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Indian Valley.....North Fork....get there early....

Some nice spots way back up behind Little Blair, follow the road up towards Shake Peak on the topo. I have tried to hide from the wind before, doesn't seem to work out very well hence my comment....Cool Canyon may be empty also, not super back country but I don't think very many people go there...one other spot is at the end of Mine Wash, there is a nice tucked in camp area. End of Carrizo Gorge is also good.

Cool Baja pics. I have never been down there during flower season. I really enjoy the scenery between El Rosario to just past Catavina, but have never stopped to explore the area.

pretty sure that is the "wagon wheel", i have heard of it but never seen it. if so, it is native american made. people need to realize how vast the the impact they have on the desert is, you can find artifacts almost everywhere in the desert.....nice find...

That looks like a great trip that you and your son had! The mysterious ground circle with quartz and pottery shards is very interesting. Perhaps one of the ABDSP rangers might know by looking at the photo what exactly it is? Great find. - Jim

Took some not so good pics of a home built camper/truck that we usually see on the way out of Ocotillo. Not sure if it is the one mentioned in this forum, but it is definitely unique.
Nice craftsmanship and you gotta love the fullsize "Whirlybird" roof vent on it. Looks like it has a lot of underneath storage and a porch of some sort on the back. I have never seen it moving though, it is always parked when we see it.
Here are a couple of crummy pics, I didn't want to creep around the front of their house too long. You can see much more detail if you download them full size.
link

Bob who runs this forum helped me get my new Dodge truck initiated a couple years ago driving out thru Carrizo Gorge...

Wow! Can't believe the tracks are still active. Was the driver taking pictures/video of you guys too and is that how they patrol the tracks? My son would have gone crazy, is that hike too rugged for kids?. I have yet to hike in from the western end, and need to get out there.

surfponto wrote:

It kind of caught us by surprise also. I think it was more of some type of tour train but I am not totally sure.
The area is very rugged and tends to get visitors from south of the border as was evidenced b the water bottles, clothes and backpacks littered around.

That's the first leg of the new California high-speed rail project... but seriously, nice trip report Bob and Daren. I'm amazed at the vividness of the pictographs, makes me wonder what types of dye / coloring agents the natives used back in the day.

An amazing article about Creosote

http://www.kcet.org/updaily/the_back_forty/commentary/in-the-old-growth-desert.html

From the last paragraph:

"If the 1200-year-old creosote where I sat were a redwood tree in a park it would have a plaque nearby, and travelers would come for miles to gaze at it reverently. If it were a coast live oak it would have died of immense old age a thousand years ago. If this creosote bush were a tree of like age and people came to cut it down for some industrial project, photos of it would flood the Internet with outraged commentary about our species' soulessness, and people would line up to be arrested in order to protect it. But it's a creosote bush, not a grand sequoia, and so it sits here in obscurity, scraping by in dry years like this one and putting out flushes of growth in the wet, and if we manage not to uproot it it may still be doing so when all memory of our fleeting civilization has been forever lost."

Also, here is a video clip of the helicopter flying through the canyon. We saw the same helicopter at the end of the day flying back up the canyon.

I don't get it..those photos are old and the story doesn't really say much...what did I miss?

The meta data on them says 04-19-2011

Besides, look at the below photos, the one from his site shows him standing next to the no trespassing sign **on the pole** and the one I took a few weeks ago is you **holding** the sign that was on the ground. You are standing just to the right of the pole (which is out of the picture)



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surfponto wrote:

How do you know how old the photos are?

dsefcik wrote:

I don't get it..those photos are old and the story doesn't really say much...what did I miss?

Took a nice solo trip out to the calcite mine slot canyons. Forgot my camera but luckily I have my iphone. If you have not been out there it is an awesome place. Make sure you bring a lot of water and a good map.

Unfortunately the Rockhouse Canyon backpack trip planned for this weekend has been cancelled due to the rain forecast (more specifically the mud that results from rain).

Also my backup hike for this weekend (Whale Peak) also was cancelled due to the weather forecast.

I had thought of a Baldy climb but I suspect the drive and conditions on the mountain will be bad.

Looks like it will be a honey-do weekend for me. Unfortunately it is the only weekend until early June that I had pretty much free to hike, backpack, etc. I will need to see if can move something to allow at least one more backpack this desert season.

Fish creek has been a family favorite of ours for decades.

