dsefcik

all messages by user

10/21/2019
Topic:
Rockhouse Canyon / Rockhouse Valley

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:
Most SUVs and trucks should be able to get to the Butler/Rockhouse junction. The final 3 miles to the end of Rockhouse Truck Trail can be a mess. It depends on how bad the monsoons were, how armored your vehicle is, or how tolerant you are of body damage.


Very tolerant....this was from back in 2013, just didn't see that boulder...
10/21/2019
Topic:
Little Blair Valley Overnight

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:


Yes, it's a .67oz/cubic yard dyneema composite. It's a bit thicker than their standard dyneema as the camo is laminated on. It makes it less see through than the lighter .51/oz material. The moon still shines through pretty well though.



I am gonna have to get back to some sewing projects, Dyneema is cool but expensive. I did make some food storage bags for our Grand Canyon trip back in Nov. The material is supposed to be rodent resistant.

10/22/2019
Topic:
CalTopo is stepping up their game

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Was just looking at the CalTopo Blog and they have several new cool features, 4WD road map layers for BLM and USFS lands, mobile app for Android and iOS. Check out the blog for more info about CalTopo. After using it for several years now it's one of those things you wonder how you made do without.



11/4/2019
Topic:
Salton Sea to Cuyamaca Lake-Best Route?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
deborah wrote:

Anyway, here's a link to map. I think I have it set to be visible, but let me know if you can't get to it.

https://caltopo.com/m/VLAV


Your route is slightly different than the original...check out the wayback machine for the last one:

https://web.archive.org/web/20030603211938/http://www.lostboysultra.com/

Here is the course map
11/4/2019
Topic:
Salton Sea to Cuyamaca Lake-Best Route?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:


That race looks awesome but brutal. I was hoping they had the gps track but I didn't see that on the website.


Found out my brother is moving out of state soon so this trip may have to be shelved for a bit.

Hope you get a chance to get back out there and do it.
11/4/2019
Topic:
Pinyon Ridge

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:


I dig that setup! What is the bed length of the truck?

6.5' I believe...not quite as roomy as my old red dodge with the 8' bed and full size crewcab...wink
11/4/2019
Topic:
Rockhouse Canyon / Rockhouse Valley

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tommy750 wrote:

Excuse me but aren’t you the guy blowing me sh*t for the rocker panel microscratch on the Tundra you bought from me that I got while jammed up in Hueso wash??

Which microscratch you referring to..?

The passenger side one


or the drivers side??
11/4/2019
Topic:
On the way to Mile High Mountain

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Mile High is still on my list....been around it may times but never actually to it...thanks for the TR.
11/4/2019
Topic:
Sheep outside Anza Borrego (photo heavy)

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Wow...stunning pics Buford...nicely done, I really enjoyed looking at these.
11/4/2019
Topic:
Brand New Rock Art Book November 2019

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Nice work on the new volume Don, congratulations...Thumbs Up
11/6/2019
Topic:
Rockhouse Canyon / Rockhouse Valley

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
My brother got tired of the scratches as well and painted his entire Explorer in bed liner. Problem solved.


OMG...Desert Tan bed liner no less...I know what I am doing this 3 day weekend..!!!

11/6/2019
Topic:
Access to Pinyon Ridge (Mt. Wilson)

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Ditto Buford's comments...check out this map of where you would most likely be able to drive a passenger car:

https://caltopo.com/m/PACV
11/6/2019
Topic:
Sheep outside Anza Borrego (photo heavy)

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Again, stunning photos Buford, thanks for taking time to share, I know how much work it is.
11/8/2019
Topic:
Grapevine Mountain and Bitter Creek

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Definitely pretty washes up top and great views. Hopefully my rock stacking made the register a little easier to find...wink
11/8/2019
Topic:
Grapevine Mountain and Bitter Creek

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
When Gary and I recently went up Grapevine we saw a nice 4 point buck, a good sized doe and two tarantulas.
11/14/2019
Topic:
100 Year Anniversary of Carrizo Gorge

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I won't be able to attend this but maybe someone on this forum will...

https://eccalifornian.com/railroad-hails-in-100-year-birthday/

11/14/2019
Topic:
Brand New Rock Art Book November 2019

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:


Very cool. Are any of the Poway/Rancho Bernardo images in your book?

