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Where is this more or less?

surfponto wrote:

Great pics Daren,
I would like to explore some of the old railroad artifacts at some point.

I think your truck would have made it down those rocks by the way

What's the story on that rock cabin?

Bob

I don't know much about the cabin, it was a brief mention in the Lindsay book and to be honest it was kinda hidden, we almost missed it..well I did, Scott my friend found it. It was right near the quarry so my guess is old miners built and used it. There were numerous artifacts like an old gas stove so it was not too old, maybe early to mid 1900.

I am certain that my truck could have navigated the road in skilled hands. I am just not there yet, I am still testing the waters with the truck and my own skills. It was steep and narrow, you can see all of the tire rub marks on the rocks and the whole center was piled up with rocks from people trying to get down it.

Enough about my trip out, how was Carrizo??

--

Those are great links David, thanks!

We did that loop a few years ago. It is a very nice hike. These pics are from that area but we did not do the whole loop this time. The little pass that goes from Rockhouse over into Bow Willow is very cool. Hiking on old Indian trails like that makes the hike. Also the views up into Bow Willow Canyon from there are fantastic. Tha old sign is on that trail.
David
edited by hikerdmb on 2/4/2011

Found this site tonight, amazing pictures!

http://www.loricareyphoto.com/gallery/2973402_DUveF#209484782_txfn2

That is interesting how all of them are standing with the front higher than their rear. Probably makes them ready to go up the slope as quickly as possible.

That looks like a Sunday morning hike, and we will probably be climbing 6582 on Sunday, so may not see this group at all. Doesn't sound as though they'll leave the desert floor, either.
My plan on this end is to drive down Friday, begin hiking Saturday. Climb up to the ridge and climb 6582 or whatever Sunday, hike down Monday. Drive home Tuesday. There's plenty of wiggle room in there, I hope, for side trips, or possibly a return through Rockhouse.
The popularity of this area has increased since I was last there, no doubt. Jerry Schad's book is likely to be a big factor in that--Afoot and Afield was my bible when I lived in Leucadia in the nineties.

Here's the link:
http://technopeasant.org/
click on ANZA 2000
Not too many photos, had my first digital camera along, a 1.2 megapixel.

Bob, glad you liked the pics. I've just started to pull old files to load online. Is a daunting task, and some pics I recognize but never labeled as to location. And as I look over the Kodachrome stuff, find that my Carrizo Gorge photos never got scanned. I once saw a couple of guy riding a battery powered cart on those rails, complete with a trailer (for their cooler of beer). They just carried the cart over the rough bits, had lawn chairs tied to the cart to ride in comfort,, etc.
That 1.2 megapixel was Olympus' first stabilized digital camera with a 10x zoom, with a second digital screen in the eyepiece. Good lens, I think, very sharp, maybe better than my current camera, Canon's sx20.

Consider joining us on this hike. With a map in hand I can show you numerous routes in the area for future consideration. There's a ancient painting out in the Rockhouse area that I've yet to see any mention of, and a healthy spring full of water, too.
A local fellow up here (SF Bay Area), Richard, I'm hoping will join the hike, too.
If you're familiar with multi-day backpacking, there are only a couple of parts of this trip that will be sort of tough. The climb from Corp with a full pack (40-45 lbs) is a bit of a sweat, since it involves some scrambling. And were we to try to camp on the Santa Rosa Ridge, climbing up there with full packs is difficult, too. But if a water camp were made down lower, then the second day will be easier than the first, because though the elevation gain is severe, only water for a day hike is needed.

The area below 6582 can be quite sublime this time of the year. Rockhouse Basin I've always found to be sort of gloomy, for some reason, but the foothills below 6582 usually bask in sunshine, have nice views, etc. And with three days to do the route, there's no rush.

If you have any questions about waterless backpacking, don't hesitate to ask. It involves stripping out all the non-essential gear and replacing that weight with water, 5 quarts per 24 hours. On a three day/two night trip, three gallons of water plus an extra quart or so, is enough, in mild temps. No coffee, alcohol, tea, or anything other such diuretic.

--Stewart

Nice pictures Bob!

I think we missed each other, I was camping with my son Sat/Sun/Mon near Indian Gorge, will post some pics and a TR soon.