We've never had a wind problem, but some of that's probably just luck of the draw.

Thanks for sharing.

I've got Rockhouse Valley on my to do list. It's one place I've never been to in the park.

It looks a lot easier than when I was last up it a few years ago. It looks like some of the biggest rocks have been either removed or broken into smaller pieces.

Last time I was up there is would be a real challenge for most stock 4X4 SUVs. Now it looks like most stock 4x4 SUVs should not have much difficulty.

Check out the ABF 2012 1'st place desert landscape photo winner's photo: http://theabf.org/2012_photo_contest_winners#137

Look familiar??

The wildflowers are starting to come out, this wildflower report is the segue to a couple of trip reports I will post next.

These photos are from last week 3-27-2012 - 3-29-2012

Hedgehog Cactus - Carrizo Gorge


Beavertail Cactus - Mason Valley


Desert Apricot - Mason Valley


Yucca - Mason Valley


Brittlebush - Mason Valley


Teddy Bear Cholla - Carrizo Gorge (near dusk photo)


Golden Suncup - Carrizo Gorge (near dusk photo)


Ocotillo - Red Hill


Beavertail Cactus with a bee covered in pollen - Red Hill


Ocotillo - Ocotillo Wind Energy Project Site Area, this will be destroyed if this project goes thru


Ocotillo - Ocotillo Wind Energy Project Site Area, this will be destroyed if this project goes thru


http://www.sefcik.com/2012/04/wildflowers-are-beginning-to-bloom.html
edited by dsefcik on 4/2/2012

surfponto wrote:

I know we have talked about this before but the road up to Rockhouse Canyon was a legitimate jeep road back in the day.
The portion up to the BLM border was and still is a well outlined two track jeep road.

They have put up numerous big wood posts all along the Rockhouse Cyn entrance area. Down towards the end of the road also are many, many new posts and right at the end of the road before it crosses the stream they basically posted that all up and made a parking lot right where we parked last time when we went. Not a bad thing really but the road is much easier to travel now, I only got a couple of scrapes.

surfponto wrote:

Are you talking about a parking lot here?

No, at the very end of Carrizo Gorge rd, about 6 miles in. I say parking lot because the whole area is so cleared out from constructing the 30 or so fence posts it looks like a parking lot.

Were the BHS near the freeway in Ocotillo? Looks like the same group spotted a few weeks ago. The metal debris also hints at roadside proximity.

Great pics Bob. How were the switchbacks on the trail up from the desert? I haven't been in the southern part for a while but it looks nice down that way. I really like the close up of the middle of the plant.
David

We used to do an Ultra Race (Lost Boys 50) that went from Pinyon Wash to Green Valley in Cuyamaca. The course went up Oriflamme and I can remember one race when a million jeeps came roaring up the canyon, it was a dusty mess.

It is really interesting to see how much more green your Ocotillos have then when I was out there 2 weeks ago, the green was just starting to come out on them when I was there.
Is this Indian Paintbrush?

Thank you for posting this!
facebook.com/FindGuillermoPinoJr

Nice place to explore. It is a very interesting area for sure. I am glad you found Paola's backpack. She is a student in my class. I will be sure to show her the picture so she can claim it. A few years back we drove the old 80 to where it ends at a cliff above I-8. I couldn't believe there were no markings or warnings back then to let you know the road was ending.

That looks like a nice unexplored 'niche'. What is the approx. height on the cabin remains? The photo perspective makes it look quite low. It could be an early 1900s structure, based on the foundation.

Any sign of the bighorns that call the island their home?

What is a good and safe access point to begin a hike into the area? Assuming no 4-wheel drive and a low-clearance sedan. Did you travel very far off-road to get into the area?

Another area I still need to check out. There are 3 benchmarks "on the island" that I want to check out, Devil, Inko, and Pah

I stumbled on that cabin in 2005 heading out to Myers Valley. Stopped by last December and it looked about the same. If you have a copy of Chris Wray's "The Historic Backcountry," it has a blurb on this cabin and mentions another a little way down I-8, one I've never seen. It's listed as being at 32 40.39, -116 04.40. On Google Earth, looks like it's on a little rise near where a dirt road peels off the eastbound lanes.

