anutami

all messages by user

12/26/2014
Topic:
Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami
anutami
hikerdmb wrote:
Nice trip Nolan. I am surprised you didn't head on over to the drop off and come out through Split Mountain. I think you will take that truck anywhere. I love that area, esopecially when you get up high and have a view. Merry Christmas.


Lol...I probably would if it wasn't such a tight squeeze at the bottom wink. Happy new year
12/26/2014
Topic:
Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami
anutami
surfponto wrote:
Great pics Nolan
You guys packed a lot into one trip


Thanks, I wanted to stay out longer but my water pump went out. Can't believe I got it all fixed and just picked up my truck. Probably headed out soon smile
12/26/2014
Topic:
Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami
anutami
dsefcik wrote:
Wonderful photos Nolan, I think there is someone singing &quotAll I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...&quot...haha...
I wonder if we just missed each other ..again...we were out backpacking the same route as 2 years ago and passed thru Agua Caliente on Tuesday. If you saw a white Prius in the day use spot that was our car. The weather the last 5 days out in ABDSP was about as good as you can get, it was perfect. Looks like another great trip!


Yup saw the Prius. I think I saw your truck last year around the same time leaving Indian Gorge smile I have never seen agua caliente campround so deserted. We almost stayed, but had the issues with the truck and wanted to get back.
12/26/2014
Topic:
Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami
anutami
BorregoWrangler wrote:
Great photos! Looks like you guys had a blast out there. I'm looking forward to taking my kids to the mud caves when they get a bit older.

There are some great camp spots on that plateau between Arroyo Tapiado and Arroyo Seco Del Diablo.


Thanks, just make sure you bring plenty of water to wash your kids off. They get FILTHY, but love every minute of it. It is always a bit scetchy in the caves thinking it lies right in a fault zone and Everything is super brittle.
12/28/2014
Topic:
Another Adventure: Arroyo Seco Diablo

anutami
anutami
DesertWRX wrote:
That damn rock fire pit at your camping site! We do Adopt a Wash and Arroyo Tapiado is one of our areas and we've removed that pit many times. People always build it right by the signs saying no ground fires!


I was thinking the same thing. Next time I will remove the thing. I picked up about 20 nails around the parking area as well.
12/28/2014
Topic:
5 Day Backpacking Trip Indian Gorge/Canebrake-

anutami
anutami
Hard to beat the views of egg mountain! Like the pacifico and drainage trench Near your shelter. Is that a cigar in your hand in the hot tub? Never seen a baby tarantula, nice. Ejection seat, What a trip! Can't wait for the next one smile
1/2/2015
Topic:
Upper Coyote Canyon, Middle Willows Hike

anutami
anutami
Very nice Trip Report. Thanks for posting.
1/2/2015
Topic:
Plane Wrecks

anutami
anutami
ImpatientHiker wrote:
Very interesting! I've come across a couple but never knew about this or the one near Blair either. Anybody see a link between this wreckage and the ejection seat Daren found recently?
Btw, I tried to summit Whale Pk from Pinyon Mtn w/my kids yesterday and failed because the snow was too deep. We also got turned back by deep snow and buried cholla trying to overland it from Dos Cabezas Spring to the Goat Cyn Trestle, crazy!


Wow!! Would love to see some pics if you have any!!!
1/2/2015
Topic:
Plane Wrecks

anutami
anutami
fig beetle wrote:
Would you be willing to share a little more information of its location. I would love to go visit this site with my kids.


X2
1/4/2015
Topic:
6 Days in the Turtle and Orocopia Mountains

anutami
anutami
What a great trip Daren, thanks for sharing. You have such great photography smile Looks like an amazing and secluded area, putting that one down on the list.
1/4/2015
Topic:
Mud Hills Wash to Elephant Knees

anutami
anutami
awesome area! one of my favs, I was just North West of you exploring the fossil beds as well. I will post some pics, I got some good ones smile
1/4/2015
Topic:
The Potrero / Vallecito Valley 3 nights

anutami
anutami
thanks for sharing and Nice shots smile
1/4/2015
Topic:
Let it snow!

anutami
anutami
Wow!!! Happy New Year!
1/4/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Wash Fossil Beds

anutami
anutami
I was surpised to finally find a great auto mechanic who changed out my water pump in a couple days so of course I had to head back out to the desert. The kids have been talking about going back to the fossil beds of fish creek so that is where we headed. Looks like borregowrangler and I had the same plan smile







Views looking toward elephant knees



Evidence of the freezing temperatures




The cold is one of the main reasons why I always seem to bring the camper along. I think it is mostly from my wife who stays home knowing the kids are going to be kept warm.




