ziphius

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6/1/2018 Topic: RHC 4 Day Backpack ziphius	Expert consensus on your thumb-sized scat is roadrunner!
6/12/2018 Topic: 2-3 Day Trip Recommendation? ziphius	There may be some reluctance to post locations or identify otherwise obscure backcountry water sources on the open forum, especially given the history of some of those sources being diverted for illegal weed farms and the associated trash and other problems that come with discovery. Just didn't want you to think folks were ignoring your thread / post.
6/12/2018 Topic: 2-3 Day Trip Recommendation? ziphius	Rocko1 wrote: Ok, I understand that. How does one get 'vetted' so to speak? It kind of happens 'organically', at least on this forum. Folks post threads from their trips, show an interest and respect for the desert and it's cultural and biological treasures, get invited on a trip with forum members, maybe they are known from other sources, like the annual bighorn sheep count, then they are trusted. Internet has resulted in 'oversharing' with the result being that many sites are now overrun. Tassajara Hot Springs is a good example. We are friendly here, but we generally don't post specific locations of obscure water sources, pictographs, etc. Just thought someone should reply to this thread.
6/13/2018 Topic: Canyon Sin Nombre ziphius	Nice trip report. Those rams are pretty robust!
6/17/2018 Topic: Not enough rangers ziphius	Sad story and true. And people complain if you impose some small park fee to raise money to help pay for rangers etc. edited by ziphius on 6/17/2018
7/3/2018 Topic: 2018 BHS Count Results ziphius	I was at Big Spring this year with Gary, Randy, and John. Temperatures were cool, a high of 86 on the first day when the wind was ferocious. We quickly abandoned the idea of putting up a tarp upon arriving on site. Fortunately, we had the option of crawling into and under boulder overhangs in a couple of different spots. The larger boulder we referred to as ‘the fridge’ because that’s where we stored a bunch of stuff in deep shade. Days 2 and 3 reached the low 90s. Here is a link to the Big Spring count photos. We logged 11 sheep (9 ewes and 2 lambs) and were lucky that Gary had ventured up to the top of the ridgeline to take a pee, which resulted in the sighting between us and Middle Spring. The sheep were closer to our site and we saw ‘em first, so we got to log them. There were 4 marked animals total, 2 with collars and the rest with ear tags. On Day 2 at 0820 hrs, Randy had a brief sighting of a mountain lion (!) a few hundred yards away. It was gone by the time he turned to John to tell him about it. Very exciting. Lots of bird and lizard life to keep me busy out there and great company as well! I’m looking forward to next year. In response to Buford’s comments, I think that some form of vetting for potential counters would be beneficial. I’ll probably talk with Mike about it and would encourage others to do the same if they agree. As it works now, if you fill out a form and attend orientation, you’re in, and you find out where you are counting when you attend orientation. This happens without anyone physically seeing you prior to assess if you look like someone who is going to handle off-trail, difficult terrain in hot temperatures. It might be controversial to judge folks by body type, but I think some common-sense assessments can be implemented so that counters end up at places where they stand a chance of enjoying themselves safely. It’s difficult though, with so many volunteers and a limited number of sites to choose from. But we can help improve the process I think. edited by ziphius on 7/3/2018
7/3/2018 Topic: 2018 BHS Count Results ziphius	Nice photos Buford; they really capture the scale and difficulty of the job. I was hoping for a collared lizard, none this year! Maybe I'll try to join you at 2nd grove for a little change next time.
7/4/2018 Topic: 2018 BHS Count Results ziphius	Great photos Daren. Congrats on getting a spotted skunk on camera, I'm still waiting for one. Have you ever recorded BHS using the water at night? I imagine fear of mountain lions might preclude night ventures?
7/5/2018 Topic: 2018 BHS Count Results ziphius	I've noticed that my trail camera temperature readings are notoriously too high when the unit gets any sunlight on it. This isn't unexpected, as official temperature readings for any location are supposed to be taken in shade. The 113 reading for that date / location is probably an artifact of sunlight hitting it. The temperature at lower elevations that day was not that high.
7/9/2018 Topic: 2018 BHS Count Results ziphius	Tommy, I met a park biologist (Jeff Manning) at this year's BHS count check-in. He noted that the park is ramping up the number of trail cameras to be deployed in the park, though he didn't address the BHS count specificially. They hope to eventually have 200+ cameras throughout the park. Jeff was interested in enlisting backcountry travelers into participating in the program (retrieve + replace batteries / SD cards). I can send you his contact info if you want. - Jim
9/10/2018 Topic: Carrizo Gorge update ziphius	Interesting developments, thanks for the updates!