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/news/local-news/sd-cm-pow-news-rock-art-20181203-htmlstory.html

That is a good question...I don't think Don put any of the RB style rock art in the book but I am not certain. There are some amazing panels in the RB area for sure and a member at the SDRAA once gave a really fascinating lecture about them.
11/14/2019
Topic:
The ABF 2020 ABDSP Photo Contest

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Deadline is Dec 1'st.

@Buford - Hope you got some in.
11/14/2019
Topic:
The ABF 2020 ABDSP Photo Contest

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:

Mine are no where near as good as some previous entries.

I disagree....you have some crazy good photos.
11/29/2019
Topic:
Texas trip

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Beautiful country, thanks for sharing, always good to see other areas and wildlife...Thumbs Up
11/29/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Gary and I spent about 9 days roaming around Death Valley the week before Thanksgiving, no real plan other than hike around in the desert a bit. Drove out via Trona and hit up Telescope Peak the first day. After that we just kinda picked some locations each night looking at the map. Rogers Peak radio towers, Charcoal Kilns, Jayhawker Cyn, Greene-Denner-Drake Mill Site, Greenwater, Saratoga Springs, Crystal Camp, Skidoo Mill Site, Owlhead Mtns and a few more along the way. I really like the whole Greenwater Valley area and the Saratoga Springs / Crystal Camp area has amazing colors, I totally recommend the Owlhead Mtns area. The Skidoo Mill Site was very cool also but you need to spend some time hiking around to find everything. We got perfect weather and went home just before the big storm rolled in.

I am losing energy these days to write up long trip reports so am just gonna post up a few pics here and you can see more of the trip photos here.

These are all B/W film using a very contrasty Rollie Retro 80s film, I kinda like it personally. Developed with Rodinal. Shot with an Olympus OM-4 and a 30-105mm Zuiko lens.

My last Trip Report for Death Valley was back in 2010, you can read that long trip report here.

Funeral Peak early morning


Saratoga Springs Mill Site, this was a great place to hike around for half a day


Owl Dry Lake, we found several 50 caliber and 20mm casings and the machine gun "belt" clips out on the dry lake.


Black Magic Mine is another great place to explore, here is Gary looking out towards Owl Dry Lake from one of the viewpoints


Greenwater Valley early morning


The feral burros have really taken over many areas of the park and surrounding BLM lands. They have a whole network of deep rutted paths all over out there.


If you like these photos, you can see the rest of them from our trip here https://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Death-Valley/Death-Valley-11-2019/

I may add color photos also if the mood strikes me.

Total mylar balloons this trip: 5 (color photos on my phone)

--
11/29/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tekewin wrote:
Love the burros! Nice shot of the kilns, too.

How was Telescope? Is there a lot of snow on it right now?

Probably snow now....we hiked the peak the day before all the rain/snow moved in. The hike is easy enough but there is some climbing to do for sure.

11/29/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Scooter wrote:
Had a week long trip planned last spring. All the dirt roads were washed out so postponed until this March. Was able to locate numerous rock art site locations on the internet prior to our trip. Spent the night on top Telescope Peak two years ago, everyone should put that on their bucket list. Thanks for the trip report.

Gary and I ran into one of the park volunteers (206) who asked if we could carry up a new register, the old one was full. The register that is there is new from my 2010 trip and all of the logs have been archived at Cow Creek. I think I have been up Telescope 4 times now.

Turns out a new register was already put in a couple weeks beforehand....we left our Nov dated register also.

11/29/2019
Topic:
Good places for rainy days

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
meh....I don't like hiking in the rain, I stay home....Cool

@Buford....really? RedTop / Indianhead / Sawtooth? Bit Wonky..
11/29/2019
Topic:
Elder North first ascent

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
bow

Nice work....!
11/29/2019
Topic:
Sunrise Hwy to Granite Mountain

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Very Nice...that is one good day hike!
11/29/2019
Topic:
Anyone seen any rodents?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Beautiful..!

One of my favorite places to photograph raptors was the San Dieguito River Valley area on the east side of the freeway from Lake Hodges. Had a redtail gnab a rabbit in front of me once.