Nice trip. Have started a few hikes from Old Hwy 80 and crossed under the tunnel toward Boulder Creek and Myers Creek but never checked out the island. Is that For Sale sign still up? Assumed it was the ranch to the west but never called the number. I hear there's a pile of cars that went off I-8 over by the ranch. Actually saw a PU fly off a few years ago. Didn't end well.

tommy750 wrote:

Oops! You're absolutely right. The other site is 32 41.42 -116 3.68

Great, I have that marked for my next trip out there. I have been wanting to go up that wash anyway (among 5 million others also). It seems that Chris Wray's book is a little hard to find. I wonder if the Butterfield Ranch store or the visitor center has it. The Butterfield store has some pretty funky old books on it's shelf by the register.

Check out this map http://caltopo.com/map?id=7E42 ...

This weekend will probably be a good time to check out the Lyrid meteor shower. A new moon, a weekend and warm temps all come together to make a great star watching weekend in the desert.

http://earthsky.org/tonight
edited by dsefcik on 4/20/2012

karmiclife wrote:

I have been camping in the Anza Borrego for a number of years. It seems to be hit or miss on finding a sheltered area (from the wind). Have you found spots that consistently have no wind? I would love you hear of your favorite spots.

We tent camped at Little Blair a few weeks ago and even though the weather report made no mention of wind, we were practically blown away. Driving through Big Blair each day it seemed much calmer although the sites did not seem as nice. Will probably try one of the group sites next time if we come with a few other families or the Fish Creek area.

surfponto wrote:

Great pictures as always. How close were you to that rattler?

The Fishhook Cactus looked interesting. I have never seen the buds like that.

Daren, did you try to eat the fishhook cactus fruit? It is supposed to taste very good.
I have always wanted to try it

Also a pending application for the kitchen creek area? Say it ain't so. This is getting out of control. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but everytime i see a wind turbine it throws my equlibrium off and I get motion sickness.. I can't imagine living next to 150 of them!

Great pic! Thanks for sharing.

Daren,

Great story about your night hike. I remember that dry fall myself and calling the trail 'faint' is an understatement in that area. I'm planning a return to Moonlight Canyon just to figure out the most efficient way through Moonlight to Inner Pasture, I wasn't satisfied with my route last time. I also encountered the DO NOT ENTER sign you mentioned on the way out to Inner Pasture. I remember getting back to that point on the loop trail upon my return from Red Top / Inner Pasture, do I go right or left? I ran into a large group of kids with parents at the end of that long day that had come from Agua Caliente and they looked at me like I was a wild animal. Wiped blood on my hat from a cactus encounter.... wild, hungry eyes, giant backpack. One thing I have invested in is a trekking umbrella, super-light GoLite brand, you can rig it to clip on your backpack. It's like walking in the shade and not bothersome at all.

Appreciate your detailed account on your water consumption. Your accounts remind me of a book called Dead In Their Tracks, which chronicles illegal crossers from Mexico into AZ/CA during the summer months. The guy who wrote the book I think used to be an ultra-runner and he hiked alongside the crossers to write the book. Many detailed entries on how much water they started out with, how much they consumed, how much they found along the way, daytime temperatures, hours hiked in daylight vs. dark. Check it out:

http://www.uapress.arizona.edu/Books/bid2060.htm

Jim
edited by ziphius on 4/25/2012

Even though this is not ABDSP it is a great alternate trip (and much safer) to still get your desert fix during the summer months.
With temps starting to get up to uncomfortable level, and will soon be increasing even more you still have a great opportunity to seek out the Bighorn Sheep via the Colorado River through "Black Canyon". There are great camping spots, and hot springs you can go into also.

We took this trip 2 weeks ago

The only bummer to this trip is the 6 hour drive.

This Trip starts at the base of the hoover dam via an outfitter, http://www.downriveroutfitters.com/

or if you want to save $$$$ you can start on your own in Willow Beach, AZ, no permits needed and parking is free (this is what we opted for)

you also will need a small boat 65 hp or less wed-sat, or a kayak/canoe/stand up paddle board sun-sat.

instead of hiking through the desert carrying your water, just bring a water purifier and you have all the 50 degree water you want to drink. The water here is coming from the bottom of lake mead which is always around 50 degrees year round.


on our way there were bighorn right on the bank drinking a few feet away



if you are going up stream from willow beach, there is a little bit of a current, but no too bad (just stay as close to the shore as possible when paddling up stream)

I am not seeing any status updates for this, has he been found or what? Anybody know?

danielle179 wrote:

Thank you for posting this!
facebook.com/FindGuillermoPinoJr

A Boy Scout troop from Point Loma has put a nice new sign on the summit but I missed the old wooden sign. Anybody know what happened to it?

