ziphius

all messages by user

1/11/2017
Topic:
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail - Electronic Device

ziphius
ziphius
First guess without the benefit of being there is some kind of atmospheric data logging device?
1/12/2017
Topic:
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail - Electronic Device

ziphius
ziphius
Florian wrote:
The truncated cone would contain satellite antenna (assuming it's pointing south). If the conduit leads to the creek probably a water flow sensor.
Ah! See I was exactly right........a water flow sensor measures water and..... water is part of the atmosphere. smile
1/22/2017
Topic:
Carrizo Gorge Railroad update

ziphius
ziphius
Thanks for the update railexplorer!
1/30/2017
Topic:
24 hour traverse of ABSP

ziphius
ziphius
That sounds like a great trip, hope you can provide additional details on the route. DHeuschele wrote:
My 14 year old son led a 24 hour traverse of ABSP this weekend. There were 7 people who had planned to do the entire route and all 7 finished (one person had planned to do the first 10 miles then hike out the 10 miles solo). There were some route issues. We missed the 2nd water drop (second of only two) all together. We also did maybe 5 additional miles due to the route issues. But no serious injuries (some cactus wounds) and,even with the route issues, the hike finished in under 24 hours.

I may post more details later.
1/31/2017
Topic:
Hayfield Springs and the Joy of Discovery

ziphius
ziphius
Nice finds and adventure. I'd consider deleting the exact location of the petroglyphs in this thread, as there are plenty of cases of people attempting (unsuccessfully and successfully) to steal / remove petroglyphs from the wild. Revealing their location also increases the risk of defacement. Plus, part of the adventure for you was not knowing whether or not you would actually find the petroglyphs - now, they are a Google map pushpin location for the whole world to see. Good job not accepting an offer of $$ for the ram horns. It's illegal to sell them and they are better left in place for the next adventurer to stumble across 40 years from now. That's a very nice petroglyph chain. - Jim
2/5/2017
Topic:
Carrizo Gorge Railroad articles

ziphius
ziphius
Wow, that MX section *is* in bad shape!
2/23/2017
Topic:
Bow Willow to the Linehouse in Rockhouse Canyon

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip Bob. Always a nice area to visit.
2/23/2017
Topic:
Mortero Palms and Piedras Grandes

ziphius
ziphius
Looks like lots of fun Nolan, as always.
2/23/2017
Topic:
Badlands from Mine Peak

ziphius
ziphius
Great light, great area.
2/27/2017
Topic:
Flowers and Sleeping circles

ziphius
ziphius
Great trip rockhopper. I'm always still amazed when I find a grinding stone with the mortero. I've been doing flyovers with G-Earth lately too, looking for interesting things. smile
2/28/2017
Topic:
Flowers and Sleeping circles

ziphius
ziphius
Cool stuff Tommy. Keep hijacking. Was the petroglyph part of the rock alignment?
edited by ziphius on 2/28/2017
2/28/2017
Topic:
The boy's 1st backpack trip

ziphius
ziphius
Last summer, I could see my 14 year old grandnephew's face light up as I told him about backpacking in Anza Borrego. I arranged with his mom to have Nolan flown out here from New York to backpack with 'Uncle Jimmy'. It started as a surprise Christmas present with a variety of camping equipment items on the holiday and he flew out here for the trip about a week ago (his first solo flight). One of the most fun parts before the trip was providing Nolan's mom with suggested gear lists (we supplied the retro Kelty pack and sleeping bag for him). We had a great time in Vallecito Valley over 3 days with nice weather. I told him he was probably the only 14 year old to be seeing some of the places I took him to. We found a dead fox, some ram horns, a hunting blind, morteros with a grinding rock, and more stars than he knew were in the sky. It blew his mind. He admitted that he was miserable the first couple of miles hiking over rough terrain from Agua Caliente, but said that the night sky and peacefulness made it worth the while. He is hooked. A slideshow (12 photos) of our adventure is posted. Sorry about the Photobucket commercials, I haven't moved over to Smugmug yet. - Jim
edited by ziphius on 2/28/2017
3/1/2017
Topic:
Double survey markers

ziphius
ziphius
That's pretty cool, stumbling across the markers on the county line. Is that just north of Devil's Canyon?
3/5/2017
Topic:
Strange things you find in the desert.

