Talk about a trip you took out to Anza Borrego
The Potrero
|
tommy750 Posts: 1040
7/27/2015
|
Wanted to get out for an overnight trip two weekends ago and ended up heading out to Potrero. Daren said he was in but over the preceding week his responses were yes/maybe/maybe/maybe/Definitely YES/Ah,no. Anyway, parked near Vallecito Co Park and headed south. Was raining on the way over and the temp had dropped in a few minutes from the 90's to high 70's. But it didn't stay that way. Had three liters to make it to a spring with "fresh" water. Was sure hoping it wouldn't be dry since the return 8 miles with a a half liter remaining wouldn't be all that fun. Lots of water when I got there and good thing I brought my filter 
 Tank by tomteske, on Flickr
Daren and a friend had cleaned some of the reeds out on an earlier trip and looks like they hadn't grown back.
 Tank2 by tomteske, on Flickr
 Only Drank 5L by tomteske, on Flickr
Had just enough time to set up my tent before a thunderstorm passed through. Realized I needed another coat of silicone over the seams after a few minutes.
 Tarptent by tomteske, on Flickr
Panorama from camp.
 Potrero Pano by tomteske, on Flickr
LOTs of frogs or toads hopping around when it got dark. Think they're Red Spotted Toads. There were a few adults and lots of juveniles.
 Tent Frogs2 by tomteske, on Flickr
 Tent Frogs by tomteske, on Flickr
Future frogs.
 Eggs by tomteske, on Flickr
Few pictographs.
 aaa_lab by tomteske, on Flickr
Early WiFi??
 C-163 Picto North2_lbk by tomteske, on Flickr
The 8 miles back the next day were warm to say the least. Temps and humidity in the low 90's so the Heat Index was starting to get interesting Enjoy. Tom
 heatindex by tomteske, on Flickr
|
|
|
link
|
|
tommy750 Posts: 1040
9/5/2020
|
Rocko1 wrote:
I didn't know there was a spring back there. Is it still viable?
I along with these froggies can attest it's quite viable as of a few weeks ago.
 IMG_4602 by tomteske, on Flickr
 IMG_4627 by tomteske, on Flickr
|
|
|
+1
link
|
|
tommy750 Posts: 1040
9/5/2020
|
sddarkman619 wrote:
Ziphius, the unwanted 4x4 traffic, were they stupid drunk people? Did they cause any issues? or did they leave?
Possibly taking my Daughter out for her first BP trip and hearing this makes me wonder if I should be concerned.
I know there's others on this forum who've been out in Potrero many more times than I have but during the dozen or so times I've been out there for day hikes and BP trips I've seen people three times, a couple people poking around a cultural site and two groups of hunters. Think it would be a great first backpacking trip choice.
edited by tommy750 on 9/5/2020
|
|
|
+1
link
|
|
ziphius Posts: 911
9/5/2020
|
Every once in a while, someone illegally drives a jeep trail back into the Potrero and that is annoying. I enjoy the place and plan on spending Election 2020 week back there with no outside contacts and no idea of what is going on. See this story: https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2016/nov/14/stringers-who-won-election-clinton-or-trump/
The key is to camp far away from any water sources so that 1) the animals can enjoy it at night and 2) your chances of running into someone are greatly diminished. I'll admit to having camped right next to water sources in the past, it's something I don't do any more. A few northbound travelers use the saddle route between Canebrake and The Potrero, I've found their discarded carpet slippers and snack containers. Camp off the beaten path and you likely will see no one.
edited by ziphius on 9/5/2020
--
http://www.coyotelearning.org
|
|
|
+1
link
|