Thawed out water bowl and the bees started to bombard us.



Soaking up the warm sun



We headed out on a loop hike around several of the washes. It is amazing how at ease you get with directions. I remember the first time coming out here a bit freaked out how confusing the surroundings can be.



It is pretty cool hiking on top of the bluffs


Fish Creek wash looking southwest



some of the color

















some of the fossils we found:please leave them where they lay, for the next adventurer to find smile























our campsite for a couple nights





heading back out through fish creek
1/5/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Wash Fossil Beds

anutami
anutami
Jim (ziphius) wrote:
Its so cool how the scallop fossils are just embedded in the sandstone, like raisins in a muffin. Great trip and photos. Do you think that parts of the entry into Fish Creek are doable with a 2 wd sedan? smile


Jim, I would only attempt it with a 2wd sedan if you have higher clearance. You don't really need 4wd right now, but there are a lot of protruding boulders. You could easily make it to the entrance to split Mtn scout it out, and or the campground and hike your way in. If you go during the week I doubt you would run into many people driving through there and have the place to yourselves. It is a beautiful hike through split mountain when there is not a lot of traffic kicking up a bunch of dust everywhere.
1/13/2015
Topic:
Indian Valley Summer Solstice Cave & Torote Canyon

anutami
anutami
Indian Valley is a special place, nice trip!
1/13/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Mountains

anutami
anutami
Nice, you guys got pretty far back in there. Daren, your maps look sweet and have great detail. Where did you get those?

What is the deal with the carrizo impact area anyway? Are they still doing bombing drops out there, and why can't you venture in there?
1/14/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Mountains

anutami
anutami
dsefcik wrote:
Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Nice, you guys got pretty far back in there. Daren, your maps look sweet and have great detail. Where did you get those?

What is the deal with the carrizo impact area anyway? Are they still doing bombing drops out there, and why can't you venture in there?
ABDSP acquired a large chunk of the impact area and for the time being is closed to public access. There is not any active bombing there (I know of) but there are signs posted near Plaster City on both sides of the RR tracks. I have heard rumors that the impact area may be cleaned up enough to allow public use but that seems unlikely but I am hopeful.I used the ABDSP maps provided here to navigate our way around the impact area boundaries. The map you see on my truck bed is one of the Tom Harrison Maps. They make pretty good durable and water resistant maps.


Thanks, found this sd reader article although it is pretty old http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2001/sep/06/risky-wasteland/#
1/15/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Wash Fossil Beds

anutami
anutami
surfponto wrote:
Great pictures Nolan.
Did you upgrade your camera? smile


No same camera, I ran out of storage space on photobucket and started uploading to a blog which makes the pictures HUGE!!!
1/15/2015
Topic:
Fish Creek Wash Fossil Beds

anutami
anutami
Buford wrote:
Cool trip. You have some lucky kids. That is an area of the park I have yet to explore. Thanks for the pictures.


Buford, this area is at the top of our list! We love it smile
1/26/2015
Topic:
Loop and Olla Wash yet again

anutami
anutami
For some reason my pictures are super huge, if they are too big for your liking click thishttp://sturgeonadventures.blogspot.com/2015/01/loop-and-olla-wash.html to the blog I posted them on. Any advice on how to shrink them? I uploaded them to the blog and copy and pasted here.

It was time for another adventure to the Anza Borrego Desert. This time my Bro had some time off, (or so I thought) so we headed into Fish Creek Wash. We go a bit of a late start and it started to get dark by the time we hit the dirt. This was his first adventure to ABDSP and his first XTC adventure with his Truck Camper.





















We were going to head into Olla Wash but it got pretty dark so we set up camp in Loop Wash.





It was pretty cool having 2 hard sided shelters as the wind the next day had some pretty strong gusts.



We found a pretty cool cave in the area



I thought this might be some petrified scat smile










My bro thought we had landed on Mars



Rock solid fossils





the high and dry reef



Showing my niece around the place



Brett leading the group










Crumbling Reef



All of us hanging out flying kites, my bro had his hands full with his 2 and 1 year old!





Next generation of Desert enthusiasts wink





This was a nice place to stop and use the natural environment to go ahead and clean my solar panels. It was hard to believe this is the middle of winter in southern california and it was 72 and perfect.



It sucks being so far out and having cell phone reception because my bro got called into work and had to leave the party early upset



We continued on into Olla Wash to explore the peace and solitude of ABDSP



This campsite will do, Free and WAY out there, just the way we like it.



If you are into geology you will love Olla Wash.