ziphius
ziphius
Pretty odd. smile
3/5/2017
Topic:
Exploring the Service roads above the Carrizo R&R

ziphius
ziphius
Nice area. smile
3/7/2017
Topic:
To the top of El Cajon Mountain aka "The Beast"

ziphius
ziphius
Back in February, I met up with the parks department and a videographer who did a story / video on my quest to hike this 100 times (and then some). They did a nice job on it.
3/8/2017
Topic:
Granite Mountain And the Redman Mines

ziphius
ziphius
Thanks for posting, that is a great area rich with history! I'm looking forward to climbing that thing soon.
3/12/2017
Topic:
Anza Borrego Super Bloom crowds

ziphius
ziphius
Wow, for the 1st time ever, I'm glad I'm at the coast! smile
3/13/2017
Topic:
Red Tail and Kestrel going at it.

ziphius
ziphius
Nice! Don't see those 2 species in the same frame too often!
3/13/2017
Topic:
Anza Borrego Super Bloom crowds

ziphius
ziphius
Nice Buford. Yep, some alternate roads around there to avoid the crowds. smile
3/15/2017
Topic:
Red Tail and Kestrel going at it.

ziphius
ziphius
Britain wrote:
Burrowing owls are my favorite.


Probably my favorite bird to see..... doesn't happen often enough.
3/15/2017
Topic:
Old Desert photography locations

ziphius
ziphius
Very cool. Forensic photography. Devil's Canyon?
3/16/2017
Topic:
Old Desert photography locations

ziphius
ziphius
Wow, the amount of 'new' rock debris in the 'ladies' photo is impressive.
3/20/2017
Topic:
The "New" McCain Valley

ziphius
ziphius
Looks like fun Tommy. Too bad about 'progress'. Were the tadpoles part of a natural or 'improved' watering area?
3/21/2017
Topic:
Goat Canyon trip

ziphius
ziphius
Nice, too bad about the crowds.
3/26/2017
Topic:
Red Tail and Kestrel going at it.

ziphius
ziphius
Nice Crotalus ruber!
3/28/2017
Topic:
Be careful for what you wish for.

ziphius
ziphius
I was shaking the detritus out of an old Coors can that I'd picked up from the floor of Coyote Canyon last week, but having trouble getting all the junk out, so I pushed my finger into the tab to make the opening bigger and resumed shaking. I wasn't watching the can as I shook it, but as soon as the sound of stuff inside the can stopped, this windscorpion appeared at my feet. Luckily, they don't really sting people, they just pinch. smile
4/5/2017
Topic:
1968 Borrego Mtn. 6.5 Earth Quake Anniversary

ziphius
ziphius
Nice old photos rockhopper!
4/25/2017
Topic:
Oriflame to Cottonwood Canyon 3 day BP

ziphius
ziphius
Trip reports like that make this forum great. smile Thanks. Gary and the beer storage, would have never thought of that....
4/25/2017
Topic:
Oriflame to Cottonwood Canyon 3 day BP

ziphius
ziphius
Great point finds too. Was this an out-an-back trip or a counter-clockwise loop going through Mason Valley eventually?
4/26/2017
Topic:
Ole Red... well a younger one

ziphius
ziphius
That's a pretty one! smile
4/27/2017
Topic:
Fat Lizard

ziphius
ziphius
Desert Iguana, very nice.
4/27/2017
Topic:
Oriflame to Cottonwood Canyon 3 day BP

ziphius
ziphius
Tommy, your magenta trees are Western Redbud! Very cool.
5/8/2017
Topic:
Your Go To AB Book?

