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wescarmichael Posts: 6
6/15/2011
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Hey All,
I am new to this forum, but have been enjoying reading your updates. I can't wait to get out to ABDSP and start exploring. I have never been out that way and wonder if my vehicle will be able to make it to the trailheads I have been lusting over for the last few months. I drive a chevy HHR, it's pretty low to the ground. Do you think it can handle it? Once it cools down, I would like to check out Arroyo Seco Del Diablo and the surrounding areas. There is a previous post that also includes Sandstone Canyon, Fish Creek, Diablo Peak, and Arroyo Tapiado that sounds like a blast, I would love to hit that one. In any sense, I am stoked to have come across this forum and can't wait to get out there and start seeing everything. Any tips or pointers would be appreciated.
Wes
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
6/15/2011
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Hi Wes and welcome,
Arroyo Tapiado is basically a sandy wash all the way out. As long as you stay on the well travelled section you should be fine. The Mud Caves out there are spectacular. You need a helmet light to explore the more interesting caves. It is an awesome day trip.
Like you mention the temperatures are approaching triple digits so I would wait until after summer to do any serious exploring.
Will post some more information for you soon,
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/16/2011
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I have seen Honda Civics out in the wash to the mud caves, you should be prepared though if you do get stuck as there are a few deep sand areas. Also, to make sure you don't miss the left turn in the wash turn on your trip odometer, I think it is about 4.5 miles from the S2. If you have Jerry Schads book he has a very detailed route explanation. As for the heat, I would leave that to you, I have no problem spending the day in 100+ out there, but I go prepared and always carry at least 6 liters of water with me. The Camel SixBak is a great product for that type of hiking.
Let us know if you have anymore questions!
Daren
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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wescarmichael Posts: 6
6/16/2011
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Awesome, thanks for the replies! I read about the Mud Caves (and loads of other hikes) in Jerry Schad's book and decided then that I have to check them out. I have been using Afoot and Afield for a few years now and am never let down. I'm glad to hear my car should be able to brave the journey. I have a 2L camel back, but it sounds like I may need to step it up a few liters. The Peak 6582 trip that Daren described sounds like a good time. If you decide to make the hike and have room for one more, count me in.
Thanks for all of the help,
Wes
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wescarmichael Posts: 6
6/22/2011
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Are dogs welcome anywhere in ABDSP? If so, any recommendations for a 2 yr old full of energy pup and a me?
Wes
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/22/2011
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wescarmichael wrote:
Are dogs welcome anywhere in ABDSP? If so, any recommendations for a 2 yr old full of energy pup and a me?
Wes
Dogs are allowed on a 6' or shorter leash and only on roads vehicles are allowed on. They are not allowed on hiking trails or anywhere a street legal vehicle cannot travel.
So, yes they are allowed and welcome but they can only be on roads traveled by street legal vehicles. Rangers are especially tight on this and will cite you if they see you and your dog on/off a trail or without a leash.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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wescarmichael Posts: 6
6/22/2011
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Thanks Daren. Looks like I'll save the desert for people hikes. 
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
6/22/2011
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wescarmichael wrote:
Thanks Daren. Looks like I'll save the desert for people hikes.
I mostly do, but my dog doesn't like the heat and the few times I have taken him he ends up getting cactus balls in his paws, no fun for him or me. There are some dogs though that do quite well out in the desert, mine is just not one of them.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
6/22/2011
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Funny.
My 90lb Rhodesian Ridgeback is the biggest wimp out there. Any little thorn and he acts like his life is over. On the other hand our little 27 lb Boston Terrier has had Cholla thorns stuck completely through her paw and isn't even fazed. :-)
Go Figure?
dsefcik wrote:
wescarmichael wrote:
Thanks Daren. Looks like I'll save the desert for people hikes.
I mostly do, but my dog doesn't like the heat and the few times I have taken him he ends up getting cactus balls in his paws, no fun for him or me. There are some dogs though that do quite well out in the desert, mine is just not one of them.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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DHeuschele Posts: 87
7/5/2011
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I recommend these four Mud caves for novices:
Park at the big open area ~1.9 miles from the start of Arroyo Tapiado.
Chasm Cave: Directly across from the parking area, follow the use trail. This is a long cave that can be done by virtually anyone on their feet the entire way. It empties into a nice slot canyon that has E-Ticket cave off of it (not recommended for novices).
Carey’s Big Mud Cave: Very similar to Chasm. If time is short skip one of Carey’s Big Mud or Chasm as they are that similar. It empties into a nice slot canyon that has Skylight and oxbow caves integrated with the slot canyon. ~0.15 miles from the recommended parking area towards the start of the Arroyo on the same side of Arroyo as Chasm cave.
Hidden cave: This is narrower than Chasm and Carey’s Big Mud Cave (any narrower and I would not recommend it for novices). It is ~0.1 mile further up the Arroyo from the prom the parking spot on the opposite side of the Arroyo than Chasm and Big Carrey. The entrance is small and hidden, but the cave drops ~40” immediately (so the entrance looks smaller than it is). It can be done by many/most their feet to the recommended turn around point, but some people may have to crawl some of it. Fairly deep in the cave is a 15-20’ vertical with a rope. I recommend turning around either at the bottom or top of this climb. Progress after this point is slow with little reward. The rope help me (~190 lbs) last season, but check that it can hold your weight before using it as it would not be easy to extract someone with a broken leg from Hidden Cave. The length of time this cave takes is mostly a function of the agility of the spelunker (some can move very fast and some quite slow through this narrow cave).
Plung Pool cave: ~0.1 mile beyond Hidden Cave on same side of Arroyo as hidden cave. This is a shorter cave that opens into a high area justifying the name of the cave. It can be done by virtually anyone on their feet the entire way and takes much less time than the other 3 recommended caves.
If more caves are desired after exploring these caves it is fairly easy to find use trails to many more caves in the area.
Happy Spelunking.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/5/2011
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I liked hidden cave..last year there was a group of like 8 million girl scouts coming out when we went in...imagine that awkward passage!
Cool cave is a nice rest in the summer heat if you are super,super skinny and small.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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wescarmichael Posts: 6
7/6/2011
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Sounds like a great time, I believe some of those are in my ABDSP hiking book. I had my first spelunking experience near my work in Escondido in the Lawrence Welk Caves recently, and that was awesome. Can't wait to hit some or all of these caves this year.
Thanks for the heads up!
Wes
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DHeuschele Posts: 87
7/6/2011
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dsefcik wrote:
I liked hidden cave..last year there was a group of like 8 million girl scouts coming out when we went in...imagine that awkward passage!
I brought part of a cub scout pack (maybe 12-15 kids) out there 2 seasons ago but we left people at the entrance of Hidden to let others know because of the difficulty in passing a large number of people in that narrow windy passage (also some of the parents were not interested after looking at the entrance).
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/6/2011
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DHeuschele wrote:
I brought part of a cub scout pack (maybe 12-15 kids) out there 2 seasons ago but we left people at the entrance of Hidden to let others know because of the difficulty in passing a large number of people in that narrow windy passage (also some of the parents were not interested after looking at the entrance).
We just backed up until we found a small cutout and sucked our gut in until they all passed by. Smart move on your part to have a guard at the entrance.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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