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Talk about a trip you took out to Anza Borrego

Cougar Canyon and Boulder Alley Messages in this topic - RSS

anutami
anutami
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4/8/2013
anutami
anutami
Posts: 491
I have wanted to do a backpack trip with my family into cougar canyon for some time and it was finally the time smile As the temps were getting very warm and my kids don't to well in the heat I decided it would be best and "cheat" by driving up through "boulder alley" with our stock 4x4 xterra.

the caravan into coyote canyon


The first crossing, no water


Second crossing

we set up camp Friday just passed the second crossing and just hung out enjoying the desert...

A boy and his dog smile


Nice shot of a damselfy? I think (wings parallel to the body when at rest)



enjoying the second crossing


This little guy enjoying himself


Heading through the 3rd crossing



hanging out and exploring just before tackling the bypass route up "boulder alley"



heading on up



and up



and up





We made it up and the hike in is only about 1 mile we were hoping for water, we also finally invensted in some nice hats!

I was getting a bit worried there was not going to be any water. Rusty was sure ready for a soak




I was tempted to photoshop a corona in his paw


I love tthis place...and so do the kids



I could not believe the bees were not around. we had the place all to ourselves smile


refreshing!



I love this canyon

Some blooms, if you are ever feeling sad just gives these shots a look...did I say I love the desert
















nice Indian cave

not sure if this is legit or not...


I looked up and noticed a lizard running on the ceiling!



pools around every corner


This is about the farthest we got up the canyon. It is pretty rugged...hopefully next time we will get to the 20ft falls and pool schad talks about

headed back down and set up camp


sorry for the long post but this is pretty much it for me on trips to ABDSP until the fall. Time to summarize the camper smile
edited by anutami on 4/8/2013
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tommy750
tommy750
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4/9/2013
tommy750
tommy750
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Looks like an awesome trip. Never been out that way and need to get out there before the gate closes. The Xterra's paint looks a little too pristine for those videos you posted smile Tom
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dsefcik
dsefcik
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4/9/2013
dsefcik
dsefcik
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This photo shows why I love being out there so much, awesome photo, great TR.

Nolan (anutami) wrote:




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hikerdmb
hikerdmb
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4/9/2013
hikerdmb
hikerdmb
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That is an awesome canyon and your pics were great. Did Rusty have any troubles getting up there? Other than the heat. I haven't been up that canyon for probably 20 years but your pics brought back some good memories for me. Thanks!
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surfponto
surfponto
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4/9/2013
surfponto
surfponto
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Great trip report and great 4X4 videos.
Your kids looked stoked.

Thinking your cave find is legit since I have heard of it before.

Thanks for posting Nolan,

Bob

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surfponto
surfponto
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4/9/2013
surfponto
surfponto
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When do they close the gate for the summer?
Thinking the same thing smile

tommy750 wrote:
Looks like an awesome trip. Never been out that way and need to get out there before the gate closes. The Xterra's paint looks a little too pristine for those videos you posted smile Tom


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https://www.anzaborrego.net/



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dsefcik
dsefcik
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4/9/2013
dsefcik
dsefcik
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surfponto wrote:
When do they close the gate for the summer?
June 1'st - Sept 30th I believe.

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surfponto
surfponto
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4/9/2013
surfponto
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Thanks Daren

dsefcik wrote:
surfponto wrote:
When do they close the gate for the summer?
June 1'st - Sept 30th I believe.


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anutami
anutami
Posts: 491


4/10/2013
anutami
anutami
Posts: 491
hikerdmb wrote:
That is an awesome canyon and your pics were great. Did Rusty have any troubles getting up there? Other than the heat. I haven't been up that canyon for probably 20 years but your pics brought back some good memories for me. Thanks!


Glad you liked them smile Rusty was unsure on some of the boulder scrambling we had to do. I had to lift him over several boulders because I didn't want him to try and run through the cat claw. Unfortunatly there is a no dogs allowed sign at the beginning of the trailhead I was not aware of. After all the planning involved and gas spent to drive two vehicles out there I was not about to turn around. Does anyone know why horses are allowed on the trail, but not dogs?
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anutami
anutami
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4/10/2013
anutami
anutami
Posts: 491
tommy750 wrote:
Looks like an awesome trip. Never been out that way and need to get out there before the gate closes. The Xterra's paint looks a little too pristine for those videos you posted smile Tom


I thought we would have used our xterra more than we do for off roading. It is a lot easier to take the truck and camper with all the supplies stocked in there. I just load up some food, clothes and ready to go. The paint on the truck and fiberglass on the camper is not so pristine.
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dsefcik
dsefcik
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4/10/2013
dsefcik
dsefcik
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Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Does anyone know why horses are allowed on the trail, but not dogs?
In general dogs are allowed only where vehicles are allowed and are required to be on leash at all times. I believe the idea is that dogs are more of a natural threat to other native wildlife and horses are not. Dogs will leave scents and such that may cause other wildlife not to go back to the area.

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ziphius
ziphius
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4/10/2013
ziphius
ziphius
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Boy, that was a great introduction to an area I've never been to. Kids (and grown-ups) must have had a blast. Great damselfly photo, I'll see if I can scrounge up an identification for you. The pictograph.... who knows?

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tommy750
tommy750
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4/10/2013
tommy750
tommy750
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Anyone found the Cougar Canyon solstice cave? Read an article about it some time back that included a vague location. Apparently had a window constructed in one end that created a solstice alignment. Tom
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DesertWRX
DesertWRX
Posts: 135


4/10/2013
DesertWRX
DesertWRX
Posts: 135
dsefcik wrote:
Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Does anyone know why horses are allowed on the trail, but not dogs?
In general dogs are allowed only where vehicles are allowed and are required to be on leash at all times. I believe the idea is that dogs are more of a natural threat to other native wildlife and horses are not. Dogs will leave scents and such that may cause other wildlife not to go back to the area.


Daren is correct about the predator aspect of dogs vs horses and the scent they leave.
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ziphius
ziphius
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4/22/2013
ziphius
ziphius
Posts: 911
Hey, it looks like your damselfly is an 'American Rubyspot' (Hetaerina americana), probably a female or immature. They like swift-flowing streams or even flowing irrigation canals in desert areas:

http://www.odophile.com/3%20Damselfly%20Portraits/slides/American%20Rubyspot,%20female%200977d.html

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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/14/2016
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
tommy750 wrote:
Anyone found the Cougar Canyon solstice cave? Read an article about it some time back that included a vague location. Apparently had a window constructed in one end that created a solstice alignment. Tom


I'm sure you already know, that was it.
PM sent anyway.
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Roryborealis
Roryborealis
Posts: 17


11/14/2016
Roryborealis
Roryborealis
Posts: 17
Great trip. Damn lucky kids!
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