ziphius
ziphius
caltopo.com + imagination = trouble / fun smile
5/9/2017
Topic:
What do you do with found artifacts?

ziphius
ziphius
Leave in place and don't post specific locations. Even posting general locations is kind of a bad idea, as there are many forums out there dedicated to the collection of arrowheads, etc. Why give folks a head-start on their collecting activity? Everything is public and searchable these days.
edited by ziphius on 5/9/2017
5/13/2017
Topic:
My Ride

ziphius
ziphius
That took some skill!

sddarkman619 wrote:
LOVE that hill.
here's my ride going down...
Britain let me know when you are going out, I might join you sometime. That is if you are ok with Tacomas. smile



Feel free to view in full screen.
5/30/2017
Topic:
Desert Sentry

ziphius
ziphius
Have not seen that one. I have seen similar sentries along old Highway 80 in Boulevard.
6/4/2017
Topic:
Palm Grove Jacumba wilderness

ziphius
ziphius
Interesting (if true) that the number of palm oases north of the border are increasing, while the SW region has apparently gotten drier and water tables have fallen. Maybe there has been less browsing of palm seedlings in recent years, as burros, cattle, and other invasive herbivores have been eliminated from the backcountry. I'll have to check out that book by Cornett. - Jim
6/5/2017
Topic:
Palm Grove Jacumba wilderness

ziphius
ziphius
A filabusta hybrid, heh? A better answer could not have been hoped for. Thanks for the map / info. smile
6/12/2017
Topic:
Big Boy between hwy 8

ziphius
ziphius
"Island" sheep, nice. Makes me wonder how often vehicle collisions occur. What is the 'DC' refer to?
edited by ziphius on 6/12/2017
6/14/2017
Topic:
Volcano Graffiti

ziphius
ziphius
Nice find!
6/18/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Looking forward to my 1st count. smile
6/19/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Ah, we probably saw each other at orientation.... maybe I'll see you at check-in. Are you counting at 3rd grove? I'm assigned Big Spring as of Sat.

Buford wrote:
ziphius wrote:
Looking forward to my 1st count. smile



Nice. Cool

I will be back for the third year. I think it is cool how some people have done it for 30+ years.

After orientation yesterday I hiked up to just before 3rd grove Palm Canyon. It was a little warm.
6/19/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
dsefcik wrote:
Good to see you counting this year ziphius, I will be at Rattlesnake as usual.
smile
6/21/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Britain wrote:
Question. Why would the count be at this time of year? Or are there other times also?


It's a waterhole count and unless temperatures are above 100, the sheep can get all the moisture they need just by eating plants. Once it gets hotter than the low 100s, they need to come down to the waterholes every few days. Makes for easier counting because animals have to congregate by the water at some point during the survey. So, you are simultaneously hoping for hot weather so you see some sheep, while dreading the potential for really hot weather. Others here have done numerous sheep counts and can speak about the conditions with more authority. I've done one 'unofficial' count in temperatures about 104 for a single day, the day seemed very long until the afternoon, when sheep appeared, and then, time flew by.
edited by ziphius on 6/21/2017
6/25/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Britian, there are a few threads on bighorn counts archived on this site. One recent one is here. I was curious about others' experiences (my 1st count this year) and looked up these trips using the site's Search window, with keywords = "Sheep Count".
6/25/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
I'd agree to sell my soul and not see any bighorn if I could see a ring-tailed cat. Quite rare to be seen. smile

Buford wrote:
I have counted in upper Palm Canyon twice. We always have water from the stream to filter. Probably about 6L/person/day.

I volunteer for Upper Palm Canyon because even if we see no sheep at our count site, there are almost always sheep on the hike in and out. The other thing I like is there is always something interesting in Palm Canyon. Lots of birds, insects, coyotes, frogs, toads, lizards. Last year we even saw a ring-tailed cat during the count.

Some people keep coming back. There are teams that always have the same counters at the same site each year. Most people do not return after counting once. Only way to find out is to do it.