-
11/30/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
rockhopper wrote:
Telescope is a nice steady hike. It is between the highest and lowest points of the continental United States with great views in all directions. Glad you missed the big storms rolling trough. Photos are excellent. Glad you had a great trip. Our last week long trip in Death Valley my friends dog fell down a vertical mine shaft as we were walking in a horizontal mine in the Panamints. The dog survived! Even though he fell down about 80 feet, he landed in a soft giant cone of dust. Retrieving the dog was a chore. Went on 6 more days with the dog camping in the snow.
That is sad about the dog but am glad he was fine. My son and I stopped at Minietta on a trip many years ago and he tried to get me to go down some of those shafts but no way would I go down them, just way too sketchy.
11/30/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:
Nice. Death Valley is awesome. Was it crowded leading up to the holiday? I assume the Owlhead area had few if any people?

Lucky the road was open to the Telescope trailhead. We spent Thanksgiving at Mahogany Flats a couple years ago and I did Telescope and Wildrose Peaks.

Those b+w pictures are one style I am trying to replicate digitally and not getting there yet.


More crowded than I expected...but only at Trona and Telescope...everywhere else we saw one car or none. Wildrose was fine while we were there, it snowed the day after we left..pity the couple of cars and hikers that headed up that day, it was windy and miserable. Owlhead mtns road was full of military contractor trucks to the Fort Irwin gate but after that I only saw one other person, I don't think many people go past Saratoga Springs. Death Valley is just vast, the road to the Crystal Camp parking spot was 40 miles one way on dirt roads.
12/8/2019
Topic:
Lower Carrizo Creek

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Very nice photos...! yes, snow everywhere...Gary and I were out in Pine Valley area, looking towards Cuyamaca
12/8/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
Did you make it out to Devils Hole?
Not this trip....years ago with my son however yes.
12/8/2019
Topic:
Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
deborah wrote:
Nice pictures on your other site too. That's a serious vehicle by the Trona Pinnacles. Do you happen to know what it was for? Looks like someone was on a serious mission. smile
Was just one guy who just bought it and was cruising around. Said some place in Montana builds them off of military vehicles. Pretty interesting for sure.
12/8/2019
Topic:
Daughter Shows interest in some hiking

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Thumbs Up !
12/8/2019
Topic:
Jacumba Mountains

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Beautiful out there, glad you made it out....of course since it was raining I didn't go...Cool
12/8/2019
Topic:
Jacumba Mountains

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Oh..and I guess Deborah can add that area to her list of rainy day trips....Thumbs Up
12/10/2019
Topic:
Sheep, Coyote & Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:
A sheep, coyote and rabbit all in one picture:

hehe
12/11/2019
Topic:
Sheep, Coyote & Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Nice photos..keep them coming...
12/20/2019
Topic:
Inner Pasture Suggestions?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
ziphius wrote:
Moonlight Canyon trail from Agua Caliente Co. Park is the standard route. Mile 41 canyon off the S2 has easier terrain, but more migrant foot-traffic.

What He Said

I have seen migrants several times at night there while backpacking in the area. Last time there was a train of 8 all dressed in black with the blanket shoes, talked to them for a bit and they all moved on. Was leaving Blair early one time and saw a guy stumbling out onto the highway at MM 41. You will probably set off an (as Ranger Steve used to say) "un-permitted BP sensor" and be greeted by low flying helicopters. We have had them buzz us several times. BP in Ocotillo says it is not their area but instead their sister dept out of Murietta...I don't get that though.

All in all, great area to explore and nothing to be nervous about 'cept maybe rattlers.

Your not gonna get in/out under a min of 14 miles or so.
12/20/2019
Topic:
Kitchen Creek Fall Colors

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:

I found a deer tick crawling on my hand when I was taking pictures of the sheep off Montezuma a couple weeks ago.
BHS and ticks seem to go hand in hand...had some BP agent tell me he always got ticks out near the island when following sheep trails.
12/20/2019
Topic:
Kitchen Creek Fall Colors

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
ziphius wrote:
Nice photos. I ran into a couple of researchers collecting ticks along Pine Valley Creek last week.
Same here, only 10 years ago...was heading out to hike the secret cyn trail and some guy was there collecting ticks.

Have had ticks in the last several months hiking Cuyamaca/Laguna with Gary and Tom also....they are out there, you gotta watch for them.
12/20/2019
Topic:
Kitchen Creek Fall Colors

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I like the wet sumacs and the lighting thru the bricks...very nice....Thumbs Up
12/20/2019
Topic:
Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I am not recognizing the mystery area, half wanna say the mud caves area but don't think that is it.
Is that a real bat??

