1/26/2013
Topic:
Favorite Photos from 2012
abschmitt
|
Wind caves.
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Little frog in Borrego palm canyon
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BHS in Borrego palm canyon
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Blair Valley
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Balancing act
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Oriflamme Canyon
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10/9/2013
Topic:
Blair Valley & Cool Canyon
abschmitt
|
Got away last weekend for a solo camp/hiking trip to Blair Valley.
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DSC01063 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
I immediately headed to Blair Valley to grab a good camp spot before I headed out on my first hike of the season....Cool Canyon
This is looking back across S2 towards the Pinyon Mountain area after hiking a ways up cool canyon.
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DSC01142 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Butterflies everywhere! I was surrounded by butterflies the entire hike...very cool
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DSC01145 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
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DSC01093 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Finally got to try my new macro lens filter on my NEX-6
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DSC01110 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
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DSC01104 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Saw some tracks here not sure what they are...anyone?
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DSC01097 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Also saw this when I stopped for lunch at the large dry waterfall
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DSC01099 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
After my short hike in cool canyon I headed back to blair valley and set up all my camp gear. Should have took a pic of this because I car camp like a pro....next time I guess. After I set up camp I threw some tri-tip on the grill, cracked open a beer and enjoyed the view.
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DSC01154 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
The next day I contemplated several hikes in the area...but I eventually decided to make my way up pinyon mountain rd for a look at that great pain in the rear boulder that has blocked my way to the trail head previously. The first time I went to investigate this trail I had 2 wheel drive and there was no way I was making it. This time I was equipped with my new to me F150 4X4 and good thing too because the road was much softer than it was last year. I was very tempted to try my luck going over this bad boy but I chose to play it safe especially since I was alone.
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DSC01173 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Guess I'll have to wait to conquer Whale Peak until I get that jeep.
I decided to park close by and improvise a hike up some of the lower mountains. On a positive note I got to exercise my back country navigation skills using topo map & compass. Until now I have been using mainly my hand held GPS unit, but I really want to learn how to navigate with only a map & compass.
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DSC01170 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
Well it wasn't too bad for a first trip of the season, weather was perfect and I needed a weekend to relax. I'll be out there again soon!
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DSC01062 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
edited by abschmitt on 12/9/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013
edited by abschmitt on 12/10/2013 |
10/9/2013
Topic:
Blair Valley & Cool Canyon
abschmitt
|
hikerdmb wrote:
Nice trip. I bet your truck could make it over that spot. That area is so green for fall. Sounds like you have a luxury camp.
haha yup I may have to sack up and go for it next time. It looks way more menacing when it's right in front of you. |
10/10/2013
Topic:
Blair Valley & Cool Canyon
abschmitt
|
Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Nice post! can't wait to see some butterflies hopefully this weekend as we are finally headed out! Thanks for the pic of pinyon mtn road, it lookes like there has been some erosion and the protruding boulder is protruding even more! It helps having a spotter to make it over. I made it in 2011 with my f350 crew cab long bed with a camper no problems. I would guess fox or Coyote for your tack photos, It is hard to tell but they look to have claw marks on the front pads.
Well if you made it in that rig I should have no problem  I will be out there again soon to give it another shot. |
10/12/2013
Topic:
Blair Valley & Cool Canyon
abschmitt
|
tommy750 wrote:
Great trip report. Those butterflies are amazing. That spot on Pinyon Mt Rd looks worse than ever. Have made it through with my Tundra once but usually stop there and hike. Tom
Thanks it was cool. I thought about hiking from there, it would just double the length of the hike. 8 Miles total. Maybe next time
edited by abschmitt on 12/9/2013 |
1/2/2014
Topic:
Indian Hill 11/30
abschmitt
|
Thanksgiving weekend I headed out to Indian Hill area for some camping and exploring. Hearing so many good things about this area mainly from posts on this forum really got me excited to make my way out for the first time.
This hike was also on my Jerry Schad bucket list so I followed the description to find the trail head. After noticing I had missed my road I made my traditional oh crap U turn. Those wind turbines can put you in a trance. So I noticed also that the description in Schads book didn't match up to the BLM roads I saw but it was easy enough to find.
Here is the Dos Cabezas railroad siding.
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DSC01228 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
I was getting worried about a good place to camp since I didn’t really know what to expect near the trailhead. When I got to the end of the road I was relieved to see plenty of good flat areas to call home for the night.
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IMG_0965 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Brought my buddy along for this trip.
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DSC01289 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
As soon as I got my camp site set up I went out for a quick hike to see if could find the blue sun cave. After about an hour ½ or so my search was unsuccessful. The sun was heading down and I had some carne asada waiting back at camp. I decided I would hit it again the following day.
Here is my first attempt at star trails.
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Beautiful night.
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DSC01293 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Early Saturday I headed South across the tracks and picked up the trail leading towards the large alluvial fan.
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DSC01279 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Interesting rock variations caught my eye.
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DSC01250 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Looking southeast I think. Love the colors
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DSC01276 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Getting better at yoni hunting. Looks like one anyways
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DSC01304 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
After climbing around looking for possible caves I spot my next area of exploration.
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IMG_0970 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">"
My first pottery find J yes I left it there.
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DSC01300 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
So after wandering around some more I finally found the fire blackened cave Shad describes. I would have found it the previous day if I had not run out of sunlight.
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Very nice morteros
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DSC01315 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
Alas the blue sun cave. Pretty good stuff!
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DSC01328 by schmitthappenz, on Flickr" border="0">”
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A quick self portrait before heading back.
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Well it was a good trip overall, saw some incredible history and just love this part of the desert. See you out there friends. |
1/3/2014
Topic:
Indian Hill 11/30
abschmitt
|
dsefcik wrote:
Looks like a good trip. What camera did you use for the star trails?
Sony NEX-6 |
1/3/2014
Topic:
Indian Hill 11/30
abschmitt
|
dsefcik wrote:
Ahhh...I saw DSC and didn't think any point'nshoot's would do that and wondered if there was another Alpha user out there...but the Nex will do it.
Yup it was a good investment. Still learning but I love it so far. |
1/3/2014
Topic:
Indian Hill 11/30
abschmitt
|
Jim (ziphius) wrote:
Great trip and photos. Carne asada and a dog really top it off! I just bought a NEX-6 and downloaded the time-lapse application for it. A lot of fun. Congrats on finding the blue sun cave.
oh man time-lapse app....I will have to check that out. |
2/12/2014
Topic:
Salvation Mountain’s creator Leonard Knight dies at 82
abschmitt
|
Sad to see him go. I have made many trips to salvation mountain and met him a few times...I'm only about 30 minutes from Slab City, maybe the locals that live there will be able to keep it going. RIP Leonard |
2/12/2014
Topic:
Night timelapse from the last few weeks
abschmitt
|
Very cool, love the music....I need to try this now  |