My 3rd year and I have seen few repeat volunteers in upper Palm Canyon. The temperatures, boredom, rough hike in and improper packing probably have a lot to do with it. Most pack too heavy and are not ready for the off trail portion of the hike, as mild as Palm Canyon is.

Not all sites see sheep each year. That has something to do with people returning as well.

Stay safe everyone. So far the forecast looks relatively mild.
7/3/2017
Topic:
Big Boy between hwy 8

ziphius
ziphius
I learned "Island" from this forum. smile Speaking of sheep, had a great time on my 1st 'sheep count'. Zero sheep at Big Spring this year (counters had a zero in 2015 too). Met a lot of great people and we got to stare at rocks, lizards, and birds all day for 2.5 days.

surfponto wrote:
Great photo!

Sorry have not been on the forum as much as I should. Lots of family stuff going on.
Anyway wanted to comment that I really love that area.

Daren and I explored it 5 plus years ago.
I would like to take credit for the name "The Island" but someone will probably refute it wink

http://www.anzaborrego.net/2012/04/19/exploring-myer-valley-and-beyond/

Bob
edited by surfponto on 7/3/2017
7/3/2017
Topic:
NPR story on how bodies decay in the desert

ziphius
ziphius
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/07/01/523024955/to-solve-gruesome-desert-mysteries-scientists-become-body-collectors


"Editor's note: Those readers who are squeamish about descriptions of decaying bodies may want to skip the next nine paragraphs."
edited by ziphius on 7/3/2017
7/3/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Nice photos Buford. Were you at 3rd or 4th grove? My team of 3 was at Big Spring, where we saw zero (same result as the 2015 count), but had fun recording all the bird life. The sheep liked the sites adjacent to us much better (Tubb and Middle springs). smile We plan on returning next year. - Jim
7/3/2017
Topic:
2017 Sheep Count info

ziphius
ziphius
Daren,

Your decision to turn back (we heard about it the 1st night at a group dinner and I talked with Gary a bit at the check-out) is highly commendable and the sign of excellent backcountry sense. Bummer to not see any sheep, but like Gary said, why would the sheep keep walking uphill if they had all the water they needed at Tubb and Middle Spring(s)? Great bird sightings, including a pair of peregrine falcons (good eyes Alex!) and an audio identification of an American Bittern (a rarity, again, good ears Alex!). We collected a nice water sample at Big Spring after an enjoyable 2.5 days of counting. Met some nice folks from the San Diego tracking team (Bob and Dick) who were counting at Lower Hellhole and we did a field trip with them on Thursday evening to the 'dump' area east of town. Saw 3 coyotes walk through and then tried to find their tracks, very humbling experience. The Bighorn 47th count year coffee mugs were a great 'consolation prize'. It's a unique group of people and I recommend that anyone that eventually signs up (campers excepted) consider staying at the Steele / Burnand Research Center. It's fun to hang out and see fellow counters each evening and at 4:30 in the morning, a lot of camaraderie with 'like-minded people', as one person put it.
edited by ziphius on 7/3/2017
7/16/2017
Topic:
A 'plug' for the San Diego Tracking Team

ziphius
ziphius
Alex and I took an introductory animal tracking and sign class with the San Diego Tracking Team yesterday at Los Penasquitos canyon. Really nice bunch of people and a fun time. At least a couple of these folks participate in the annual sheep count. They conduct wildlife survey transects throughout the year and are always looking for extra pairs of eyes to help find and identify tracks (but you have to take this intro course, free, 4 hrs) to participate in transect surveys . They emphasize that you don't have to be an expert to contribute.... tracks are really easy to miss and your extra set of eyes is a big contribution to each survey, even if you can't identify what you're seeing. For those on Facebook, here is a link to a great bobcat encounter from one of their senior trackers. Hopefully, it's accessible to all.
edited by ziphius on 7/16/2017
8/8/2017
Topic:
The Island