9/18/2018 Topic: Solstice Cave and Grunt Benchmark ziphius	Nice trip report! Great sighting.
9/18/2018 Topic: Solstice Cave and Grunt Benchmark ziphius	I wish I could get water and nutrients out of barrel cactus.
9/24/2018 Topic: North McCain Valley ziphius	Quite the unexpected landing spot!
9/26/2018 Topic: North McCain Valley ziphius	The flight tracker replay map doesn't show the unexpected landing.
10/12/2018 Topic: Photo editing software ziphius	What do you folks use for photo editing? Anyone deal with RAW images? Thanks for any feedback.
10/17/2018 Topic: Photo editing software ziphius	Many thanks Tom.
12/3/2018 Topic: Rockhouse report ziphius	Good-looking trip Buford. Amazed that Crotalus ruber was out this late in the season.
12/3/2018 Topic: The Potrero Three Day BP ziphius	Nice trip Tommy / Daren. The bird is a Dark-eyed Junco and yes, the black-n-red insect is velvet ant. Very painful sting! I wandered over in that mine direction a couple of times. Lots of ranching artifacts for sure.
12/3/2018 Topic: A return to the red desert ziphius	Nice trip report Buford. Some of those pictos are downright spooky.
12/4/2018 Topic: Any hurt yourself out hiking? ziphius	Britain, glad you made it out safely. Heal up well and take it slowly. I don't own either, but Tom's satellite phone or an InReach Explorer should probably be part of my kit. I second Buford's advice. Have at least a space blanket or down jacket with you for exposure. You never know how long you will need to sit tight until help arrives. https://andrewskurka.com/2018/review-spot-x-gps-two-way-satellite-messenger/ edited by ziphius on 12/4/2018
12/11/2018 Topic: Red Top day hike ziphius	Nice job! I remember the red can! Turns out I've never 'summited', 'cuz I decided not to do the summit block move - I was there solo and not feeling particularly lucky that day! I must return. Congrats.
12/11/2018 Topic: Red Top day hike ziphius	Oh man, I wish you hadn't called it the T-Rex of the SDC list. Now everyone will feel obligated to do it. It used to be such a quiet place.
1/23/2019 Topic: Bighorn-Nolina Canyon Loop ziphius	Really nice trip report Rocko1. If that cap is the standard 1.25 diameter, then you have mountain lion tracks for sure. If you have an account on iNaturalist (or are interested) post those tracks, they will no doubt get 'Research Grade' status. It's an area of the county that mountain lion data is sorely-lacking. Glad your wife enjoyed the trip. - Jim
1/25/2019 Topic: Bighorn-Nolina Canyon Loop ziphius	Rocko1, in a pinch, a dollar bill or credit card makes a good ruler too!
1/25/2019 Topic: Bighorn-Nolina Canyon Loop ziphius	Rocko, saw that you got some of your lion tracks up on iNaturalist, thanks, nice job. Your sighting from this trip currently is shown as two separate observations on iNaturalist. If these were from the same cat, it's customary to report it as a single observation. You can add multiple photos to an observation once created, and then delete any duplicate observations. Also, you were lucky enough to see other lion tracks in Cuyamaca and some folks are ready to provide a research grade status, but they need to know what the scale was: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19864100 FYI, I go by jim_carretta on iNaturalist, welcome aboard.
1/29/2019 Topic: Picasa Depreciation and Google Photos ziphius	I second that Bob, thanks for putting all the work into the best little forum about Anza Borrego out there.
2/15/2019 Topic: Granite Mountain Peak? ziphius	I did it back in September 2017 and it was fine from the Cool Canyon route. The brush isn't a challenge there, it is the terrain itself. Good workout. edited by ziphius on 2/15/2019
2/19/2019 Topic: Granite Mountain Peak ziphius	Nice hike! Yes, a coyote track, looks like a hind (more oval than a front). Cramps. Only had them in hot weather once. My recipe is orange juice mixed with water, very dilute. Plenty of potassium in there. Eat a banana or two as well in cold weather with your water.
2/26/2019 Topic: Desert snow ziphius	Great photos. I like the south vs north slope differences.