I guess all the ollas are gone, but there are a few Metates around



Did I say it was the middle of winter? Brett finally figured out the perfect desert attire



He still has a lot of growing up to do



It was nice to see some color on the ocotillos








I love this pic smile



We lost Brett for a while and found him napping in a small alcove

I spy with my little eye

We just can't get enough of this place smile







concretion station












Tile rummy anyone?








Team Sturgeon : Hope you enjoyed the tour









edited by anutami on 1/26/2015
2/2/2015
Topic:
Between the coast and ABDSP

anutami
anutami
what a cool trip report. Thanks for sharing smile
2/7/2015
Topic:
Pres Day and Spring Break Plans

anutami
anutami
I may try and head out next weekend around our baseball schedule....I would leave around 1-2pm on sat and drive home monday around 12pm . If you need a pickup/shuttle let me know.

Nolan
2/10/2015
Topic:
Presidents Day Weekend Carrizo Gorge Backpack

anutami
anutami
We are going to ditch practice on Saturday and head out to go check out some of the jet crash sites in Blair wink
2/18/2015
Topic:
The Impossible Railroad

anutami
anutami
Nice addition to the thread Daren! Some of the best photos by far. We drove all the way to the end of the canyon in hopes of seeing your truck but looks like you started from the opposite end. We checked out the crash sites, thanks for the heads up. We also camped in oriflamme and it was very disturbing to find it bone dry. Can't believe this drought, hope the bighorns are hanging in there.
2/18/2015
Topic:
First time visitor to abdsp and our adventure

anutami
anutami
I had the great pleasure of meeting Alex (c.traveler2 on rv.net) and Julie this weekend in an short but sweet Anza Borrego adventure. It was his first adventure to Anza borrego and I wanted to show him around. Actually it was more of Alex showing me how its done XTC style.

we were to meet in Blair Valley, and a few truck campers kept coming by which I thought was Alex
Not this one, I think he has a hardside lance


This was a hardside but not a Lance


Here was a hardside lance but didn't look like his truck


I think this is his rig smile


Our 2 rigs saying hello


We headed off through Blair Valley to check out some of the Jet Crash sites around



we headed off to try and find the two jet crashes


Jet engine half burried


some of the wreckage


the landing gear, I guess they had a tire blow while trying to land


Brett found the wing






We headed into Oriflame Canyon and I got some XTC pointers from the Pro




we set up camp amongs the cottonwoods


I couldn't believe the canyon was bone dry, this is usually flowing pretty good...


some of the blooms






Alex and his rig


What a great trip! Alex, gave me so many good pointers on how to better equip my rig to handle the off road extremes. He even gave me a good pointer on how to replace my fresh water tank filler cap


Alex in Action Video Clicky

video of my rig

Thanks Alex, what a great trip, let me know when you are in the area againsmile
edited by anutami on 2/18/2015
edited by anutami on 2/18/2015
edited by anutami on 2/18/2015
2/18/2015
Topic:
First time visitor to abdsp and our adventure

anutami
anutami
dsefcik wrote:
Your 2 rigs saying hello..?? smile
Glad you got to find the jet wreckage, hope Brett liked finding that stuff.
You guys are way past me with the campers, my entire outdoor sleep gear weighed in at 3lbs...Thumbs Up


Ha!!! Our gear weighs in at about 3,000lbs!!!
Do you know any history about those crash sites?
edited by anutami on 2/18/2015
2/18/2015
Topic:
First time visitor to abdsp and our adventure

anutami
anutami
Jim (ziphius) wrote:
Looks like a fun trip Nolan. Sometimes when it is dry at the cottonwoods, the water is running within a few hundred yards upstream. Have camped there a few times and was surprised to find running water within 1/2 hr walk of the cottonwoods.


I walked about 10 min upstream and nothing....was pretty bummed out. Should have gone further!
2/23/2015
Topic:
Carrizo Gorge Backpack

anutami
anutami
dsefcik wrote:
BorregoWrangler wrote:
Oh by the way, on our way back from the trestle on our recent hike, we could see the worker's camp down in the gorge and hear the chainsaws going. I wonder how long they'll be working in there?
There were 2 camps, one below Goat Canyon and a second further south, Coyote Spike Camp. They have been out there almost 2 years so far it seems like and doesn't look like they are done. We could see chainsaw blood on the boulders and such, but overall they are doing a really good job keeping things cleaned up while they work.


There is also a base camp at the end of Carrizo Gorge Road.