ziphius
ziphius
That is A LOT of pottery! Love the Kit Kat Scat. Good to see someone is walking around out there this time of year.
8/8/2017
Topic:
The Island

ziphius
ziphius
Can't believe you broke an entire, intact olla by dropping your sunglasses on it! smile
8/16/2017
Topic:
Alder Canyon Area

ziphius
ziphius
Wow, never seen that before! Apparently (and I had to Google this), they swarm to stay warm ahead of an approaching spell of cool / cold weather. Was there a big temperature change during your trip? Cold air drainage in the canyon maybe? Nice photos. - Jim
8/16/2017
Topic:
Alder Canyon Area

ziphius
ziphius
Been wanting to descend into that region from Comb's Peak area sometime. Very interesting terrain east of Chihuahua Valley and east of the Pacific Crest Trail. Lots of big kitty tracks too.
8/21/2017
Topic:
The Island - Inko BM

ziphius
ziphius
Daren, any bighorn 'sign'?
9/8/2017
Topic:
The Island - PAH BM

ziphius
ziphius
Looks like a fun trip guys. Too bad about the inaccurate locations on topos. Yep, the NOAA data explorer is a good tool to find these things. Go NOAA !
9/24/2017
Topic:
New photo host test

ziphius
ziphius
Can't say I can really see anything that jumps out at me.
9/26/2017
Topic:
Most western+highest elevation backpacking spot?

ziphius
ziphius
The Combs Peak / Bucksnort Mountain area along the Pacific Crest Trail north of Hot Springs Mtn. Nice, wild country back there.
9/27/2017
Topic:
Most western+highest elevation backpacking spot?

ziphius
ziphius
Not sure if your desire for 'highest' spots are due to cooler temperatures, if so, the Culp Valley area is 'west' and relatively high (3000 - 4000 ft). Then there are the San Ysidro mountains, hellish terrain, but high and just west of Borrego Springs.
10/3/2017
Topic:
Goat Benchmark

ziphius
ziphius
Not sure how I missed this original post.... thanks for sharing the backcountry adventure. That's an area I plan on spending time in. The scats you found are likely from deer. Deer scat looks about the same as bighorn scat and the area you were in is generally a bit west and higher than preferred bighorn habitat.
10/6/2017
Topic:
Weather Balloon

ziphius
ziphius
Nice find, I'm still hoping to find one. I encourage you to mail it back, the data are quite useful for improving the National Weather Service models.
11/28/2017
Topic:
Rockhouse, Jacumba Jim, Four Frogs and East Fork

ziphius
ziphius
Looks like you got yourself a headless barn owl there! Looks like a fun trip, nice to find the mortero and grinding stone still paired after all those years.
11/28/2017
Topic:
Rockhouse, Jacumba Jim, Four Frogs and East Fork

ziphius
ziphius
Whoops, I didn't look carefully enough, the eye and beak are obviously still present. My quick initial look I'd thought the head was missing! smile

dsefcik wrote:
ziphius wrote:
Looks like you got yourself a headless barn owl there! Looks like a fun trip, nice to find the mortero and grinding stone still paired after all those years.
What is the difference between a headless and regular barn owl? When examined, his/her wing was broken but hard to tel if it was pre/post death.
12/4/2017
Topic:
Exploring Coyote Canyon w/o 4wd or High Clearance

ziphius
ziphius
I always thought it would be fun to drop down into the north fork of Alder Canyon from the west, approaching from Bucksnort Mtn (Comb's Peak) area along the Pacific Crest Trail. But then, I see things on the satellite images (pot farms), which makes me think more than twice.
12/6/2017
Topic:
A different desert

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip Buford. I'm looking forward to getting out there too. smile
12/6/2017
Topic:
Rockhouse / Buck Ridge

ziphius
ziphius
That pictograph looks like the Pink Panther! Nice trip and cleanup.
12/10/2017
Topic:
A trip started in the desert

ziphius
ziphius
Awesome stuff Buford / rockhopper, thanks for sharing.
12/18/2017
Topic:
Moan Benchmark and I found a roasting pit.

ziphius
ziphius
Buford wrote:
I think I saw that pit on the way up Moan.

