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hikerdmb Posts: 423
8/29/2010
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First post in a while... but with the temps in Borrego Springs in the low 90s this weekend I know it is getting close to time to go out for a hike. I did make it out there twice this summer, once for a round of golf in July and once for a weekend hanging out at the pool at the Borrego Springs Resort in early August, but no backpacking or camping in the desert since spring. I spent the summer hiking lots of miles around Daley Ranch and around the reservoir above Elfin Forest as well as three great trips to the Mighty Sierra . But I am ready for the desert!
Oh sure its going to be hot again out there for another month or more but I still am ready. I am definitely backpacking up to Whale Peak this fall. I didn't make it there last year but it is tops on my list for this year. Hiking up through the Pinyon Pines and through all those small valleys is amazing, not to mention the view from the top. I remember one Sunday morning we were sitting on the large rocks on the western edge of the summit and got buzzed by a couple of Navy jets screaming up from the valley below. So close you could see the pilots' heads. Very loud but very cool. I have slept up there in the snow, in the rain, in the wind, in temps below 20 degrees, solo without another soul in sight a couple of times, but I've also had to share the summit with several people. It doesn't matter, it is still my favorite backpack trip in ABDSP.
This is a sunrise pic of our campsites from a few years back. It is not my favorite place to stay up there but it is alright.
Here is the sign that is on top. It used to be in one piece but over the years it has been deteriorating. I wonder if it is still there.
Anyone else ready? Got trips planned? I can't be the only one.
<em>edited by hikerdmb on 9/4/2010</em>
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
9/2/2010
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I have never been out to Whale Peak, that looks like a great place.
I really want to backpack the entire Carrizo Gorge and also out to peak 6582. I am thinking some time between now and Thanksgiving. Anybody else interested?
I just got back from a 9 day trip in Death Valley, hiked around and saw lots of really cool stuff, avg temps were around 120 most of the time.
Daren
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
9/4/2010
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Daren,
I've looked at that trip down Carizzo Gorge several times from different angles but never seriously considered it. It looks like a long way with lots of bushwacking. Maybe with all the illegal traffic there could be some sort of trails.
How was DV? Did you stay in any of the old cabins that are scattered around the park? I love those old places and it is so cool to stay in them and think about who built them and all that happened there in the past. What areas did you visit? This is a HOT time to be out there hiking around. I have been there many times but only in fall, winter, and spring and the highest temps were just a bit above 100. I don't know about hiking in the summer. I know this isn't a DV forum but maybe you could post a couple of pics. I put a couple pics of one of the old cabins and one of my favortie DV spots.
David
Here is my favorite cabin in DV.
And this is what it looks like inside. The wood stove keeps it nice and warm in the winter.
This is the Racetrack Valley where the rocks move across the playa and leave trails. A very cool place in DV
<em>edited by hikerdmb on 9/4/2010</em>
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
9/4/2010
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As your picture shows, the Hantivirus warnings in all the cabins make me shy away from them. I generally sleep in the back of my truck or outside. I just finished going thru my pictures and posted some here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/daren.sefcik/DeathValley82010?feat=directlink
It was a great time and the average daily temp was 120. Living out of the back of my truck for 8 days in that heat with 14 hour days was definitely a challenge. If we ever hook up in person we can chat about our adventures out there.
As for Carizzo Gorge, I am ready, I just bought a new 24" stainless steel machete. The only trails I have seen out there are animal trails, deer,cat,coyote,etc..It can be done I don't think the illegals go down the gorge much, I think they stay on the train tracks. I am thinking sometime around thanksgiving. If you are interested PM me, I *may* have another taker as well and we will see if Bob wants to go.
Daren
Greene-Denner_Drake Mill Cabin
Flowers on Telescope Peak Trail
<em>edited by dsefcik on 9/4/2010</em>
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
9/22/2010
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Hey Guys,
We actually may be out there on Thanksgiving. Usually it is a family thing so I am not sure I could get everyone to do the hike.
Mary and I could always hang out another day and do it.
I really like those cabin pictures you both put up. That is pretty amazing.
What is this Hantvirus you are talking about?
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
9/22/2010
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Hey David,
Good to touch base again.
I hear you about wanting to get back out to Borrego. I am itching to do some camping out there.
