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Brian Posts: 231
11/12/2022
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On Saturday, Rocko1 and I did a hike in the Jacumba Wilderness, with the goal of exploring Happy's upper and lower cabins. My understanding based on oral history passed down by the Jacumba hikers is there were a couple different guys in the Jacumba area in the early/mid 20th century with the nickname "Happy." This particular Happy had a lower elevation winter cabin and a higher elevation summer cabin. He evidently worked at Miller's Garage in Ocotillo and made the "commute" by walking down Myer Creek. The nickname was evidently the result of a facial deformity resulting from a gunshot wound that made him appear to have a permanent smile.
The lower cabin is visible from the eastbound lanes of I-8 and is easily visited by anyone hiking into the Myer Valley area. The upper/summer cabin is more remote - perched on an obscure ledge that's difficult to reach from any direction, but has a perennial water source. The perfect place for a hermit, although I'd imagine that if you arrived home and realized you'd forgotten something at the grocery store, it'd be a pisser.
It's possible to do a shortish but technical loop to visit the upper cabin (as seen on AllTrails). We extended it into Myer Valley to give Rocko1 an overview of the area since he hadn't been there before. Hopefully he will add some pics here. I was too busy trying to keep up and didn't take very many.
Rocko1 exploring what's left of the lower cabin
The remains of the upper cabin and surrounding area
A large rock shelter we found on the way down from the ledge
A couple pics from my previous trip to the area with the Jacumba Hikers last March
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Brian Posts: 231
11/12/2022
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A couple more from another previous trip
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
11/14/2022
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Was a fun trip. I really enjoyed the landscape out here. I would love to know more about Happy and the history behind these cabins. The upper cabin really was in a fantastic location, nice palm groves and a water source. The amount of discarded litter/clothing in this area is unsettling though.
Rock shelter near upper cabin.
Upper Cabin area
Album-https://imgur.com/a/1TMNdj6
edited by Rocko1 on 11/14/2022
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ziphius Posts: 911
11/14/2022
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Looks like a great area to explore! Was the water source a seep or more substantial? There isn't an area of S.D. County I've visited yet that doesn't have discarded backpacks, clothing, and water bottles. People are desperate for a better / safer way of life and are willing to traverse some horrendous terrain to get there.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
11/14/2022
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It was a seep near the second cabin and and a few slow running seeps in the canyons getting up there.
edited by Rocko1 on 11/14/2022
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tekewin Posts: 371
11/15/2022
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Great trip! That area south of I-8 is some place I've never been. It's looks fun with all those rock piles.
Never heard of "Happy" either, so thanks for the lore.
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
11/16/2022
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tekewin wrote:
Great trip! That area south of I-8 is some place I've never been. It's looks fun with all those rock piles.
Never heard of "Happy" either, so thanks for the lore.
The rocks are really cool and the canyons are a bouldering junkies dream! Perfect time of year now-highs were low 60s.
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rockhopper Posts: 668
11/19/2022
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Looks like a really nice area to explore. Those rock shelters look very well used. Thanks for the trip report and great photos.
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
11/20/2022
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Glad to hear the palm groves still have water. Passed by that area over ten years ago while bagging Peak 4004. Didn't know there were rock houses or cultural stuff at that spot. Thanks for the report!
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Britain Posts: 606
11/20/2022
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Nice, been to the lower Happys. Didnt know about the upper above the palm grove until a few years back. Need to go back into that area.
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Cant drive 55
Britain
http://icorva.com
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