2/27/2019 Topic: Cuyamaca Snow ziphius	Nice hike! Looks like a bobcat track, a little distorted due to lack of vertical perspective, but I think that's what it is.
3/8/2019 Topic: Thoughts on backpacking Hellhole Canyon. ziphius	Welcome to the forum. The drive to the trail-head is inherently more dangerous than backpacking alone. I feel safer camping in Anza Borrego than I do sleeping in my house in the city. I have not camped in that area of the park, but see no reason to not try it, especially if you are familiar with it and are comfortable there. In your choice of tent-sites (if you're using a tent), just avoid obvious drainages and animal-use trails. Take photos and let us know how it goes with a trip report. - Jim edited by ziphius on 3/8/2019
3/8/2019 Topic: Thoughts on backpacking Hellhole Canyon. ziphius	Culp Valley is a lovely area, can be windy. I've hiked to Culp from Hellhole, nice trip. What solo backpacking scenario scares you most?
3/9/2019 Topic: Thoughts on backpacking Hellhole Canyon. ziphius	What Buford said about the bushwhacking and terrain. I took the drainage and then canyon wall route up to Culp, with a day pack and it wasn't what I'd call an easy walk. Have never taken the CHRT up there, but that would be best option. I'd even consider backpacking one of the drainages near Big Spring for your 1st overnighter, relatively flat and great views. You could test out your water filtration gear at the same time.
3/10/2019 Topic: Desert Flowers ziphius	Desert Lily and Arizona Lupine are nice!
3/16/2019 Topic: Hellohole Canyon - Culp Valley Loop ziphius	Nice trip report and photos! Pena Spring was just a trickle? It has been a steady flow every time I've visited, I wonder if the pipes are breaking somewhere upline. If you have any photos of the spring flow, post 'em!
3/20/2019 Topic: Nolina Peak and a cougar ziphius	Great photos and trip report Iron Hiker. The cougar notwithstanding (!) you're very lucky to get a ringtail on camera. Important data point. If you have an iNaturalist account or want to start one, post those trail cam records on there. Bummer about the bighorn skull.... too many lurkers on the internet looking for easy finds. I'm more and more generic (and less frequent) in my posts these days.
4/8/2019 Topic: Lake Cahuilla roundabout ziphius	Nice trip report rockhopper. Desert iguana let you get pretty close, nice photo.
4/12/2019 Topic: the mother of all ajo lillies ziphius	Wow, never seen them that tall!
4/19/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	Sent my form in this morning! See ya'll at orientation.
4/19/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	Daren, glad to hear you will have recovered enough to participate.
4/20/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	dsefcik wrote: ziphius wrote: Daren, glad to hear you will have recovered enough to participate. Thanks Jim...not sure where just yet...maybe the pup fish pond..?? Easy sheep man! Shaded bathrooms!
5/21/2019 Topic: Anyone still here? ziphius	We're still here! Nice photos everyone! Good to see Daren up-and-about again.
5/28/2019 Topic: Rabbit East Ridge Loop ziphius	Quite the accomplishment and ordeal! Congratulations and thanks for sharing the story.
6/1/2019 Topic: Pinyon Wash - Memorial Day Weekend ziphius	Could be (more likely) a raven's nest. Large-diameter stick cliff nest is consistent with other raven nests I've seen. Hard to tell how deep the bills on those birds are. Crows are extremely-rare east of Borrego Spr. edited by ziphius on 6/1/2019
6/12/2019 Topic: Descanso District ziphius	Nice area, photos! You have a knack for finding old bathtubs.
6/15/2019 Topic: Anyone still here? ziphius	Nice photos Buford! Maybe I'll see you at orientation next weekend?
6/29/2019 Topic: Orientation weekend ziphius	Spent post-orientation looking for lizards and animal tracks. The wind had obviously been up, which wiped out a lot of tracks. Grass that was connected to the center of the circle by extremely-thin roots, nearly invisible. Whipped round and round by the wind. Desert iguana were numerous. edited by ziphius on 6/29/2019
7/1/2019 Topic: Orientation weekend ziphius	Daren, no problem with the bees for awhile. Did once have a problem camping near Sunset Mtn. in a wash, with a guzzler only a 1/4 mile away. I figured that if there was nearby water, the bees would be interested in the guzzler, not my several liters. Have not had a problem near Big Spring the last few years in summer.