I have also noticed an alarming rate of disrespect out there as well and people seem to think it is Ocotillo wells recreation area. Alot of jeep tracks heading off trail into where ever they want.
Many illegal fire pits

and this was nice to see when getting to the end of the gorge, Luckily my kids didn't see it. I guess they were pissed they couldn't continue with their jeep further up the gorge?

edited by anutami on 2/23/2015
2/26/2015
Topic:
Any wildflowers in southern Anza Borrego ?

anutami
anutami
There were lots of blooms starting at the end of the gorge. Should be a great weekend to head out.
2/26/2015
Topic:
Missing Hiker

anutami
anutami
Anyone know more details on the missing hiker near Warner springs?

http://fox5sandiego.com/2015/02/25/search-for-missing-east-county-hiker-intensifies/
2/28/2015
Topic:
Missing Hiker

anutami
anutami
Find it hard to believe someone would abandon all their gear! Any thoughts on why you would "dump" your pack?
4/14/2015
Topic:
Escalante: the staircase: trip 2

anutami
anutami
Spring break for us brought the grand staircase once again amazing pictographs 10' tall!!!


Amazing canyon of calf creek





Enchanted water falls of frigid water



The GRAND Staircase


So nice to have a &quothome on wheels&quot


They are growing up so fast!!! Anyone know how to stop time?



Bryce Canyon


Rest of the trip http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28294196/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1
edited by anutami on 4/14/2015
4/15/2015
Topic:
Escalante: the staircase: trip 2

anutami
anutami
Tom,

Yes those pictos are on the calf creek trail/slight detour across the canyon. Did you get a chance to check them out?
4/30/2015
Topic:
Trail Less Traveled

anutami
anutami
Jim (ziphius) wrote:
dsefcik wrote:
I wonder if they went out...drew66 TR ??


I'm up for a 'search & rescue' mission on Sunday. Seriously. Even if no one is lost.


Count me in 😳
4/30/2015
Topic:
West of Indian Hill

anutami
anutami
tommy750 wrote:
surfponto wrote:
You are right.
That trip was from February 2010

dsefcik wrote:
Here it is 08/25/2011 so Bob, either your picture is older than that or it has been rebuilt.



Three or four cans go missing every year! Next year it will all be over upset


Wow, bummed I have yet to be there. Thanks for the report! Your reports are always top notch 😃
4/30/2015
Topic:
Pine Valley Wilderness

anutami
anutami
Spring is a good time to visitsmile nice that your FIL was so kind...we moved in with my FIL to save up $$$ to try and buy 10 acres off old Julian hwy,sorry he passed.

Nolan
5/28/2015
Topic:
A few familiar places we enjoyed in May

anutami
anutami
we have been out the last couple of weekends just enjoying the Desert...here are some pics

Slippery as snot a couple weeks ago in and around Split Mountain! decided to stay out of the washes and bring the rhino along


Everything was a mess!


and with the mess the fun began!









coyote tracks





we checked out the ancient beach line near superstion of Lake Cahuilla and came across this...anyone have an idea what this is?


c02 canister or bomb?

Just when we thought we were avoiding the washes we came across this

fun day playing in the mud smile



Brenna handling the rig on the jeep trails

cold and freezing in San Diego, warm and sunny in Blair Valley


I love this camp spot smile


nice illegal fire

Nolina fruit





awesome smoke tree

the wildest one I have ever seen



Hit up Indian gorge last saturday...Daren I think we just missed you guys

Hanging out relaxing on the best memorial day ever in the Desert

with all the rain we wanted to check out Oriflamme to see if any water and NOTHING....we went pretty far upstream

so we headed to a man made oasis butterfield ranch....we stopped by agua caliente and there must have been 100 people in the outdoor pool and butterfield was vacant: although the water was brisk

Headed back to Little Blair for the night...can't believe the temps we have had lately...starting to warm up and we are headed to Northern cali, and the Pac. Northwest for the next couple of weeks smile
6/15/2015
Topic:
Santa Rosa Traverse in One Day-unsupported

anutami
anutami
Thanks for posting! Wow my heart was pounding just reading your epic journey. I can't imagine what it would be like to make that Trek! Congrats on the accomplishment!
7/30/2015
Topic:
The Potrero

anutami
anutami
Nice pics and report, thanks for heading out in the warmer months and taking me with you.

What the heck were all the frogs doing on your tent?

Nolan
edited by anutami on 7/30/2015
7/30/2015
Topic:
Blair Valley

anutami
anutami
Awwesome pics! Thanks for posting smile. Those wild turkeys walk through my yard all the time, as I live right by where your pic was taken! Fyi, directlty west of where your Turkey pic was taken there is tons of morteros, pottery sherds, etc. I found a peace pipe a long time ago and is now at the ramona museum wink

Nolan
7/30/2015
Topic:
Summer of 2015

anutami
anutami
Hey all, we have been busy this summer and after a lot of time spent in other places we can't wait to get back out into our backyard when the weather cools a bit
Here are a couple trip reports to check out

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28447499.cfm


http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28491097.cfm
edited by anutami on 7/30/2015
edited by anutami on 7/30/2015
7/30/2015
Topic:
The Potrero

anutami
anutami
Did you find kermit the frog?

