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cattlemans shack between smugglers cave and Valley Messages in this topic - RSS

sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/22/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
I lived in Jacumba about 25 years ago for about 3 years. I was shown an old cattlemans shack up in the valley of hills between smugglers cave and valley of the moon. It's off the beaten trails up there but it can be found. I remember going there and there was the shack, water gathering cisterns and pipes and then later going there and the shack was burned down. Burned by some tweeked locals I knew form the area. I went to try to find it a couple weeks ago and couldn't find it and only had a few hours to hike around. Was wondering if anyone else knows of this area and if so can refresh my memory or show me on Google earth where it is. I plan on going up there this week and would like to have lunch there.
See attached photo
Thanks
Larry

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ImpatientHiker
ImpatientHiker
Posts: 41


11/23/2015
ImpatientHiker
ImpatientHiker
Posts: 41
Hi Larry. I remember the shack & it's contents progressively disappearing. Crap I'm get'n old, has it really been gone for more than 20 years?! I remember sneaking around several boulder-loving resident herds of horses with monster-sized leg musculature when the cabin still stood. There is a loop that leaves the main rd towards Smugglers cave and rejoins main rd via a wash to the south (bottom left of your oval). If you drive down that wash and park at the black line of your oval (I believe the rd is blocked off at that point now), you can find the homesite 1/4 to 1/2 mile downstream on the right. Google Earth shows a whole lot of traffic through the cabin site and downwash to the desert. I believe these should be pretty accurate but it's been awhile. 32*37'53.73" 116*05'21.56" If you follow the main wash down a mile or so, you'll find a nice (dry) waterfall with some greenery at the bottom. Have fun!
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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/24/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
Thanks Impatient, I'm heading there on Turkey day with the family.
Those horses were mustangs from Nevada or Az I believe, they all had the dry ice brands. I actually owned one of them. The mexicans in the area caught one, a mare, broke her and sold her to Felix the owner of Jacumba. I in turn bought her for 200$ at one point and road her all over up there in the hills.

The stallion used to come down to the stable and try to steal her back. caught him one night and almost got killed trying to scare him off.
I'll post pictures if I find it.
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ImpatientHiker
ImpatientHiker
Posts: 41


11/25/2015
ImpatientHiker
ImpatientHiker
Posts: 41
You're welcome. That's a great story, you must have many. I'd love to see those pic's. Have a great turkey day out there!
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tommy750
tommy750
Posts: 1040


11/25/2015
tommy750
tommy750
Posts: 1040
I think I visited that site a couple years ago and there's not much left. I have 32°37'36.07"N 116° 5'5.16"W as the coordinates. Love Valley of the Moon.

Shack Ruins by tomteske, on Flickr
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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/26/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
Thanks Guys, heading out there now. Also did Solstice cave and Carrizo Pictos yesterday, photos to come later today!
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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/26/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
Ok so Impatient hikers coords were on the money: 32*37'53.73" 116*05'21.56
what's left of it anyway, and boy how 25 years makes a difference in the terrain and plants that have grown up around there.

Tom, your coords is there something there also or were you thinking this would be the shack? I didn't get a chance to get to those coords.
I'm going back out there soon. I have been up to Elliott mine a few times in the past 20 years but the only time I was in the Valley of the moon was about 25 years ago on motorcycles, so I didn't remember much but walking around out there today, OMG!!!! So damn beautiful and so many places to explore and see. I'll be uploading my photos soon of this and the solstice hike by tomorrow. Such awesomeness out there. Need to get a backpack so I can go to Pinto Canyon with you Tom.
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tommy750
tommy750
Posts: 1040


11/27/2015
tommy750
tommy750
Posts: 1040
Glad you found what you were looking for, Larry. My coordinates were a pile of wood and sheet metal that looks like it could have been an old shack but couldn't find any pics so who knows. Tom
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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


11/27/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
I will be heading back there tomorrow again. I will be posting pictures later today.
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sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153


12/25/2015
sddarkman619
sddarkman619
Posts: 153
Finally got photos posted:
http://www.anzaborrego.net/AnzaBorrego/Forum/topic1148-cattlemans-shack-and-valley-of-the-moon.aspx?MessageID=7097#post7097
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