Great pics and love the snow, good to see you back..!
12/20/2019
Topic:
Granite Mountain West Approach

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
This post was a great history lesson...and great photos...!
12/20/2019
Topic:
PCT South from Scissors Crossing

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
deborah wrote:
On the subject of packs, I wanted to mention Nathan and Ultimate Direction packs..

Back when I was doing all of the ultra running stuff, the UD gear was my favorite for sure.
1/9/2020
Topic:
Jojoba Wash with new All Terrain Bobcat truck camp

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Looks good Bob, sorry my son and I missed you...we ended up hiking 9 miles in the rain the next day. I remember when I had a 12' cab over on my old Chevy C20, very cozy when it started raining or got windy.

@Tommy750 - Guess it is time for an upgrade, gotta keep up with the Jones's...
1/9/2020
Topic:
Plane Wrecks

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
When you did this trip did you camp near the crash site? Looks like a pretty steep and rocky climb.

It is a day hike from the camp ground, head up moonlight trail and it is up a drainage before you drop down into Inner Pasture.
1/9/2020
Topic:
Plane Wrecks

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Britain wrote:
My dad used to fly a version of that plane. Vid of him putzing about over San Diego Bay.
https://youtu.be/B5HbHBeOUFA
edited by Britain on 12/28/2019



That was cool..! Thanks for posting
1/9/2020
Topic:
Indian Signs Along Carrizo Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Great write up as usual Tom, thanks for sharing that. BLM LE ???? I think I have only seen that a few times out at McCain Valley and out at Carrizo/Painted Gorge areas.

https://archive.org/details/desertmagazine

I can probably host the collection if that link does not work.
1/9/2020
Topic:
Desert Magazine Archive Downloads

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I posted up the collection I have here at this link

Grab 'em while you can, not sure how long I will leave them up....Quiet
1/9/2020
Topic:
Indian Signs Along Carrizo Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
dsefcik wrote:

https://archive.org/details/desertmagazine



I posted them up here at this link
1/9/2020
Topic:
Desert Magazine Archive Downloads

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
OK, still looking thru old files on this...for you unix/linux folks or bsd on the mac's...here are some ideas to search the desert mag pdf files.

1. open terminal and "cd" to the directory where all of the desert mag file are
2. in a bash/bourne shell run this command but substitute the "rock house" with your own search term:

"for f in *.pdf; do echo "$f" >> /tmp/desertmg.txt;pdftotext "$f" - | grep -i "rock house" >> /tmp/desertmg.txt; done"

3. review the /tmp/desertmg.txt file for your results.


There is probably a simpler/easy way to search them but hey, this is what I know....wink

---
1/10/2020
Topic:
Snow and more sheep

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
You are accumulating a great collection of BHS photos, nice work!
I was out in Death Valley again and the Mojave area with all of the snow, it was just amazing, pictures soon.

I am glad you have the energy to take and process these great photos, I know how much work it is, everyone really enjoys them.
1/10/2020
Topic:
Indian Signs Along Carrizo Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
tommy750 wrote:
surfponto wrote:


E-Bike? Hmm now you have me thinking wink


Fat biking with a little boost is really nice out in the sand and rocks. Haven't used it as much as I'd liked but sure is fun. Did a 21 mile ride out in Canyon Sin Nombre and Vallecito a while back and was a decent workout but much easier and more fun with a little help. This trip was probably only about five miles on the bike and a few miles hiking. Would definitely look into it!



So it does ok in softer sand?

I will give the "E-" part a thumbs up...Thumbs Up
I have an old fashioned fat bike with regular old pedals and a chain and Tom kicks my arse on every ride....wink
1/10/2020
Topic:
Weekend trip

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Very Nice...hummingbirds expend an enormous amount of energy flying around.
1/10/2020
Topic:
Jet crash site Mine Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
The crash site is further up the road on the left up on a hillside. It is not hard to get to, you can probably see it on GE but I have not checked. I have not been to the Stag Cove one yet.
1/10/2020
Topic:
Coyote Mountain

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Nice post, still have yet to get up Coyote.