8/3/2015
Topic:
Jamul Kiln Ruins

anutami
anutami
Daren, your trip out didn't qualify for a "special event"? Every trip report you post is special and such a great event! I will vouch for you anytime smile
8/21/2015
Topic:
Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest 2015

anutami
anutami
thanks for the heads up on this one, will have to send some in smile
9/8/2015
Topic:
Drone use in the Park

anutami
anutami
Jim, that scoutfitters add is hilarious. Boom boxes and Drones what a combo ,yeah I miss those college days smile. Have you emailed the leaders letting them know they should not be advertising to bring drones? I have yet to come across a drone and hear how loud they are, but I guess they are loud and annoying. So the question is if you see someone flying a drone do you approach them politely and let then know the policy or call the ranger? I agree with the policy of not allowing them, but it sounds like there is no policy as of yet and it is just the ranger saying they are not allowed. Is this correct? or is There something more concrete and in writing from CA State parks, Would ABDSP have their own policy on this? Do you know if BLM land permits the use of drones? I have come across the rocketeers out by plaster city launching their rockets into the sky, which is pretty cool.
10/3/2015
Topic:
South West Road Trip

anutami
anutami
Very cool, there is nothing like a road trip. Looking forward to things cooling down myself.
11/9/2015
Topic:
2015 previous topics not showing up

anutami
anutami
Is it just me/my computer or are none of the previous posts for 2015 showing up? Went back to look for some trip reports but can't seem to find them...


Nolan
11/9/2015
Topic:
Photo Contest winner :)

anutami
anutami
Click the link
click here
Rig look familiar smile
edited by anutami on 11/9/2015
11/9/2015
Topic:
2015 previous topics not showing up

anutami
anutami
when I click on "completed trips" it starts with trips from 2014...
figured it out, you have to click on page 3 and all 2015 completed trips are after 2010 labeled "Latest Post-Guest" and no date is showing up, hope that helps
11/9/2015
Topic:
Diablo Dropoff graded

anutami
anutami
Nice! thanks for the clean up, Just hope your kids didn't get bummed out when you tossed em in the trash. I kind of enjoy seeing all those shoes just before scissors crossing, but they probably need to be cleaned up as well. Never understood the thrill of taking a pair of shoes with the laces tied together and throwing them over a branch or telephone wire.
11/12/2015
Topic:
Photo Contest winner :)

anutami
anutami
hikerdmb wrote:
I saw that on the truck camper forum. Are you going to be the cover?
edited by hikerdmb on 11/10/2015



Not sure but if I am that would make me the lucky #13!
11/12/2015
Topic:
Santa Rosas expedition partner wanted, Dec. 20-24

anutami
anutami
sounds like a great trip! I am sure I will be out there wandering around at that time. If you need a pick up or drop off place let me know and I may be able to help.
Nolan
12/8/2015
Topic:
Mojave National Preserve and other areas

anutami
anutami
Hi all, been pretty busy lately and dieing to get out to abdsp this fall. Looks like I might be able to get out this weekend wink

Thought you might enjoy our latest trip report, in which we saw our first Desert Badger in the mojave national preserve although I was not able to get any pics
Trip report here
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28670546.cfm
12/12/2015
Topic:
Drone use in the Park

anutami
anutami


Drone use for me is hiking to the top of the mountain then taking a picture. That's all I need wink I can't really justify spending 2 grand.
edited by anutami on 12/12/2015
edited by anutami on 12/12/2015
12/20/2015
Topic:
3 Day Backpack through Vallecito, Canebrake and IP

anutami
anutami
Very nice! Thanks for sharing, that is one huge ocotillo you had for your kitchen pantry.
1/21/2016
Topic:
Pinyon Wash Overnight

anutami
anutami
Hi Bob, yeah that was me out there. Surprised we did not see you as we were also exploring the ancient village sites. I was parked in that location because I needed cell phone reception and that is one of the only spots to get it. Did you see Ranger D.L out there? What days were you out?


not to hijack your thread, but


Here are some pics from the trip


These are called cupules correct? Does anyone know the what the significance of these is?



Nice village site that looked like it was just yesterday that it was occupied



pano of Harper Flat



Pinyon wash at sunset, notice the sun rays on the camper. This is a really nice campsite as I still got cell phone reception and the last rays of the sun on my solar panels.



huge pottery shard



ram horns: ****IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE THESE*** and everytime I have been up Pinyon Wash I have seen the rangers



huge metate



multi use metates, this site is amazing and I could almost see all the ancients at work and hear their voices smile

More cupules and it looks like some kind of other design that is slowly weathering away



Bob, did you find this location?



