Anza Borrego Desert - Completed Trips - Blair Valley & Cool Canyon - Messages https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Anza Borrego Desert - Completed Trips - Blair Valley & Cool Canyon - Messages en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Jitbit AspNetForum Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:19:19 GMT Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:19:19 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from abschmitt tommy750 wrote:
Great trip report. Those butterflies are amazing. That spot on Pinyon Mt Rd looks worse than ever. Have made it through with my Tundra once but usually stop there and hike. Tom


Thanks it was cool. I thought about hiking from there, it would just double the length of the hike. 8 Miles total. Maybe next time
edited by abschmitt on 12/9/2013]]> Sat, 12 Oct 2013 07:19:19 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from tommy750 Fri, 11 Oct 2013 23:09:42 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from abschmitt Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Nice post! can't wait to see some butterflies hopefully this weekend as we are finally headed out! Thanks for the pic of pinyon mtn road, it lookes like there has been some erosion and the protruding boulder is protruding even more! It helps having a spotter to make it over. I made it in 2011 with my f350 crew cab long bed with a camper no problems. I would guess fox or Coyote for your tack photos, It is hard to tell but they look to have claw marks on the front pads.



Well if you made it in that rig I should have no problem smile I will be out there again soon to give it another shot.]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 19:24:39 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from ziphius ]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 09:42:14 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from anutami
]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 09:31:00 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from dsefcik
]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 07:24:15 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from surfponto Those butterflies are cool. I have never seen that. Looks like you had great weather.

I agree with David, I am sure you could have made it over that obstacle.
edited by surfponto on 10/10/2013]]> Thu, 10 Oct 2013 05:28:08 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from abschmitt hikerdmb wrote:
Nice trip. I bet your truck could make it over that spot. That area is so green for fall. Sounds like you have a luxury camp.


haha yup I may have to sack up and go for it next time. It looks way more menacing when it's right in front of you.]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 22:05:39 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from hikerdmb Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:57:47 GMT https://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic653-blair-valley--cool-canyon.aspx Message from abschmitt "
DSC01063 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

I immediately headed to Blair Valley to grab a good camp spot before I headed out on my first hike of the season....Cool Canyon

This is looking back across S2 towards the Pinyon Mountain area after hiking a ways up cool canyon.

"
DSC01142 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Butterflies everywhere! I was surrounded by butterflies the entire hike...very cool

"
DSC01145 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

"
DSC01093 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Finally got to try my new macro lens filter on my NEX-6
"
DSC01110 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

"
DSC01104 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Saw some tracks here not sure what they are...anyone?
"
DSC01097 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Also saw this when I stopped for lunch at the large dry waterfall
"
DSC01099 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

After my short hike in cool canyon I headed back to blair valley and set up all my camp gear. Should have took a pic of this because I car camp like a pro....next time I guess. After I set up camp I threw some tri-tip on the grill, cracked open a beer and enjoyed the view.

"[img
DSC01154 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

The next day I contemplated several hikes in the area...but I eventually decided to make my way up pinyon mountain rd for a look at that great pain in the rear boulder that has blocked my way to the trail head previously. The first time I went to investigate this trail I had 2 wheel drive and there was no way I was making it. This time I was equipped with my new to me F150 4X4 and good thing too because the road was much softer than it was last year. I was very tempted to try my luck going over this bad boy but I chose to play it safe especially since I was alone.
"
DSC01173 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Guess I'll have to wait to conquer Whale Peak until I get that jeep.
I decided to park close by and improvise a hike up some of the lower mountains. On a positive note I got to exercise my back country navigation skills using topo map & compass. Until now I have been using mainly my hand held GPS unit, but I really want to learn how to navigate with only a map & compass.
"
DSC01170 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

Well it wasn't too bad for a first trip of the season, weather was perfect and I needed a weekend to relax. I'll be out there again soon!
"
DSC01062 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"

edited by abschmitt on 12/9/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013]]> Wed, 09 Oct 2013 21:18:40 GMT