The Groan benchmark on the topo map is mislabeled "Moan" on the ground.


That would confuse the heck out of me if I thought I'd navigated to Groan. Moan and Groan are 1.6 miles apart as the crow flies.
12/31/2017
Topic:
Carrizo Creek, BM LOST and South Mesa

ziphius
ziphius
Nice detective work on the squares Tom. Thinking the rectangular object is a vehicle that got move around by flash floods? Dead bird is a loggerhead shrike. They are quite uncommon, yet I found a pristine dead one in Inner Pasture a few years ago.
1/2/2018
Topic:
Pictograph Question

ziphius
ziphius
Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting. Interesting petroglyphs you've found there. Petroglyphs are generally pecked into stone, as your photos appear to show. In contrast, pictographs are drawn on rock with pigments. A few of the users here will likely chime in, as they have a lot of experience with the rock art in the park. Also, much appreciated that you remained vague about the location, as these rock art panels can be subject to vandalism. We have a general policy here to not reveal locations (or post photos with context that could help someone find a location) of cultural sites. I think your photos show the petroglyphs in a way that would not aid anyone in finding them.
1/3/2018
Topic:
Best route for hike from Laguna to desert floor?

ziphius
ziphius
Looks like a glider plane.
1/9/2018
Topic:
Sombrero and False Sombrero

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip report. Crack climbing without a crash mat? šŸ˜Š I did Red Top a few years ago (2012), starting at Agua Caliente, through Moonlight Canyon, camped in Inner Pasture, then ascended Red Top early via the WNW slope in the shade. My mistake was spending too much time bushwhacking in the drainage that approaches Red Top from the south end of Inner Pasture. Next time, Iā€™d take a more severe and direct route over the boulder and agave spine fields, it would probably require less effort. Lovely summit and views at Red Top. 14.6 miles round-trip. I think any approach that avoids drainages would be fun.
1/13/2018
Topic:
Borrego Rainbow

ziphius
ziphius
smile
1/17/2018
Topic:
Bucksnort Area Backpacking

ziphius
ziphius
Mark,

Just sent you a couple of GPS points for 2 separate places in the area where I've found reliable water (and frogs) in the past. Generally, I won't share the locations of water sources on the open forum, unless they are well-known. I was thinking of going up there this weekend to have a look around, if I do, I'll provide an update. - Jim
1/17/2018
Topic:
More Impossible RR News

ziphius
ziphius
Maybe we can get in on the 'ground-level' as investors. wink
1/18/2018
Topic:
Red Dawn sort of

ziphius
ziphius
Fun!
1/19/2018
Topic:
Interesting oddity in the Carrizo Creek Badlands.

ziphius
ziphius
Nice fox!
2/3/2018
Topic:
Gert BM

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip. Never been to that BM. smile
2/11/2018
Topic:
Pyramid-Villager Loop

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip! Amazing that there is still some water at Natural Rock Tanks. How much water did you actually carry with you? Read your blog too... my favorite electrolyte drink is 9/10 water + 1/10 orange juice + dash of table salt. The acidity of the O.J. is no problem because it is so dilute and it doesn't go bad in warm weather either. Again, impressive trip. - Jim
2/11/2018
Topic:
Pyramid-Villager Loop

ziphius
ziphius
I think you said it well when you referred to the black art of balancing weight vs water needs. I see the ultrarunners galloping up and down El Cajon Mountain with these tiny packs and seemingly no water... but they aren't out there for long either.
2/14/2018
Topic:
Jacumba Jims and Jim McCains shack

ziphius
ziphius
Amazing that there is any water at all this winter. Nice trip report! Thanks for posting.
2/18/2018
Topic:
From The Unpublished Series