My understanding is that the RHC road was closed briefly but now re-opened with the cooperation of the Clark Lake LLC. The parking/camping area just past the lake now has a seismic sensor and looks abandoned as a camping spot. There are No Access signs all over where people used to camp in the RV's. I am wondering if anybody has any specific info about the road...?

Good thing is now you can drive thru the old quarry and take the road around the dry lake if it gets mudd'ed out.
1/10/2020
Topic:
Carrizo Marsh

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
davidwyby wrote:
we did work on the machine that was shredding tamarisk in carrizo gorge

Did the crews ever get past the Coyote Spike Camp section? Seemed like they stopped there.
1/10/2020
Topic:
Jet crash site Mine Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
If I remember it correctly, there wasn't much of anything big, lots of little stuff strewn all over the hillside. Little Blair has stuff in several locations.
1/16/2020
Topic:
Jojoba Wash with new All Terrain Bobcat truck camp

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
1/18/2020
Topic:
Snow and more sheep

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tekewin wrote:
The cougars I've caught on camera have always been in canyons, in forested ranges, too, not just the desert.
Cougars definitely will hang out up on ridges and at water sources, they will go where needed and they definitely have a presence in ABDSP where BHS and deer habitate.
1/18/2020
Topic:
Easiest way to Hellhole Flats?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I did it from Culp Valley Campground...easy?...sure, I guess...compared to..??

Full route and photos: https://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Anza-Borrego-Desert-State-Park/Hellhole-Flat-10-16-2016/
1/19/2020
Topic:
Easiest way to Hellhole Flats?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tekewin wrote:
Thanks, Daren! It looks like you picked a good place to cross Hellhole Canyon. When I was looking at the map, I considered going up the side of Webo, but that would be inefficient. I'll save this track and try it next time I head out there.

The drop down to the H-E-double hockey sticks (on the topo) is total bushwack and probably ticks, the north side of the draw is much nicer. There was water flowing down in the draw when I did that trip. I also saw a family of deer up there.
1/19/2020
Topic:
Another Death Valley Trip

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Spent another week out in Death Valley after Xmas. Took some color film this time.

https://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Death-Valley/Death-Valley-12-26-2019/

Anybody know what this ampoule might contain? Nitro? Morphine? Found a concentrated area of them, all broken except this one, I left it in a gentle place.



Crystal Camp Epsom Salt Mine


Plenty of snow all around


What the heck is this??


Total Mylar Balloons was like 20 or something, too lazy to take photos of them, sorry....

--
1/20/2020
Topic:
Palm Canyon Fire

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
Sad. I can't imagine it not being some idiot who lit/caused the fire.
My unofficial sources say it was an idiot who did it on purpose.
1/20/2020
Topic:
Another Death Valley Trip

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:
Great pictures and interesting find. The last looks like some sort of large bullet?
Not sure, almost more like a ballistic head or such, was not really a "bullet". It was however something barely sticking out of the ground right in the middle of a burro trail and I kicked it around a few times as only about a 1/4" was exposed in the dirt....then I pulled it out and thought maybe I should not have been kicking it...dunno
1/20/2020
Topic:
Easiest way to Hellhole Flats?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Rocko1 wrote:

Was this a 2 day trip Daren? Curious as the time required to get in/out.

Yeah, Craig and I did a single over nighter, was easy enough and we explored around out on the flat.
1/20/2020
Topic:
Carrizo Creek - Gert wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Yep, the Tamarisk guys will torch them down, I remember once flying in a helicopter over Carrizo Gorge and they were torching tons of them, just burnt spot after another.



Did they tell you anything about their mission?
1/20/2020
Topic:
Oriflame Mountain

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
You get any ticks?/ They seem to be abundant this year, I got one going up Sunset Mtn last weekend and that was mostly all boulders.
1/21/2020
Topic:
240 Years of Cattle Ranching

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
It is a good paper...it was written by Sue Wade who was the park archeologist until a few years ago when she retired. Search for other documents written by her, you should find a few more.
edited by dsefcik on 1/21/2020
1/21/2020
Topic:
Butler Canyon

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Thanks for posting that..I was out there with my son at Christmas and saw how buried the cart was...maybe it will get un-buried after the next flash flood thru there..! Did you find the BHS skull and bones?
1/23/2020
Topic:
Sunrise in Jojoba Wash