I would like to do that Whale Peak hike also.
Bob
hikerdmb wrote:
First post in a while... but with the temps in Borrego Springs in the low 90s this weekend I know it is getting close to time to go out for a hike. I did make it out there twice this summer, once for a round of golf in July and once for a weekend hanging out at the pool at the Borrego Springs Resort in early August, but no backpacking or camping in the desert since spring. I spent the summer hiking lots of miles around Daley Ranch and around the reservoir above Elfin Forest as well as three great trips to the Mighty Sierra . But I am ready for the desert!
Oh sure its going to be hot again out there for another month or more but I still am ready. I am definitely backpacking up to Whale Peak this fall. I didn't make it there last year but it is tops on my list for this year. Hiking up through the Pinyon Pines and through all those small valleys is amazing, not to mention the view from the top. I remember one Sunday morning we were sitting on the large rocks on the western edge of the summit and got buzzed by a couple of Navy jets screaming up from the valley below. So close you could see the pilots' heads. Very loud but very cool. I have slept up there in the snow, in the rain, in the wind, in temps below 20 degrees, solo without another soul in sight a couple of times, but I've also had to share the summit with several people. It doesn't matter, it is still my favorite backpack trip in ABDSP.
This is a sunrise pic of our campsites from a few years back. It is not my favorite place to stay up there but it is alright.
Here is the sign that is on top. It used to be in one piece but over the years it has been deteriorating. I wonder if it is still there.
Anyone else ready? Got trips planned? I can't be the only one.
edited by hikerdmb on 9/4/2010
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
9/22/2010
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9 days in Death Valley! You are hardcore :-)
Sounds like a great trip.
Did your son go with you?
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
I have never been out to Whale Peak, that looks like a great place.
I really want to backpack the entire Carrizo Gorge and also out to peak 6582. I am thinking some time between now and Thanksgiving. Anybody else interested?
I just got back from a 9 day trip in Death Valley, hiked around and saw lots of really cool stuff, avg temps were around 120 most of the time.
Daren
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
9/22/2010
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surfponto wrote:
9 days in Death Valley! You are hardcore :-)
Sounds like a great trip.
Did your son go with you?
Bob
I wrote it up here: http://www.sefcik.com/2010/09/death-valley-trip-august-2010.html
My son did not go..8-(
Bob, you up for a Peak 6582 or Carrizo Gorge hike?
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
9/22/2010
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A Carrizo Gorge Hike has always interested me.
When were you thinking?
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
surfponto wrote:
9 days in Death Valley! You are hardcore :-)
Sounds like a great trip.
Did your son go with you?
Bob
I wrote it up here: http://www.sefcik.com/2010/09/death-valley-trip-august-2010.html
My son did not go..8-(
Bob, you up for a Peak 6582 or Carrizo Gorge hike?
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
9/22/2010
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I had last weekend free and it was too hot in the desert for me, I can't do that hot hiking like Daren, so I left after school on Friday and headed to Independence. Dayhiked up Kearsarge Pass with my dog on Saturday. Did a short detour on the way down to visit a couple other lakes. Then drove back home on Sunday.
I don't have a date yet picked out for Whale Peak but I will let you know when I plan to do it. I am not sure of the Carrizo hike either. When you pick a date let me know and hopefully I can make that. That should be an adventure.
Here is a pic from the trip to the Sierra last weekend. It was beautiful except there is a fire over by Cedar Grove that made it pretty smoky in the afternoon and evening.
David
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
9/22/2010
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From the CDC website:
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
Most of the back country cabins have substantial rodent problems and there are numerous warnings in them about Hantavirus.
I am wondering if you and Mary might be interested in some kind of hike down the entire Carrizo Gorge canyon and we can arrange to have vehicles down at the end for a Thanksgiving camp out. Maybe have some friends who do not want to hike meet us there or??
Just an idea, I would be totally up for something like that. The Carrizo Gorge hike would be a 2 or maybe 3 day hike down from the freeway.
Daren
surfponto wrote:
Hey Guys,
We actually may be out there on Thanksgiving. Usually it is a family thing so I am not sure I could get everyone to do the hike.
Mary and I could always hang out another day and do it.
