDSP Via Helicopter

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Awesome
Looks like a blast. Makes a 4WD seem pretty ridiculous smile

Those pictographs are really cool.

Bob
<em>edited by surfponto on 2/20/2012</em>
2/20/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Wildflower Report ?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Thanks
Trying to plan an overnight trip and was hoping the wildflowers were starting.
Sounds like at least a couple more weeks

Bob

hvydrt wrote:
I was anywhere from the 900'-4500' elevation in the Borrego Palm Canyon area on Saturday and only saw a few flowers. Things were looking slightly greener than they were a few weeks ago though.
2/20/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Wildflower Report ?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
We were blown away by the Desert down in Baja Sur and Central Baja.
Very beautiful.
Flowers were coming up everywhere.

Your Inner Pasture trip sounds great,
Bob

ziphius wrote:
Baja Sonora looks pretty lush compared to ABDSP right now! I saw a lot of 'micro-blooms' in the Inner Pasture over the weekend, but no big areas of coverage, just isolated blooms. The exception being Ocotillo, which were starting to bloom almost everywhere I looked. Also some nice blooms of white-flowered Ceanothus far up in the canyons, where there is a bit more water. smile
2/20/2012
Topic:
Anza Borrego Wildflower Report ?

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
I like Bahia also. Great fishing
Last couple trips we camped out there and then headed over to the Pacific for surf.

You kayaked from La Bufadorato to Todos Santos Island !! That is impressive

We didn't have any issues but most people always say we are crazy for going down.

Thanks for posting the flower pictures.smile





anutami wrote:
Nice baja trip, I have been very apprehensive about going down to baja these last couple of years. We love bahia de los angeles, la bufadora (kayaked to todos santos from there), and scorpian bay. Any issues while you were down? Looks pretty wet down there and the hood of your cruiser is covered in mud spray.

I camped at Mortero Palms trailhead on Sat Night and they are trying to come out...

2/20/2012
Topic:
Mortero Palms

surfponto
surfponto
Administrator
Looks like a great trip.
How were the temperatures? Your son is really bundled up.

That first view is dead on for where the Ocotillo Express Turbines would go. Sucks big time. upset

That circle thing is cool. Guessing it was done by some campers but I don't really know.
Was that near Piedras Grandes?

Bob




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