This was one of my favorite areas.



Nolan
1/25/2016
Topic:
Pinyon Wash Overnight

anutami
anutami
sddarkman619 wrote:
Bob and Nolan, it's ok to drive in Pinyon wash huh?
But not in Harper valley or Harper flat correct?
Have either of you check out Hapahah Flat? I hear there's Indian village there as well.


Yea, Harper Valley/Harper Flat are off limits to vehicles, although every time out there I have seen motorcycle tire tracks going through there.

check out one of my trip reports from a couple years ago
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic388-hapaha-flat-dave-mcain-spring-split-rock.aspx

wow my kids are growing up fast!

Love going through, fish creek all the way to Hapaha flat, there is so much out there to explore. Indian sites/signs of habitation are everywhere out there. Every time I go out I am in awe that wherever I am you will find pottery shards, morteros, metates, you name it.
2/10/2016
Topic:
Villager Peak trailhead vandalism

anutami
anutami
so messed up, were they so desperate they stole the stock rims? hopefully his insurance company will take care of everything (except for the stolen items out of the vehicle) and it will be filed under his comprehensive coverage so his rates won't go up (I carry a $100 deductible on comp). It looks like a bent frame would mean a total loss?

I can relate to having a total loss in the desert...
2/15/2016
Topic:
Hapaha Flat and Harper Valley

anutami
anutami
we headed out through Fish Creek Wash up to Hapaha Flat over the weekend. We have been exploring Harper Flat and I wanted to access a remote part of Harper Flat near McCain Spring.

Fish Creek has some pretty good wash outs, and sort of technical in a few sections. I sure would not try it with 2wd.


I am amazed every time we drive through fish creek at the amazing landscapes


My 10 year old daughter is almost as tall as my wife!!!!


heading up to Harper Flat amongst the boulders




Harper Flat Metate


can someone identify these?


Harper Flat








checking out the area


the sun was beating down on us pretty good so we headed back


couple old growth fish hook cactus'




campsite in Hapaha Flat


there are some nice boulder formations to check out in Hapaha Flat










no matter where you go there are always signs of those who called this place there home long ago


I wonder if these have any significance?









Flowers are just around the corner




It was great to get away, a bit warm out there, but well worth it smile All in all, still the best access to Harper Flat is through Pinyon Wash

edited by anutami on 2/15/2016
2/26/2016
Topic:
Photo being used on new panels

anutami
anutami
The Acorn group who does the interpretive panels for ABDSP is redoing many of the panels and contacted me about using this photo. Looks like they are going to use the image in two locations: one at Font’s Point and one near Fish Creek — the panels will be installed in June of this year.



Nolan
edited by anutami on 2/26/2016
4/17/2016
Topic:
Getting Married in the Valley of the Moon.

anutami
anutami
looks amazing out there, congrats!!!
4/17/2016
Topic:
Jacumba and Table Mountain Exploration

anutami
anutami
ziphius wrote:
Looks like a great trip. That stone in the lower right (4th photo) looks amazing, almost like it was intended to be a large point eventually.

Yonis.... I attended a lecture by Dr. Joan Schneider on Anza Borrego archaeology in March and I asked her about Yonis after her talk. She says they are natural geologic formations. Not to burst the bubble of Yoni believers, but she apparently knows her stuff.


Really? I find that hard to believe. Any more information on how they are formed? They seem to always be around village sites and from my experience I would say it is obvious they are man made.



edited by anutami on 4/17/2016
5/1/2016
Topic:
Santa Rosa Mnts / Martinez Canyon 12 Day Backpack

anutami
anutami
yeah nice trip, I was just literally reminiscing over some past photos wishing we could get out more, my kids are growing up so fast and life just keeps getting in the way





hope all is good Daren smile
5/12/2016
Topic:
Yoni

anutami
anutami
Here is a double yoni, this is right in front of someones yard in Ramona near where I live.