7/9/2019 Topic: Trek Poles Grips ziphius	Yucca stalks have come in handy a couple of times when I forgot a pole.
7/10/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	I'd noticed the 20:20 lamb:ewe ratio in the final count and was amazed also. Nice photos. How was the water at the spring?
7/10/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	Short blog about the Big Spring 2019 experience.
7/10/2019 Topic: Bighorn Sheep Count 2019 ziphius	Love the photos Daren, particularly the trail cams. Agua Caliente was long-overdue to become a regular count site (or was it also a count site long ago?). Chairs, ice chests, swimming pool .... you've paid your dues.
7/10/2019 Topic: Light weight long sleeve shirt ziphius	These Coolmax shirts are excellent. Wore the same shirt during the recent 2.5 day sheep count. Excellent breathability, granite and cactus-resistant. No collars ... but I wore a hat with a neck flap that took care of that.
7/11/2019 Topic: Light weight long sleeve shirt ziphius	I noticed no shrinkage with the Coolmax in warm water and air-drying. Neck fit seems normal.
7/12/2019 Topic: Light weight long sleeve shirt ziphius	Britain wrote: ziphius wrote: I noticed no shrinkage with the Coolmax in warm water and air-drying. Neck fit seems normal. Thanks. Prob go with Coolmax. Support the small business vet. Britian, my shirts came within 10 days, backorderd, so be patient.
7/16/2019 Topic: Bighorn-Nolina Canyon Loop ziphius	It turns out that the baby sheep in this thread is most likely a mule deer carcass. Based on the location, that's quite surprising, but not impossible. https://www.coyotelearning.org/post/why-being-wrong-is-important
7/17/2019 Topic: Bighorn-Nolina Canyon Loop ziphius	dsefcik wrote: When Tom and I were out at Blue Spring recently I definitely saw a baby deer carcass up under a Juniper. Thanks. I thought I knew the range of mule deer pretty well, they always surprise me.
7/29/2019 Topic: Light weight long sleeve shirt ziphius	Britain wrote: ziphius wrote: Britain wrote: ziphius wrote: I noticed no shrinkage with the Coolmax in warm water and air-drying. Neck fit seems normal. Thanks. Prob go with Coolmax. Support the small business vet. Britian, my shirts came within 10 days, backorderd, so be patient. Got the shits in. Like them. Next question is this. I've always hiked in Jeans. They're starting to chap the inside of my legs. Suggestions for lightweight hiking pants? Railriders are extremely-durable and comfortable.
7/30/2019 Topic: The Killer at Christmas Circle ziphius	Short trip to participate in a wildlife tracking survey near Ocotillo Wells. Picnic lunch at Christmas Circle in 112F was worthwhile because of 'The Roadrunner'. It proceeded to stalk and kill a mourning dove. Repeatedly slammed the dove to the ground. The roadrunner didn't eat the dove, just walked off 30 feet and rested, while the great-tailed grackles looked on in shock. We returned a few hours later and the dove carcass was still there. The next day, we did the wildlife track and sign survey. Saw the tracks of Colorado Fringe-Toed Lizard, Desert Kangaroo Rat, Coyote, Shovelnose Snake, Desert Iguana, and lot of other stuff. Fringe-Toed Lizard: Tracks of Desert Iguana: Shovel-nosed snake: Kangaroo Rat tail drag marks: and coyote tracks edited by ziphius on 7/30/2019 edited by ziphius on 7/30/2019
8/3/2019 Topic: The Killer at Christmas Circle ziphius	Daren, very cool observation! Thanks for sharing the details on that and the ranger story. dsefcik wrote: Great stuff ziphius....! At Agua Caliente I saw a raven/crow swoop down and pickup a baby roadrunner in front of it's mom...poor thing, the mom just kinda poked around around looking for it's baby. Ranger said the day before a roadrunner nabbed a squirrel...I guess there is always a bigger fish.
9/2/2019 Topic: Anyone seen a Badger? ziphius	Nice trip Buford. Just returned from AB this weekend, where one of the things we were looking for were ....... badger tracks and dens. Did not find any, but they have been seen in the area I was looking. I can PM the area to you. Congrats on seeing one. I've only seen tracks and burrows thus far. We did find some sidewinder tracks, which led us to the snake itself, I'll try to post some pics later this week. - Jim edited by ziphius on 9/2/2019
9/14/2019 Topic: Salton Sea to Cuyamaca Lake-Best Route? ziphius	I've had the same goal for some time now, with most of my proposed routes coming in at around 65-75 miles. Your route comes in at about 68 miles from your Caltopo link. Doing that in 3 days seems ambitious, even with water drops, but maybe you're ultra-running it or hiking through the night? If you do it during a full-moon and get lucky with the weather, you can save on water by doing some night sections, especially in the eastern half where terrain is easier. edited by ziphius on 9/14/2019
9/29/2019 Topic: Tierra Blanca High Point ziphius	Great-looking trip! Crazy about the chlorine.