I really like those cabin pictures you both put up. That is pretty amazing.
What is this Hantvirus you are talking about?
Bob
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
9/22/2010
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We camped up at Heart Lake last summer and hiked up to that spot overlooking Kearsarge Pass.
It is incredible up there.
Waking up every morning it looked like a post card.
Hope to make it back there soon.
hikerdmb wrote:
I had last weekend free and it was too hot in the desert for me, I can't do that hot hiking like Daren, so I left after school on Friday and headed to Independence. Dayhiked up Kearsarge Pass with my dog on Saturday. Did a short detour on the way down to visit a couple other lakes. Then drove back home on Sunday.
I don't have a date yet picked out for Whale Peak but I will let you know when I plan to do it. I am not sure of the Carrizo hike either. When you pick a date let me know and hopefully I can make that. That should be an adventure.
Here is a pic from the trip to the Sierra last weekend. It was beautiful except there is a fire over by Cedar Grove that made it pretty smoky in the afternoon and evening.
David
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
9/22/2010
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hikerdmb wrote:
I had last weekend free and it was too hot in the desert for me, I can't do that hot hiking like Daren, so I left after school on Friday and headed to Independence. Dayhiked up Kearsarge Pass with my dog on Saturday. Did a short detour on the way down to visit a couple other lakes. Then drove back home on Sunday.
I don't have a date yet picked out for Whale Peak but I will let you know when I plan to do it. I am not sure of the Carrizo hike either. When you pick a date let me know and hopefully I can make that. That should be an adventure.
Here is a pic from the trip to the Sierra last weekend. It was beautiful except there is a fire over by Cedar Grove that made it pretty smoky in the afternoon and evening.
David
That looks like a great time, right near treeline...ahhh, nice and cool....
Anza is still showing temps in the triple digits, it has been consistently hot this year. To realistically hike the gorge it should be done in cooler temps that is why I am thinking November.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
10/8/2010
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That sounds like it may work.
We are planning on meeting friends at the start of RH Canyon on Thanksgiving Day.
We would have to leave our Landcruiser there and then maybe hike in from the 8
I am thinking we could do it in 2 days?
dsefcik wrote:
From the CDC website:
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
Most of the back country cabins have substantial rodent problems and there are numerous warnings in them about Hantavirus.
I am wondering if you and Mary might be interested in some kind of hike down the entire Carrizo Gorge canyon and we can arrange to have vehicles down at the end for a Thanksgiving camp out. Maybe have some friends who do not want to hike meet us there or??
Just an idea, I would be totally up for something like that. The Carrizo Gorge hike would be a 2 or maybe 3 day hike down from the freeway.
Daren
surfponto wrote:
Hey Guys,
We actually may be out there on Thanksgiving. Usually it is a family thing so I am not sure I could get everyone to do the hike.
Mary and I could always hang out another day and do it.
I really like those cabin pictures you both put up. That is pretty amazing.
What is this Hantvirus you are talking about?
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
10/8/2010
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I think 2 long days..yes..
Ideally someone would drop us off so we don't have to go back and pick up a vehicle.
Maybe PM me so we can discuss options offline.
Daren
surfponto wrote:
That sounds like it may work.
We are planning on meeting friends at the start of RH Canyon on Thanksgiving Day.
We would have to leave our Landcruiser there and then maybe hike in from the 8
I am thinking we could do it in 2 days?
dsefcik wrote:
From the CDC website:
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.
Most of the back country cabins have substantial rodent problems and there are numerous warnings in them about Hantavirus.
I am wondering if you and Mary might be interested in some kind of hike down the entire Carrizo Gorge canyon and we can arrange to have vehicles down at the end for a Thanksgiving camp out. Maybe have some friends who do not want to hike meet us there or??
Just an idea, I would be totally up for something like that. The Carrizo Gorge hike would be a 2 or maybe 3 day hike down from the freeway.
Daren
surfponto wrote:
Hey Guys,
We actually may be out there on Thanksgiving. Usually it is a family thing so I am not sure I could get everyone to do the hike.
Mary and I could always hang out another day and do it.
I really like those cabin pictures you both put up. That is pretty amazing.
What is this Hantvirus you are talking about?
Bob
--
http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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