6/10/2016
Topic:
Anza Borrego 5.2 Magnitude Earthquake

anutami
anutami
I use this website, felt it pretty good in Ramona

http://quakes.globalincidentmap.com/
10/29/2016
Topic:
Bahia de Los Angeles Road Trip

anutami
anutami
Epic and amazing trip Tom, Awesome photos as always. Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. I always dream of returning to baja one day like in the way distant past but can't seem to muster up the courage to head way south. Thanks for bringing me along and I didn't even have to cross the border smile Sure you don't want to put a small pop up truck camper in the bed of your tundra? happy trails
11/16/2016
Topic:
animal trails vs old Indian Trails

anutami
anutami
Was wondering last weekend if this was an Indian or game trail in June wash
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/xNUSeaEl.jpg[/IMG]
11/16/2016
Topic:
animal trails vs old Indian Trails

anutami
anutami
Try it again


Was wondering last weekend if this was an Indian or game trail in June wash
11/16/2016
Topic:
June Wash marker

anutami
anutami
Anyone have a clue what this marker is for? Stumbled upon it on one of the ridgelines in June Wash. The ridgeline didn't appear to have much importance as there are about 1,000 other ones of the same size.

11/16/2016
Topic:
Election Backpack

anutami
anutami
Nice report and pics. Love the cowboy emblem pic. Nothing like pacifco and topo maps. Is that an inflatable camp pillow at your campsite? How comfortable is that thing? That is the single most reason why I never get a goods nite rest in the backcountry, can't seem to find anything that works. I wonder if the town of ocotillo has gone to the trump side because of all those wind turbines signed off by President Obama.
Happy trails
12/30/2016
Topic:
Ghost Mountain Article

anutami
anutami
Nice little article in our local paper smile

http://ramonajournal.com/on-memorys-back-trail-the-desert-refuge-of-ghost-mountain-p8269-88.htm
edited by anutami on 12/30/2016
2/22/2017
Topic:
Mortero Palms and Piedras Grandes

anutami
anutami
Sorry I haven't posted in some time but been busy building our new home. I love our land off old julian hwy as we are so close to abdsp now!

smile we headed out to see some palm groves and mortero palms offers great access to piedras grandes









Wow how green the desert is right now




































































Miracle of life in the desert


The quiet solitude of a place far from the familiar and where the bonding of loved ones grows closer. What an amazing place in our backyard

edited by anutami on 2/22/2017
2/22/2017
Topic:
Badlands from Mine Peak

anutami
anutami
Nice pics!!!!
3/3/2017
Topic:
Coyote Canyon "Boulder Alley"

anutami
anutami
Coyote canyon is pretty nice right now. Was able to cruise up all the way up through boulder alley and make use of our new 4runners 4wd

Evidence of plenty of water


First crossing totally washed out




Third crossing totally cleared out


Notice all the vegetation removed


Some of the flowers out right now




3/31/2017
Topic:
Ranger Steve dies in shooting incident

anutami
anutami
Devastating news upset crying right now and my son who he was amazing to will be just as devastated when he finds out. Steve was nothing but nice and my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
4/18/2017
Topic:
Trying to figure out where this is in the park

anutami
anutami
yes it looks like he went hiking around the Mtn Palm Spring area and to be specific it looks like Palm Bowl Gove, There is also access up through Indian Gorge, just passed Torote Canyon



here is a link to check out
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2013/mar/06/roam-indian-gorge-palm-bowl/#
7/14/2017
Topic:
Photo hosting recommendations

anutami
anutami
yeah its a shame Photobucket is doing this. Many of my trip reports have lost their photo links. There is no way I am paying that price.
I started using imgur.com
8/6/2017
Topic:
The Island

anutami
anutami
Kit Kat scat, Love it
4/10/2018
Topic:
Awesome Trip report

anutami
anutami
This is an amazing trip to check out

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/29610085.cfm
12/16/2019
Topic:
Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North

anutami
anutami
Thanks to Bob keeping this forum going! I still read all your posts but haven’t posted much, sorry. Thanks for all the reports.
As our kids are getting older we are able to venture a lot farther from the campsite (I have to admit I have gotten soft with our 4x4 camper) so We decided to head out to Anza Borrego and hike to the Goat canyon trestle which is the Longest and Tallest curved wooden trestle in the world. It’s a pretty rigorous hike having to do a lot of boulder scrambling but well worth it. We Headed out to Blair Valley for a night.


Blair Valley views


Looking north toward shelter valley


Headed toward Mortero Palms


Water Station


Phone Booth


Nice little camp spot


Brett scrambling amongst the boulders




Nice pool of water




Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle #2

The Palms




Views from the top



Entering the rugged Goat Canyon




Trestle coming into view

A bit sketchy in sections


Tallest and Longest curved wooden trestle in the world


Old collapsed tunnel before they built the trestle




Eating lunch where the builders also ate lunch long ago

Pretty amazing curve






Checking out one of the tunnels


Quite a bit to work to do to get the railroad back up and running


Heading back to camp




Got back just in time




We then had reservations for upper pines Over Thanksgiving hoping for snow. As we got to the south entrance the ranger informed us they shut down the campground due to the prediction of too much snow!!! They had evacuated the campground and the tent cabins. We then turned around headed back to Fresno and Then East into Sequoia National Park. Happy they didn’t shut it down smile.
Settled in before the storm hit

The next morning

And continued to snow for the next 3 days smile




We got our flashlights and hiked to the Lodge/restaurant for a Yummy Thanskgiving Dinner


The Restaurant


Had to educate my son what this is/was


Headed back home


It took awhile to get my truck started sitting in freezing temps for 3 days but we had a blast hanging out, snow showing and sledding around.