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Bob, you taking some advancements on your retirement?
1/25/2020
Topic:
Other forums/fb groups?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
ziphius wrote:
I've been a part of a couple of Anza Borrego groups on FB. The thing with FB groups is that they quickly get too big, then I'm no longer interested, because of the 'noise'. I recently signed off of the San Diego County Hiking Society FB group for the same reason. This forum is small and has a high information-to-noise ratio, is populated by people who spend a lot of time in the desert, and has an unwritten rule that we don't share locations of protected resources (rock art, etc). If this forum ever got to the point of being very large, I couldn't imagine sticking with it. It's one major reason why we go to the desert, to avoid crowds! wink

What He Said
2/5/2020
Topic:
Photography

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Very nice Anna's shot..!

I am becoming more a fan of using zoom lenses to capture closer images and get that "compressed" looked, kinda like these recent photos from Death Valley



2/5/2020
Topic:
PCT North of Scissors Crossing

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Thanks for the road report deborah. I drove the road in from Ranchita years ago and remember a couple bad spots but your recent report going in from the 78 seems accurate.
2/5/2020
Topic:
Salt Creek/Cottonwood Canyon

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
That's a chin up bar, even the old timers had to get their fitness time in......

I really like that area and it deserves more exploring. Damn ticks..seem really bad this year, I am gonna try that Permethrin stuff.
2/5/2020
Topic:
Another Death Valley Trip

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
MellowCat wrote:
Found your site today, some great photography and trip reports! I'm in Cincinnati Ohio, but typically come out to SW Desert a few times per year to escape the bugs and rain! I'm guessing the ampules are laudanum?

Laudanum is as good a guess as any, it was about 75% full and clear liquid inside. I still have not found any images online that match the ones I found. You just never know what you will find out in the desert.
2/6/2020
Topic:
June Wash and Hapaha Flat saddle

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Great TR, thanks for sharing that. There are about 11 guzzlers I believe in the area, that one I have not visited yet. There are a couple more near Dave McCain. As far as an east ascent of Whale, you could do it going up an alluvial from Split Rock, we did a descent that way.

http://www.sefcik.com/2013/11/little-blair-to-alma-wash-backpack-trip.html

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2/6/2020
Topic:
Photography

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Where you see this look a lot is with sun rise/set types of photos.

Here is the sunrise over the Coyote mtns



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2/14/2020
Topic:
Photography

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Nice photos again....you got a nice cholla ball shot and that ram with scar on the RH shoulder area, keep an eye for him later on.

That looks like the Villager/Rabbit ramp?
2/17/2020
Topic:
Photography

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I know this little itty bitty plant but can't find the name for it!

--
Buford wrote:


Interesting native, I think, plant:

edited by dsefcik on 2/17/2020
2/25/2020
Topic:
Photography

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford, very nice recent additions.
2/25/2020
Topic:
Thimble from Cherry Canyon

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I think that is the way Gary and I went once but we never summited the last rock scramble...nice work!
2/25/2020
Topic:
Whale Peak overnight

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Whale Peak is always nice (except in the snow). The Smugglers side can be tough.

Here is another route for those thinking of something different

http://anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic155-whale-peak--inner-pasture--goat-cyn-trestle.aspx

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2/25/2020
Topic:
Whale Peak overnight

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Buford wrote:
For all the Bobcat signs around it's amazing how little of them are actually seen.

They are around..








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3/5/2020
Topic:
Butler Canyon

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
joanelainemarshall wrote:
Were were just there. Here's our pics. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cqE4nKmrVE9BpV46A

I can't figure out how to embed a photo here...

Joan
Looks like you spent several days out there, lots of great pictures, thanks for sharing. Looks like you also hiked out around Bow Willow and the old indian trail to Torote?
3/5/2020
Topic:
Can anyone ID this location?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I have played around with some areas I was thinking of but google earth doesn't agree....will need to check out a few more ideas.
3/5/2020
Topic:
Butler Canyon

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
joanelainemarshall wrote:
We didn't go out to Bow Willow. Started at the Mountain Palm Grove and hiked out to the Torote Bowl to see the elephant trees. Then, we hiked around the palm grove loop. 4 days of hiking. We climbed Granite Peak via Cool Canyon also.
Joan