9/30/2019 Topic: Pinyon Ridge ziphius	Nice - looking trip Daren. Great scat. Palm seeds? Something smaller?
10/1/2019 Topic: San Felipe Hills ziphius	Nice area for sure, nice pics. Looks like some native cherries on that bush, really sweet when they dry out. Welcome to the forum.
10/4/2019 Topic: It is always desert season ziphius	Nice pics. Looks like a banded rock lizard in one.
10/8/2019 Topic: Grapevine Mountain and Bitter Creek ziphius	Nice photos. Have not explored that area. 3rd photo looks like a spot that might hold some water in the wet season. Skull is definitely from a mule deer, the depression in the lacrimal bone is diagnostic and allows for separation between mule deer and bighorn. Thanks for posting.
10/16/2019 Topic: Rockhouse Canyon / Rockhouse Valley ziphius	Great photos. I cant' figure out what species of butterfly that is. It resembles a pipevine swallowtail, except some features are way different.
10/16/2019 Topic: Little Blair Valley Overnight ziphius	Nice trip / photos.
10/17/2019 Topic: Rockhouse Canyon / Rockhouse Valley ziphius	Your butterfly is a Great Purple Hairstreak (Atlides halesus). I have never seen one in the wild. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/59128-Atlides-halesus
10/23/2019 Topic: On the way to Mile High Mountain ziphius	Nice photos. I haven't been up there, on my wish list. If Mile High is your idea of reintroducing your hamstring to reality, you are tougher than most.
10/25/2019 Topic: On the way to Mile High Mountain ziphius	One thing about injuries and running.... the thing that least prepares us for running..... is running. If I don't hike regularly with some weight, my legs never get strong enough for sustained running and I get injured.
10/26/2019 Topic: Sheep outside Anza Borrego (photo heavy) ziphius	Nice!
11/15/2019 Topic: The ABF 2020 ABDSP Photo Contest ziphius	Agree with you Buford, the smoke tree photo is tops. The rain hitting the desert had potential if the composition would have been wider. The black-throated sparrow reflection is nice, but overexposed and composition a bit off. [ Mr. Critical here... who has limited photography skills ]
11/17/2019 Topic: Anyone seen any rodents? ziphius	Nice ones Buford! Northern Harrier are one of my favorite raptors.
11/20/2019 Topic: Sunrise Hwy to Granite Mountain ziphius	Great trip! Gorgeous mountain lion tracks too. Post those to iNaturalist! What size were your mystery tracks? They are not opossum, but could be striped skunk, but it's hard to judge scale from the photos.
11/28/2019 Topic: Good places for rainy days ziphius	Inner Pasture is always a nice place and the walking investment usually means you have it to yourself. Red Top is no rainy day stroll and my perspective comes from having done El Cajon Mountain 103 times.
11/30/2019 Topic: Death Valley 9 Days Trip Report ziphius	Looks like a great trip Daren, thanks for posting. - Jim
12/8/2019 Topic: Jacumba Mountains ziphius	Nice trip + photos Tommy. Never regret getting out during the rain.
12/10/2019 Topic: Sheep, Coyote & Rabbit ziphius	Nice photos! I looked for the coyote for about 15 seconds, figured the rabbit would be all-but-invisible...... fun times.
12/12/2019 Topic: Granite Mountain West Approach ziphius	Nice photos + trip. I bet you're the 1st person to carry a chair up to Granite.
12/17/2019 Topic: Mortero Palms to Goat Canyon Trestle, then North ziphius	Great stuff! Love the pay phone!
