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anutami Posts: 491
12/24/2014
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Finally had some time to head back out to the Desert. I wanted to check out the Arroyo Deco Diablo area via Vallecito Creek and Arroyo Tapaido. Was a bit nervous about the road getting in there. It is tight in a few places but I never had any issues. The only issue was my coolant started leaking so I had to cut my trip short.
Heading up Arroyo Tapaido
Since I am too cheap to buy a go pro camera, I strapped my Iphone to my camper jack for some video fun 
Arroyo Tapaido Bypass: 4wd Hi
Arroyo Tapaido Bypass continued 4wd LOW
Vallecito Creek: 2WD
As we drove past the mud caves there was not another soul around. Since our trip in the summer was cut short we decided to make a stop and set up camp.
checking out Chasm Cave
Hidden Cave
Concrection Canyon has some interesting formations
Continuing on through Arroyo Tapaido bypass road to Arroyo Seco Del Diablo
Some of the petrified wood in the area
Brenna found the needle in the haystack, not sure what size bullet this is or where it was shot from!
Just in case you are curious how concretions form
Concretion Mountain
The kids talked me into taking our new addtion to the family : Riley
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Set up camp in Arroyo Seco Del Diable and roasted some hot dogs The weather couldn't have been better out there and surprisingly no one else around.
Enjoying the desert.
Interesting deceased Ocotillo
Sunsets never get old
another stellar camp site
Arroyo Seco Diablo with Whale peak in the background
Evidence of life long ago
and the uplifting taking place
We headed over to agua caliente to cool off and hit up the Spa. Right now th outdoor kids pool is closed for renovation. This large pool was pretty brisk.
It was nice to get some fresh desert air
Total Mylar Balloons: 2
And a first ever water pool left behind from the recent rains. I guess Mylar balloons are good for something.
edited by anutami on 12/24/2014
edited by anutami on 12/24/2014
edited by anutami on 12/24/2014
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ziphius Posts: 911
12/24/2014
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Cannonball! Great photos and trip Nolan. Did you notice any surface water at the Arroyo Seco Del Diablo seep? (32.895, -116.161). Headed out tomorrow for 3 nights...
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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anutami Posts: 491
12/24/2014
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Jim (ziphius) wrote:
Cannonball! Great photos and trip Nolan. Did you notice any surface water at the Arroyo Seco Del Diablo seep? (32.895, -116.161). Headed out tomorrow for 3 nights...
Thanks, we just hit up the north end of arroyo Diablo. That deep is pretty much always wet. 3 days in ABDSP! Nice! Hope you have a great trip. I am trying to get out again this weekend gotta get my water pump replaced in my truck.
Nolan
edited by anutami on 12/24/2014
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
12/24/2014
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Nice trip Nolan. I am surprised you didn't head on over to the drop off and come out through Split Mountain. I think you will take that truck anywhere. I love that area, esopecially when you get up high and have a view. Merry Christmas.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
12/25/2014
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Great pics Nolan
You guys packed a lot into one trip
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
12/25/2014
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Wonderful photos Nolan, I think there is someone singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."...haha...
I wonder if we just missed each other ..again...we were out backpacking the same route as 2 years ago and passed thru Agua Caliente on Tuesday. If you saw a white Prius in the day use spot that was our car. The weather the last 5 days out in ABDSP was about as good as you can get, it was perfect. Looks like another great trip!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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AdventureGraham Posts: 170
12/25/2014
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Great photos! Looks like you guys had a blast out there. I'm looking forward to taking my kids to the mud caves when they get a bit older.
There are some great camp spots on that plateau between Arroyo Tapiado and Arroyo Seco Del Diablo.
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anutami Posts: 491
12/26/2014
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hikerdmb wrote:
Nice trip Nolan. I am surprised you didn't head on over to the drop off and come out through Split Mountain. I think you will take that truck anywhere. I love that area, esopecially when you get up high and have a view. Merry Christmas.
Lol...I probably would if it wasn't such a tight squeeze at the bottom  . Happy new year
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anutami Posts: 491
12/26/2014
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surfponto wrote:
Great pics Nolan
You guys packed a lot into one trip
Thanks, I wanted to stay out longer but my water pump went out. Can't believe I got it all fixed and just picked up my truck. Probably headed out soon
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anutami Posts: 491
12/26/2014
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dsefcik wrote:
Wonderful photos Nolan, I think there is someone singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."...haha...
I wonder if we just missed each other ..again...we were out backpacking the same route as 2 years ago and passed thru Agua Caliente on Tuesday. If you saw a white Prius in the day use spot that was our car. The weather the last 5 days out in ABDSP was about as good as you can get, it was perfect. Looks like another great trip!
Yup saw the Prius. I think I saw your truck last year around the same time leaving Indian Gorge I have never seen agua caliente campround so deserted. We almost stayed, but had the issues with the truck and wanted to get back.
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anutami Posts: 491
12/26/2014
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BorregoWrangler wrote:
Great photos! Looks like you guys had a blast out there. I'm looking forward to taking my kids to the mud caves when they get a bit older.
There are some great camp spots on that plateau between Arroyo Tapiado and Arroyo Seco Del Diablo.
Thanks, just make sure you bring plenty of water to wash your kids off. They get FILTHY, but love every minute of it. It is always a bit scetchy in the caves thinking it lies right in a fault zone and Everything is super brittle.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
12/26/2014
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Yep, 2 years ago we attempted the loop, this year I did it with another friend and completed it plus 1 more day of exploring in Potrero, need to write up the TR, it was a long 5 day backpack trip but lots of cool stuff along the way. Agua Caliente was totally empty, never seen it like that either, only a few folks at the pool and THAT was it!! WIll try to get to a TR tonight but am trying to get packed for 7 days in the Turtle Mtns, leaving tomorrow morning.
Nolan (anutami) wrote:
dsefcik wrote:
Wonderful photos Nolan, I think there is someone singing "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."...haha...
I wonder if we just missed each other ..again...we were out backpacking the same route as 2 years ago and passed thru Agua Caliente on Tuesday. If you saw a white Prius in the day use spot that was our car. The weather the last 5 days out in ABDSP was about as good as you can get, it was perfect. Looks like another great trip!
Yup saw the Prius. I think I saw your truck last year around the same time leaving Indian Gorge I have never seen agua caliente campround so deserted. We almost stayed, but had the issues with the truck and wanted to get back.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
12/28/2014
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That damn rock fire pit at your camping site! We do Adopt a Wash and Arroyo Tapiado is one of our areas and we've removed that pit many times. People always build it right by the signs saying no ground fires!
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anutami Posts: 491
12/28/2014
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DesertWRX wrote:
That damn rock fire pit at your camping site! We do Adopt a Wash and Arroyo Tapiado is one of our areas and we've removed that pit many times. People always build it right by the signs saying no ground fires!
I was thinking the same thing. Next time I will remove the thing. I picked up about 20 nails around the parking area as well.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
1/3/2015
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Nolan (anutami) wrote:
DesertWRX wrote:
That damn rock fire pit at your camping site! We do Adopt a Wash and Arroyo Tapiado is one of our areas and we've removed that pit many times. People always build it right by the signs saying no ground fires!
I was thinking the same thing. Next time I will remove the thing. I picked up about 20 nails around the parking area as well. DsrtWRX: Nolan had his fire in the metal container, I think his photo just made it look like he was using the rock ring. Usually I will displace the rocks used for a fire but sometimes I have left them if it is a well used area that would just have people make it again in a new location or worse make more...you could argue that thinking I am sure....
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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