Was on Whale Peak in December 2011 and didn't see it for the first time. Tom

tommy750 wrote:

Been trying to get the girlfriend out camping in the desert more and therefore will NEVER be showing her this post!

Maybe just show her the sunrise photo...or tell her the snakes eat the centipedes.....

Here is what the fire looked like from the S2 at Canyon Sin Nombre


So what were you up to out in Canyon Sin Nombre on such a lovely warm day?

You could always go with the BFG Mud Terrains KM2

tommy750 wrote:

That's exactly how my alleged "Rugged Trails" tires looked about 50 yards after I left the pavement for the first time. Blew one out after hitting a pebble driving up Painted Gorge for a night hike up Carrizo Mt and spent an hour cursing Toyota for putting them on their TRD equipped Tundras while I wrestled with the spare in the dirt. Happy happy with the BFG A/Ts all around. Tom

Yeah, I have sliced two tires so far, both in Death Valley on rocks. Expensive buggers.

tommy750 wrote:

Nice. How do you keep the cactus off Bone's paws? Last time I was out with my friend and her dog, we spent half the time pulling cholla barbs out of its paws. I see one of the jeep trails heads way NW and ends up overlooking Carrizo Gorge. Is that open? Looks like it would have a great view and maybe a nice jump off spot for gorge hiking.

Yeah, I don't take Bones much to the desert, he gets cholla in his paws all the time, usually only take him when I know it will be cool and we will be on roads and not off trail. The road does go where you see it but once you hit ABDSP boundaries you must hike, no motor vehicles allowed beyond that. I describe a hike I did there on my website

The Lindsay book is a great resource for that area. http://www.amazon.com/Anza-Borrego-Desert-Region-Adjacent-Colorado/dp/0899974007/ref=as_li_wdgt_ex?&linkCode=wey&tag=daresefc-20

surfponto wrote:

Not Anza Borrego related but we were amazed by the similarities to the Blue Sun Cave pictographs at Indian Hill.
The cave at Catavina is amazing and despite the 108' Baja desert heat the cave was quite comfortable. It sits atop a ridge overlooking the large Cardon filled desert.

Those are really neat pics! The pictographs hardly looked faded. Is is well protected? Tom

<em>edited by surfponto on 7/6/2012</em>

Nice Bob. I would love to see some pics from Baja.
David

I was going to say the same thing... those pictos are very well-preserved! Wish I knew what some of the symbols meant to those folks. Nice trip.

Nice cave pics! Yes very similar. Looks like they were counting marks. Number of peoples in local tribe? Number of large game kills?
Wonder what the rectangular grid is all about. Family unit?
Thanks for sharing

We had a pretty good count. We were not in the traditional area (down closer) with poor shade and no place for chairs! Won't do that again! The sheep are very used to hikers in Palm Canyon. On the last day we had a ewe walk over to us and pass behind! Guess she was curious. Counters can sit close to the sheep here.
Now on to the 911 call. We spotted 2 hikers who turned around and went back. After a while a young man came by looking like he shouldn't have been there. In about 10 minutes his dad came up calling for him. He said his son was sick and he had called 911. John Peterson of our group went down with the dad and found the son in the grove. They got him wet, hydrated, and feeling better. The father was able to call 911 to cancel even though he had no signal. Ranger Steve Beir happened to be at the trail head when the fire dept. showed up. He got a copter going and started to prepare for trip up when the fire dept. was called off.
The father was dressed for the hike and the flabby computer geek/gamer son was not prepared. First pic is the son going up. I took pictures of him because he was out of place. The second picture is of the dad and him going back.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/BillFX/IMG_0399.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/BillFX/IMG_0401.jpg[/IMG]

tommy750 wrote:

Nice hiking trip. By the way, has anyone ever been to the Cougar Canyon Solstice Cave? Supposedly a solitary badly weathered pictograph will be illuminated in a few hours in a cave somewhere in Cougar Canyon and again in exactly six months. It's reportedly a "dual purpose" cave with a natural opening for the winter solstice and and artificial walled-in opening (severely damaged in a rock fall) for the summer event.

I have heard of it but never been there. A sunset solstice.