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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/8/2022
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Did a nice day hike on Saturday to Bonny, Chimney Rock, White and Wee benchmarks with some exploring mixed in. I have not hiked in this section of the park before and afterword I couldn't think for the life of me why. The views are fantastic up here and it has one of the healthiest Pinyon trees I have found in the park. I parked at a turn out off S22 right at the east AB border.
I have not seen this style of sign but the font reminds me of 50/60s type. I dig the color. This was on the fence on the west end near Ranchita.
View from Bonny(video) https://i.imgur.com/SVnnwGpl.mp4
Chimney Rock
White BM
After White BM I planned on going to Thimble but it looked like a considerable amount of scrambling to get off White so I decided to explore a rocky ridge to the east overlooking the beginning of Hellhole Canyon.
This ridge has some of the healthiest Pinyons I have seen in AB. There were 2 that were just enormous for this area.
From what I could tell they were Colorado Pinyons or two leaf Pinyons. I usually see single leaf pinyons on Whale Peak area. All had boulders protecting multiple sides-same as with the Pinyon Ridge examples.
There were a couple of areas one could cowboy camp in between the massive boulders which I may do at some point.
I went up and over a ridge to the south and sat and made coffee under another fine example.
This area has a tremendous amount of game tracks and worn game trails. The trail passed right next to the tree I rested under and continued down into Hellhole Canyon.
I thought I would make my way to the California Riding and Hiking Trail and go to Wee BM and then follow that trail back to my car or as close as I could get.
Overhang rock.
I dropped into what is labelled as South Fork canyon. It’s very nice down here and had a couple of huge oak trees.
Further to the east from here is Pena Spring-about .75 miles down. I climbed out of the canyon following game trails and connected with the CRHT.
Route I had to come down to get to it.
Wee
I really liked this area and want to get over to the higher elevations, San Ysidro, etc.
8 miles, 2,000ft gain/loss.
2 balloons, 1 tick flicked off pants.
edited by Rocko1 on 11/8/2022
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Brian Posts: 226
11/8/2022
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Always fun to explore a new area of the park. I haven't done anything in that area myself. Great looking trip. I remember Schad's book has a trip that descends into upper Hellhole from Pena spring. I did part of that a long time ago, but I wasn't experienced at off-trail travel then and it was a steep descent, so I didn't finish it.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/8/2022
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Brian wrote:
Always fun to explore a new area of the park. I haven't done anything in that area myself. Great looking trip. I remember Schad's book has a trip that descends into upper Hellhole from Pena spring. I did part of that a long time ago, but I wasn't experienced at off-trail travel then and it was a steep descent, so I didn't finish it.
The soil being damp from the recent rains and lack of evaporation made going down the steep hills very easy-you sort of sink in and slide a little with each step. It felt very secure as opposed to rock hard DG with little ball bearing size pebbles under. I could see dropping into Hellhole from that ridge with the trees and the spot I took a break under-heck all the animals use it, it's just getting back that would be a good amount of work.
Is this the Schad hike or similar? https://borregohiking.com/hiking/2019_pena_spring_hellhole_canyon.html
edited by Rocko1 on 11/8/2022
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
11/8/2022
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Nice trip, Rocko1. Have literally never hiked in the NW part of the park. Need to get out more. Found a couple of those blue signs out in McCain Valley a few years ago but they've subsequently disappeared.
 IMG_1070 by tomteske, on Flickr
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Brian Posts: 226
11/8/2022
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Rocko1 wrote:
Is this the Schad hike or similar? https://borregohiking.com/hiking/2019_pena_spring_hellhole_canyon.html
edited by Rocko1 on 11/8/2022
Same entry point, but Schad's hike describes going along the canyon bottom to a tributary canyon with a waterfall. It sounds like much bushwhacking is involved. I didn't get that far as I turned around at the point where he mentions you lose 800' in .2 miles.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/9/2022
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tommy750 wrote:
Nice trip, Rocko1. Have literally never hiked in the NW part of the park. Need to get out more. Found a couple of those blue signs out in McCain Valley a few years ago but they've subsequently disappeared.
IMG_1070 by tomteske, on Flickr
I would like to know the era of these signs.