ziphius
ziphius
Very cool, our own little Death Valley. smile
2/24/2018
Topic:
Grunt BM

ziphius
ziphius
Nice area + tough hike! Keep it up. smile
3/2/2018
Topic:
Never too old

ziphius
ziphius
Nice job! smile
3/29/2018
Topic:
Canyon west of Moan

ziphius
ziphius
That's a really nice lunch table.
4/8/2018
Topic:
The Potrero Day Hike

ziphius
ziphius
Nice photos Tommy. It is impressive how that saddle between Canebrake and Vallecito is so hard-used, but it makes sense along the Pepperwood route. I've been up and over that a couple of times now but never ran into the prayer-stick cave. One of my favorite views looking north in the Potrero from that saddle. That last photo looks odd for an owl - I want to say it is a whippoorwill or nighthawk, but it's hard to tell from the photo. Nice trip / photos as always. - Jim
4/8/2018
Topic:
Santa Rosa Mtns. 3 Day backpack

ziphius
ziphius
Love the old frame pack, I still have my Kelty that gets some use. Slowing down and getting to know an area is the way to go! But you definitely paid your dues to get there. Amazing what we walk past when we're trying to get the mile in, heh? Nice trip.
4/11/2018
Topic:
Awesome Trip report

ziphius
ziphius
A billiard table at Dos Cabezas. Now I can say I've seen everything.
4/17/2018
Topic:
The Potrero Day Hike

ziphius
ziphius
Art Bell died on Friday, April 13th, so your proposed outing takes on extra importance.

tommy750 wrote:
dsefcik wrote:
Love the snake/scorpion photos...sorry I could not join you....lets do another trip soon with an over nighter...I'll bring the marshmallows and Art Bell entertainment....


S'mores! That sounds like a plan.
4/17/2018
Topic:
Sunset Mountain

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip report. Can confirm the footing is sketchy on that slope.
4/24/2018
Topic:
To the top of El Cajon Mountain aka "The Beast"

ziphius
ziphius
100th ascent today. No mishaps in 100 trips up and down the mountain, even in 90-degree heat.
4/25/2018
Topic:
To the top of El Cajon Mountain aka "The Beast"

ziphius
ziphius
Bob, I take it that Whitney is worthwhile even with the crowds, since you are going for a 3rd ascent! I've never done it and am thinking about Langley instead.

surfponto wrote:
Good job! Not an easy one.
We are planning on doing it again to prepare for our 3rd Mt. Whitney trip
4/26/2018
Topic:
Burrowing Owl

ziphius
ziphius
Nice! One of my favorite species.
4/28/2018
Topic:
2018 Sheep Count

ziphius
ziphius
Any spots open for the 'Seal Team Six' Rattlesnake Spr. site this year? I can send a resume. smile
5/15/2018
Topic:
Santa Rosas Prospectors Rock House

ziphius
ziphius
Nice GE find and trip.
5/19/2018
Topic:
Sawtooth / Vallecito

ziphius
ziphius
Nice trip report Daren. You are the King of radiosondes and water sources.
5/31/2018
Topic:
RHC 4 Day Backpack

ziphius
ziphius
Daren,

Looks like an a great trip! I believe your scat might belong to a roadrunner. There is usually a white uric acid cap attached to those, but it might have broken away or eroded out before the remainder. About what size was the scat? Ok if I post a copy of that scat photo to a track & sign geek group and see if they think it's roadrunner? - Jim
edited by ziphius on 5/31/2018
5/31/2018
Topic:
RHC 4 Day Backpack

ziphius
ziphius
Daren, thanks I posted the photos to a couple of different groups. I recommend joining 'Animals Don't Cover Their Tracks', a FB group administered by Kim Cabrera. That is a very active forum at a national and international level, but there are a lot of California trackers on there. If you're interested in studying track & sign in person, there are about 6-8 of us that get together at various sites (Lake Morena, Border Field SP) every 2-3 weeks. I can fill you in on that offline if interested.




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