12/18/2019 Topic: Kitchen Creek Fall Colors ziphius	Nice photos. I ran into a couple of researchers collecting ticks along Pine Valley Creek last week. They said that the tick species (Ixodes) responsible for carrying Lyme disease is mostly-absent from extreme southern CA. They also confirmed that in areas where Western Fence lizards occur, that Lyme disease is largely-absent. https://www.sfgate.com/health/article/Lizards-Slow-Lyme-Disease-in-West-Ticks-bite-3009330.php
12/19/2019 Topic: Inner Pasture Suggestions? ziphius	Moonlight Canyon trail from Agua Caliente Co. Park is the standard route. Mile 41 canyon off the S2 has easier terrain, but more migrant foot-traffic.
12/19/2019 Topic: Inner Pasture Suggestions? ziphius	I was also surprised by the amount of travel through there. I've never encountered a migrant in Inner Pasture, but there is clearly some use, as evidenced by certain areas of trash and discarded textiles. Also evidence of travel over the saddle that separates Canebrake from The Potrero, some serious terrain. I think it is due to the checkpoint along S2.
12/19/2019 Topic: Inner Pasture Suggestions? ziphius	Rocko1, yes that is the saddle. I've found multiple pairs of 'blanket slippers', along with other personal effects, on that saddle. I still think it is worthwhile to backpack solo in the area, but I am mildly disappointed that I may have unexpected company at some point. edited by ziphius on 12/19/2019
12/23/2019 Topic: Jojoba Wash with new All Terrain Bobcat truck camp ziphius	Nice rig Bob!
12/24/2019 Topic: Rain and more sheep ziphius	Nice! Great barrel cactus feeding sign too! Interesting that they are utilizing the cactus in the cool, wet season.
12/31/2019 Topic: Indian Signs Along Carrizo Wash ziphius	Great trip report and photos Tom. Learned a lot from that time machine comparison.
1/2/2020 Topic: Snow and more sheep ziphius	Nice adventure and photos Buford. Those Sony mirroless systems are great, I own 2 different models. The phainopepla were perched above some desert mistletoe, their favorite food.
1/7/2020 Topic: Weekend trip ziphius	Great photos Buford. The Costa's hummingbirds are great.
1/12/2020 Topic: Resident desert rat ziphius	Welcome to the forum davidwyby. Lots of good folks and info here. - Jim
1/19/2020 Topic: Easiest way to Hellhole Flats? ziphius	Nice lion track tekewin.
1/19/2020 Topic: Another Death Valley Trip ziphius	Nice trip Daren.
1/25/2020 Topic: Other forums/fb groups? ziphius	I've been a part of a couple of Anza Borrego groups on FB. The thing with FB groups is that they quickly get too big, then I'm no longer interested, because of the 'noise'. I recently signed off of the San Diego County Hiking Society FB group for the same reason. This forum is small and has a high information-to-noise ratio, is populated by people who spend a lot of time in the desert, and has an unwritten rule that we don't share locations of protected resources (rock art, etc). If this forum ever got to the point of being very large, I couldn't imagine sticking with it. It's one major reason why we go to the desert, to avoid crowds!
1/31/2020 Topic: June Wash and Hapaha Flat saddle ziphius	Welcome Brian, nice trip report. Nice find on the ram horns. Interesting area for sure.
2/16/2020 Topic: Thimble from Cherry Canyon ziphius	Looks like a fun and alternative route! Thanks for posting.
2/16/2020 Topic: Whale Peak overnight ziphius	1st time for me and my better 1/2. We accompanied Scott Turner, co-author of Afoot and Afield in San Diego, who showed us a variation of the usual route up and down. About 15 miles total, clockwise loop starting at Foot & Walker Pass. Overnight lows at summit in the 40s. Small patches of snow remained at the summit, in addition to several boulder 'bird baths' in the canyons. Lost track of how many bobcat scrapes, scats, and tracks we saw. View towards Harper Flat. Shadow of Whale Peak projecting east near sunset. Alex at sunset. Mule deer leg Bobcat scrape, track, and what I think is a gray fox scat, where the fox 'overmarked' the bobcat scrape. The scat does not look like a typical bobcat scat. Lots of sign of both gray fox and bobcat along this wash. The left-hind track of the bobcat is clearly seen next to the ruler. Santa Rosa Range and Salton Sea View to Cuyamaca Peak during descent. Sunrise edited by ziphius on 2/16/2020 edited by ziphius on 2/18/2020
2/17/2020 Topic: Salt Creek/Cottonwood Canyon ziphius	Great trip report from an area I need to explore more! Still thinking about designing a t-shirt with a giant tick that says "TICK MAGNET".

Anza Borrego Desert

ziphius

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