I highly recommend going up to that area this time of year, after a little rain, plenty of green, soil is moist, makes for pleasant hiking. It would be nice find some spring closer to White BM or up higher as that would really help with hauling water for an overnight up to the San Ysidro ridge.
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ziphius Posts: 911
11/9/2022
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Great trip Rocko1! Healthy pinons for sure! Being blessed with mostly predictably dry weather during our desert season, I almost exclusively cowboy camp. Especially with all those boulders to set up as windbreaks. I've had only one issue with cowboy camping, and that was when one night, the wind piled a bunch of dry cholla balls up against my bag. I was essentially a 'cholla dam'. Good lesson, I'm so much better now at picking my spots. Thanks for posting.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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rockhopper Posts: 668
11/9/2022
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Nice trip report! Looks like a great area to explore. Need to check it out sometime. Ditto on finding the large Pinyon Pine trees. Some of my best memories of my desert rambling's have been resting in the shade of the glorious Pinyon Pine tree! The recent rains are a blessing.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/9/2022
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ziphius wrote:
Great trip Rocko1! Healthy pinons for sure! Being blessed with mostly predictably dry weather during our desert season, I almost exclusively cowboy camp. Especially with all those boulders to set up as windbreaks. I've had only one issue with cowboy camping, and that was when one night, the wind piled a bunch of dry cholla balls up against my bag. I was essentially a 'cholla dam'. Good lesson, I'm so much better now at picking my spots. Thanks for posting.
Cowboy camping sure makes finding a flat place to lay down easier in these spots. I see lots of cool 'cave' type spots one could sleep but I always think about it being a den for something-pack rats at the least. Don't need my gear to become part of it's nest.
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Buford Posts: 459
11/9/2022
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Cool trip. I remember finding some big pinyon pines in that area too. No big cat prints or deer in the area?
I've been down to the waterfall mentioned in Schad's book. It was dry when I was there. Definitely can be a bushwhack in the canyon bottoms.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/10/2022
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Buford wrote:
Cool trip. I remember finding some big pinyon pines in that area too. No big cat prints or deer in the area?
I've been down to the waterfall mentioned in Schad's book. It was dry when I was there. Definitely can be a bushwhack in the canyon bottoms.
I didn't any take any pics but yes, tons of deer, bobcat and lion prints going from where I started up and over down towards Hellhole Canyon(North drainage)and the other Canyon that has Pena spring(south drainage) in it. The trail that went under the tree I took a break at was like an animal super highway-wide and deep game trail. Heaviest use I have seen. Perfect spot for a game camera.
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tekewin Posts: 371
11/15/2022
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Nice! That is one of my favorite areas of the park.
I've seen a lot of deer around and lots of other tracks. Found an intact baby deer skull near Goat BM, a little NE of White. Also "smelled" cat pee nearby, like fresh pee. Freaky, but never saw anything.
You should definitely go back for Thimble and San Ysidro. Super fun. Easiest way to get there is from Cherry Canyon. I can upload a track if you aren't sure where to park.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
11/16/2022
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tekewin wrote:
Nice! That is one of my favorite areas of the park.
I've seen a lot of deer around and lots of other tracks. Found an intact baby deer skull near Goat BM, a little NE of White. Also "smelled" cat pee nearby, like fresh pee. Freaky, but never saw anything.
You should definitely go back for Thimble and San Ysidro. Super fun. Easiest way to get there is from Cherry Canyon. I can upload a track if you aren't sure where to park.
That would be great. I saw many private residences and roads closer to Thimble, just didn't know if it was safe to park there.
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tekewin Posts: 371
11/16/2022
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Rocko1 wrote:
That would be great. I saw many private residences and roads closer to Thimble, just didn't know if it was safe to park there.
Here is google map from Borrego Springs:
https://goo.gl/maps/uwLjfZUUgHy2zUAc7
I usually take Lease Road to the unsigned Cherry Canyon Road. It's dirt road that goes over a small hill and there are some ruts, but you don't need 4x4. There is a small turnout on BLM land that fits maybe 3-4 cars. There are private holdings all around. The trail starts up the dirt road, then turns into a single track. I also attached a GPX of the most direct route to the Thimble.
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