I guess I just kinda lump in Mtn Palm Springs area with Bow Willow but yes, what you described is what I had in mind. Was the honey comb photo from cool canyon?
4/1/2020
Topic:
Park Closed?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Officially it is closed. We were out there last weekend (before it closed) and it was Spring Break for most folks and the rangers were busy at Ocotillo Wells and the north end of the park. Christmas Circle had tons of visitors, motorcycle riders, Jeeps, etc. Cuyamaca had beautiful snow and very few people, I saw one family with an entire hillside to themselves, sliding down the slopes.
4/1/2020
Topic:
Granite Mountain? ID Help

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
I am not seeing Granite Mtn in there but it sure looks awfully familiar....I am still looking....
4/9/2020
Topic:
GPS Collar Retrieval Near Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Nice pics Tom, I like them..!

No real good place to carry a stray 6" blade up and down the side of a rocky desert mountain, but the shoulder strap worked...mostly

4/11/2020
Topic:
GPS Collar Retrieval Near Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tommy750 wrote:
Were you able to find anything out about your new knife from serial numbers etc?

It only says "Buck 121 USA" on it.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/information-on-this-buck-121-knife.785893/

https://www.ebay.com/b/Buck-Knife-121/43322/bn_7023228743

BTW, I think we had 2 or 3 balloons on this trip.

--
edited by dsefcik on 4/11/2020
4/11/2020
Topic:
GPS Collar Retrieval Near Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
dsefcik wrote:
tommy750 wrote:
Were you able to find anything out about your new knife from serial numbers etc?

It only says "Buck 121 USA" on it.

https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/information-on-this-buck-121-knife.785893/

https://www.ebay.com/b/Buck-Knife-121/43322/bn_7023228743

BTW, I think we had 2 or 3 balloons on this trip.

I even pulled out my old lady glaasses to look at it but it does not have any markings other than "Buck 121 USA", no dots or symbols per the Buck website.

https://www.buckknives.com/about-knives/how-old/

Even had my son look at it, I am gonna say '70's just by the look of it. It looks new, never really used, the blade is perfect, no dings, scratches, chips, etc, nice and sharp still.

--
4/11/2020
Topic:
GPS Collar Retrieval Near Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
For those that did not know, Buck had their factory out in El Cajon forever, I used to go there when I was kid, we used ride our skateboards out there and dig thru the dumpsters looking for scraps. They have since moved to Idaho, CA I guess killed them off too.
4/11/2020
Topic:
GPS Collar Retrieval Near Rabbit

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tommy750 wrote:
Those leather Buck knife sheathes in your links look pretty heavy duty. Was the knife and sheath buried except the little piece that survived? Nice find!


half buried



--




Here are 3 knives I have found out in the desert area over the last few years



--
edited by dsefcik on 4/11/2020
4/11/2020
Topic:
My Buck Knife

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
So all that talk about my knife on tommy750's post motivated me to fix it up. Almost like new...but not really. I guarantee it is sharp as new.

https://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Misc-Folder/My-Buck-Knife/











I cleaned and polished it all up and got it ready for a new sheath





Busted out the old Singer Treadle machine, seemed to sew right thru the thick leather just fine, these old Singer sewing machines are just bad ass





Almost done, just need to finish the belt loop and the securing strap





Clearly a sheath was needed, some people just should not be around sharp objects







Thanks everyone for motivating me to spend my Saturday fixing that old knife...!

--
4/12/2020
Topic:
My Buck Knife

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tommy750 wrote:



Crap, I read the wrong sign.....

4/12/2020
Topic:
Hike Suggestions?

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
July temps will be triple digit, some people prefer that...some don't.
4/12/2020
Topic:
Granite Mountain? ID Help

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Glad Buford came to the rescue with that...nice work and I love those old pictures..!
4/12/2020
Topic:
Three Saturdays in Canebrake

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
tekewin wrote:
Very nice! Those old soda pull tops could be made into a launcher. You separate the flat part of the tab from the ring, then load the ring onto the wide side of tab using the notch on either side , then fire!

I loved doing that as a kid....then enough dumb people put the tang in the can and drank it cutting their throat open so they stopped making them (fact or fiction??)
4/12/2020
Topic:
Three Saturdays in Canebrake

dsefcik
dsefcik
Administrator
Did anybody mention Fossil Falls area in the Owens Valley / Coso Range? That was another source for obsidian and if you have never been there, you should stop by for an hour or so next time you are driving the 395.




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