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Talk about a trip you took out to Anza Borrego

Martinez Peak and Little Pinyon Flat

rockhopper Posts: 668 4/20/2019	rockhopper Posts: 668 Headed out for a 3 Day back pack to the Santa Rosas with my Brother and a friend. We lucked out with the weather as the wind event had just ended and the temps were in the 40's to 70's at our base camp at the 4000 ft elevation. We started at the Hwy 74 Cactus Spring trail (CST) head and headed south along the CST. Our plan was pick up our water at the Horse Thief creek crossing and base camp the first day and do a search for a back up water source. Day two and day three were day hikes and pack out day three. Leaving Horse Thief creek we carried about 70 pounds of water between the three of us. Once again I am lugging a 60lb back pack as we head for a base camp. Base camp near the CST with Martinez peak beyond. Spring wild flowers going up the mountain slopes. This guy was hanging out near us enjoying the Sun. Found these Boulder caves near the upper reaches of Horse thief creek. Neat camp spots with pottery pieces still in place. Spring flowers with Martinez beyond. View climbing up Martinez peak. San Jacinto and San Gorgornio beyond. Rabbit peak beyond Toro peak with base camp below Martinez peak boulder looking North. It is a easier climb up to the register on the other side. Bird in frame. Mountian sparrow? Very fast! Big horn sheep tracks and poop every where. Good sign! Water still flowing in the upper reaches of Horse thief in Mid April due to wet Winter. Thank God! Fresh Cougar tracks measured more the 3" across. Here kitty, kitty. Not! Great trip. Unlimited hiking. Great to be back to this fantastic back country. Notes: Mylar balloon count 8 Found a another Jack Miller corral near the creek. Jack was a rancher and prospector of the Jack Miller rock house fame. Flooded and buried and unearthed again by floods. He lived in the area for over 30+ years and was all over this place. The flood waters rose to a height of over 10 feet Above present Horse Thief creek. Hope next Winter is as good! Cheers! edited by rockhopper on 4/20/2019 edited by rockhopper on 4/20/2019 edited by rockhopper on 4/20/2019 edited by rockhopper on 4/21/2019
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609 4/21/2019	dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609 Beautiful and great post...my back started hurting right at "we carried about 70 pounds of water". I hope to get back out soon. -- http://www.sefcik.com http://www.darensefcik.com http://www.carrizogorge.com
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rockhopper Posts: 668 4/22/2019	rockhopper Posts: 668 Rocko1 This was my Brothers 1st time down the Cactus Spring Trail so we made it as far as the pass going down to the Agua Alta spring, the start of the Martinez mountain climb. I think this is like the 6th time I have been out here. I went up the CST up Martinez canyon to Jack Millers rock house from Hwy 86 and down the CST from Hwy 74 to the Jack Miller rock house. This trip was more about exploring areas I passed thru before. We saw a few day hikers day one. Nobody on day two, but we could faintly hear the Coachella concert ( only the bass) ha! edited by rockhopper on 4/22/2019
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tekewin Posts: 365 4/23/2019	tekewin Posts: 365 Martinez looks like a fun day hike. I appreciate the high def photos. Thanks for the report.
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rockhopper Posts: 668 4/24/2019	rockhopper Posts: 668 Rocko1 No problems leaving the car for multiple days at the CST trail head. Only nice people go hiking right?
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