Post your upcoming trip out to Anza Borrego here. Great place to organize a group trip.
from rockhouse ruins to cactus springs trail
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619walker Posts: 2
6/8/2015
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Hello everyone. When it cools down a bit I was hoping to do a one way backpacking trip from Borrego Springs, up through Rockhouse Canyon, out into the alluvial fan there above Clark Lake, then north east to the Cactus Spring Trail. I'll take the Cactus Spring Trail north to the 74 and get a ride out from there.
The part I'm curious about is the cross country route from the old Rockhouse Ruins (near Cottonwood Springs) to the Cactus Spring Trail. I can't imagine I'm the first person to walk between the two, and I was hoping someone could give me some insight. Coordinates, dry creeks that are easy to walk, ridge lines, passes, whatever. Just anything that will be better than me winging it. If there's a less leg thrashing way to do this, I'm all ears.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/8/2015
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I have not been on the Cactus Springs Trail but there is a finger just east of the Old Santa Rosa Village you can ascend that will put you up near Martinez Cyn near peak 5668. There is an old Indian trail you can follow up. On the topo for RHC find quad 16 and the finger to ascend is almost right underneath the number 16. Head up the canyon on the west side of the quad 16 ridge (side with 4600 on the contours) a 1/4 mile or so and you will see the trail up. I am guessing from there you can descend down to the Cactus Spring trail. From Cottonwood Spring just stay up on the alluvial's avoiding any constant up/down thru the dips and head towards the base of the mountains, there you will find an Indian trail that hugs the base of the mountains and can take you to the finger I mention.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/8/2015
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BTW, if you want any company let me know, I wouldn't mind doing that trip also.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/8/2015
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BTW,BTW...Welcome to the forums...!!....
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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rockhopper Posts: 668
6/14/2015
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Welcome! I might be interested if we make it a winter trip after the rains cause we are gonna need it. I am really familiar with the Old Santa Rosa Indian Ruins area as well as Cactus spring trail from Martinez Canyon to Hwy 74. I have hiked the Cactus spring trail about 5 times and there has always been flowing water at Horse Thief creek but that does little good unless you travel from the Hwy 74 direction. Not so much water at Cactus spring and Agua Alta spring unless after a big winter. The running dry creeks after the rains is your best bet or you will be hauling Gallons of water in your pack.
Daren is right, there are several ancient trails heading from the Old Santa Rosa Indian Ruin rock circles up and over toward Martinez canyon and Cactus spring trail. Rarely traveled, over grown and almost unrecognizable BUT there are un-eroded sections that are in perfect shape still to this day! Mostly on the ridges. You will find them littered with pot shards from pot drops and you will know you are on the right path.
BTW alternate route would be SRIR and out Martinez canyon
Keep posting and again welcome!
Regards
Paul
Climbing out of Martinez canyon toward the Cactus spring trail. Jack Miller 1925 Rock Cabin below.
Day tripin in Martinez canyon in wetter times. Brought my friend along. She was amused. hehe
Horse Thief creek has always had water year round for my wanderings.
edited by rockhopper on 6/14/2015
edited by rockhopper on 6/16/2015
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/21/2015
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More great old photos from rockhopper...!
Will probably start looking at this trip when the weather is more accommodating, right now just getting geared up for 4 days at Rattlesnake to count sheep.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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ziphius Posts: 911
6/22/2015
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Looks like a challenging and fun route. Great old photos 'hopper.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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