The much needed snow shovel saved us after about 4’ of snow in 3 days!!

hope you enjoyed the report


Other pics from previous adventures
One of my favorite pics of the season (anyone know the location?)


Brett learning to drive (don’t tell the rangers)






























12/20/2019
Topic:
Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North

anutami
anutami
tommy750 wrote:
Welcome back, Anutami! Haven't seen a post from you in literally years?? Great trip report.


thanks for the welcome back, been real busy with the kids getting into organized sports and just gotten lazy with the trip reports.
12/20/2019
Topic:
Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North

anutami
anutami
Buford wrote:
Awesome. I can't believe someone put up a rope to get around that dry fall. It is passable without.


yeah, it makes it a bit more dramatic seeing that rope there but then you realize it is not really needed. Was fun for my son to swing out and tackle the hard side, I took the path of least resistance of course...

Buford wrote:
It looks like the fire isn't in a metal container. FYI, that is an expensive ticket. I know someone that got cited for that infraction recently in Borrego. They were well off the beaten path and didn't know the rules. A ranger pulled up and surprised them at night..


thanks for the heads up but that particular camp site actually has a permanent metal container, its just piled up with rocks around it, kinda hard to see this pic may be better,... I carry a BBQ lid that works quite well. Just curious if you know what the fine is? I have been hassled before about rocks being put around the metal container and the fire can still char the rocks.





edited by anutami on 12/20/2019
12/20/2019
Topic:
Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North

anutami
anutami
dsefcik wrote:
I am not recognizing the mystery area, half wanna say the mud caves area but don't think that is it.
Is that a real bat??

Great pics and love the snow, good to see you back..!


thanks, been reading a lot of the trip reports and wanted to contribute something since its been so long.

The water flowing is the mouth of sheep canyon, we went out a couple of weeks ago for a day trip and it was warm the water was flowing pretty far out.

yeah that was a bat in one of the mud caves, we went out there over Halloween instead of trick or treating and it was so cool.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/sOJSn6Rl.jpg[/IMG]


edited by anutami on 12/20/2019
2/12/2021
Topic:
Cougar and Sheep Canyons

anutami
anutami
Has anyone been up to Sheep or Cougar canyon recently? Just trying to figure out if the creeks are flowing as we are looking for a reliable water source. We were up over Thanksgiving and Sheep was bone dry upset


edited by anutami on 2/12/2021
3/12/2021
Topic:
Cougar and Sheep Canyons

anutami
anutami
I made it a couple weeks ago no issues. The biggest challenge is trying to negotiate around oncoming traffic! Just have someone hike up/down the technical sectionS to alert any vehicles. I would say Boulder alley is really just another relatively easy jeep road in ABDSP now, where is years past you really had to have a high clearance short wheel base upgraded Jeep.







oh and yes there is water flowing lol


edited by anutami on 3/12/2021
3/12/2021
Topic:
Cougar and Sheep Canyons

anutami
anutami
upper reaches of cougar canyon smile
3/12/2021
Topic:
Cougar and Sheep Canyons

anutami
anutami
@Scooter tell your buddy this is what his jacks are going to look like after the trip :0

3/16/2021
Topic:
Coyote Canyon

anutami
anutami
Rocko1 wrote:
Scooter wrote:
Ok, one more question. Going to Cougar Canyon soon, I googled Cougar Canyon just to see if anything was new. Anza Borrego State Park in November of 2020 said the canyon was closed due to mountain lion activity !! Does anyone know anything about the details of the closure. Not a big fan of the big cats.

I don't see any closures related to cats. Contact visitors center, they will tell you for sure.


When we were up there last month they had the sign up but we went anyway. We came across a sheep carcass that was picked clean so I would imagine back in Nov it was fresh :0
10/10/2021
Topic:
Wind tower collapses in Ocotillo

anutami
anutami
Drove by them on Friday and noticed them all shut down. Then cam across the reason



Looks like the total failure of another one!
10/10/2021
Topic:
Wind tower collapses in Ocotillo

anutami
anutami
Drove by them on Friday and noticed them all shut down. Then cam across the reason



Looks like the total failure of another one!




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