Bob,
The camper stays nice and dry. We have had it in rain several times and also in snow a few times and never a problem. Snow on the solar panel keeps it from doing its job but that is the only problem. When it is really cold we do get some condensation inside but not too bad. The north end of the park was wet when we got there on Friday and after the rain it was really wet. I was surprised that Font's and Inspiration Washes both flowed across the road and down into Clark Lake. The official storm total over the weekend for Borrego Springs was 1.48". For Agua Caliente, it was 1.73". That should help the southern part a bit. Looks like more rain and snow this coming weekend too. I am hoping to get out this weekend but not sure yet and then the second weekend of March if possible. Those pictographs you found are very nice. I have never seen the hand images before. I would love to know where those are. Did you happen to go across from the Blue Sun Cave to the huge tank or were you not out that far? I bet after this last weekend it is full to the top.
David

I am wondering if we should just make it a group party for the 19th and hike peak 6582 once and for all....

Found the petroglyphs in Clark Valley about 2 yrs ago-- they were in much better condition than I'd heard, but it took a while to find that Corp marker!! We also found lots of pottery and an old 50mm casing. I'd post pics from our trip out there but I don't know how... so I added them to a Photobucket album- http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/SoCalDiveGirl/Anza%20Borrego%202009/

Bob,
Thanks for sharing. I haven't been out in about 3 weeks and I was kind of having withdrawals. You pics and TR helped. That cave looked very cool and I don't think I have ever seen pottery in ABDSP with a pattern in it like that. Looks like lots of flowers too. I especially like the ghost flower pics.
David

Okay, thanks, Daren, for checking in. I'll post the trip on my website when I get back.
--Stewart

We are shooting for the north fork...but plans do change...

Hey Bob,
I think more tweaking may be in order. I saw a white window with a "Start Slide Show" button in the upper left corner. I did not see any pics. Since I haven't been to the desert in almost a month, I need to see some pics!
David

Much better. Nice palm grove too. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great trip. Looks like rain here in north county.
David

Thanks for the comments, I am really enjoying using the camera and need to thank Andy for pushing me to finally get a good camera. I really do need to find a better way to carry it around though, maybe one of those chest thingies...

@David, no gps tracks..note the comment "I even managed to lose Scott's $300 GPS and my camera screen cover along the way." It was a loop hike around false sombrero and back into indian valley via a low saddle east of the end of the valley. Most of the flowers really were small, most were only a few inches above the ground and only an inch or so big (some smaller) and it was hard to get clean pics with the wind blowing them around.

@Bob, I know you mentioned wanting to go out there, I have the next couple of weeks off (sorta) for spring break so let me know.

Hi,
Recently,I hiked several relatively "new" routes in ABSP.
Here is Henderson Canyon, Palm Mesa, Borrego Palm Canyon Loop with the report, pictures and GPS track

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=931965
on EveryTrail.
edited by Alexey on 3/24/2011

Any updates on this? I wouldn't mind stopping by there and have a look at it.

hikerdmb wrote:

That is an amazing camera!

OMG..I just looked at the original sized photo full screen...eeek...that's my leg!

Click this link for a full size, up,up close shot:

http://sefcik.smugmug.com/Photography/Anza-Borrego-Desert-State-Park/Indian-Clark-Blair-Valley-03/16442960_DPj8h#1237209566_2LCMM-O-LB

Guess they just had a big party also

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5958

That looks pretty cool, since it is on the reservation do you need to get approval or is it public access?

No worries, I'll have some stuff for you over the next few months..my season is just starting!

surfponto wrote:

ON another note
The forum seems to have died a bit. This happened last year too about this time.
What noone likes to go out to the Desert in June- August?
What is up with that?

wescarmichael wrote:

Thanks Daren. Looks like I'll save the desert for people hikes.

I mostly do, but my dog doesn't like the heat and the few times I have taken him he ends up getting cactus balls in his paws, no fun for him or me. There are some dogs though that do quite well out in the desert, mine is just not one of them.

once i get to borrego springs how do i get to the actual caves ?i tried finding them last time and all i found was a place to go dirt bike riding

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/6548

Stopped at Jacumba the last trip, the SPL staging area is looking good....

Daren;

Is that Coyote Melon edible?

Tom

Daren,
That looks like the same little cave. In fact the two dolls in my pic are in your pic too. The metal post by the cave in my pic was just a short piece of I-beam that was standing upright. It was moveable. I guess all the other dolls in that cave moved to a cooler home this summer.
David

Bob;

Did you do the diesel conversion to the LandCruiser, or did you get it that way? It's tempting because I'm only getting about 13 mpg.

Tom

Not my report but check out this awesome TR about an MTB trip from DeAnza to Ocotillo, I think I am gonna go dust off my mountain bike....

http://www.dirttreaders.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=9399&start=0