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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/4/2018
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Looking to do a 2 day backpacking trip this summer. I was hoping I could make a reliable water source the halfway point so I wouldn't have to carry so much water. I know of a few of the sources-Palm Spring, Dos Cabezas but those don't fit will with a decent route. Can anyone point me towards a reliable source 8-12 miles from place I can park? It would be appreciated.
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ziphius Posts: 911
6/12/2018
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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.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/12/2018
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ziphius wrote:
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.
Ok, I understand that. How does one get 'vetted' so to speak?
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ziphius Posts: 911
6/12/2018
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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.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/12/2018
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ziphius wrote:
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.
I get it. Thanks for the info. I understand how sensitive the information is and how important protecting the area is as well. I have gotten to a certain point reading the standard books of the area by Schad, Lindsay, and wanted to try something a bit off the norm. Carrying 2-3 days water is tough in the summer.
Thanks for replying.
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Buford Posts: 456
6/12/2018
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Another problem is reliability of water sources, especially in the summer. Sources that used to be reliable, may not be anymore due to drought, seasons, earthquakes, human intervention, or other causes. Not many people hike in Borrego in the summer either so info is more limited.
No one wants to send someone with unknown outdoors ability who they’ve never met in person to a potentially dry source the person might be relying on for survival.
Edit:
I actually don’t know the exact location of any year round water sources that are “secret.” I know some people here do. Another thing would be to search them out in winter with old Topo maps and google earth followed by some exploring on the ground.
edited by Buford on 6/12/2018
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/12/2018
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Buford wrote:
Another problem is reliability of water sources, especially in the summer. Sources that used to be reliable, may not be anymore due to drought, seasons, earthquakes, human intervention, or other causes. Not many people hike in Borrego in the summer either so info is more limited.
No one wants to send someone with unknown outdoors ability who they’ve never met in person to a potentially dry source the person might be relying on for survival.
Edit:
I actually don’t know the exact location of any year round water sources that are “secret.” I know some people here do. Another thing would be to search them out in winter with old Topo maps and google earth followed by some exploring on the ground.
edited by Buford on 6/12/2018
Makes perfect sense. I may stick with a 2 day trip until temperatures cool off. Thanks.
edited by Rocko1 on 6/12/2018
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/12/2018
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Thanks ziphius for catching this post, I missed it somehow.
Rocko1, I do not know your experience or capabilities, especially in the desert...in the summer...however for most folks, venturing out 8+ miles for a backpack trip into the desert in the summer with 105+ temps and relying on a water source to provide is a risk for anyone of any skill or knowledge level. When we head out for trips where water sources may be suspect we always, always bring enough to get us in to the first source and back in case it is dry. That may demand carrying 8 liters the first day.
That said...the upper reaches of Nicholias Cyn near the cottonwoods as described in Schad's book should have water, it was flowing just fine a few weeks ago. I have never been out there in June/July/August so use that information at your own risk.
RHC is especially lonely in the summer and cell phones do not work but HAM works great off Toro.
PM me for more info you like, let us know if you venture out!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/13/2018
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The other possibility is to park up at Toro peak and make your way down to the cottonwoods. Assuming there is water (which I would be surprised if there was not) you could base camp there and do some day hikes into the surrounding RHC area. This is a fairly common route even during non summer months. The only drawback is you will have to climb 3,000' to get back to your car. Toro is at 8,000+ and the cottonwoods are at 5,000 so the temps should better than down on the desert floor.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/13/2018
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dsefcik wrote:
The other possibility is to park up at Toro peak and make your way down to the cottonwoods. Assuming there is water (which I would be surprised if there was not) you could base camp there and do some day hikes into the surrounding RHC area. This is a fairly common route even during non summer months. The only drawback is you will have to climb 3,000' to get back to your car. Toro is at 8,000+ and the cottonwoods are at 5,000 so the temps should better than down on the desert floor.
Thank you for all of the information. This is an interesting option. I will do some mapping and see how that would look.
Thanks again.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
6/13/2018
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Rocko1 wrote:
Thank you for all of the information. This is an interesting option. I will do some mapping and see how that would look.
Thanks again.
There is an informal "trail" with a scattering of cairns from the top down to the cottonwoods, there is some brush bushwhack but no bad overall.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Britain Posts: 602
6/21/2018
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dsefcik wrote:
Thanks ziphius for catching this post, I missed it somehow.
I do not know your experience or capabilities, especially in the desert...in the summer...however for most folks, venturing out 8+ miles for a backpack trip into the desert in the summer with 105+ temps and relying on a water source to provide is a risk for anyone of any skill or knowledge level. When we head out for trips where water sources may be suspect we always, always bring enough to get us in to the first source and back in case it is dry. That may demand carrying 8 liters the first day.
This. I've lived in Imperial Valley for a long time. Used to do hikes in the heat mostly for photo ops around active springs. Like scuba diving I never went alone. It also pays to look at the weather temps for those hikes. I used to also carry an umbrella on my pack. This weeks temps not hot but dangerously hot.
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http://icorva.com
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Buford Posts: 456
6/21/2018
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Britain wrote:
dsefcik wrote:
Thanks ziphius for catching this post, I missed it somehow.
I do not know your experience or capabilities, especially in the desert...in the summer...however for most folks, venturing out 8+ miles for a backpack trip into the desert in the summer with 105+ temps and relying on a water source to provide is a risk for anyone of any skill or knowledge level. When we head out for trips where water sources may be suspect we always, always bring enough to get us in to the first source and back in case it is dry. That may demand carrying 8 liters the first day.
This. I've lived in Imperial Valley for a long time. Used to do hikes in the heat mostly for photo ops around active springs. Like scuba diving I never went alone. It also pays to look at the weather temps for those hikes. I used to also carry an umbrella on my pack. This weeks temps not hot but dangerously hot.
Looks like sheep count weather.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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rockhopper Posts: 668
6/22/2018
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Ha. That's a good one Buford. I follow the old timers and ancient peoples migrations. Low desert in the Winter, Mountians in the summer. Rocko1, Daren pretty much nailed it. Good luck. But I would go higher in elevation.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/22/2018
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rockhopper wrote:
Ha. That's a good one Buford. I follow the old timers and ancient peoples migrations. Low desert in the Winter, Mountians in the summer. Rocko1, Daren pretty much nailed it. Good luck. But I would go higher in elevation.
Thanks. I think I will turn this into a 2 day backpack trip with my dad in cooler weather.
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Britain Posts: 602
6/25/2018
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Be careful out there
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Search-On-for-Man-Missing-in-Desert-During-Heat-Warning-486333201.html??f
edited by Britain on 6/25/2018
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Cant drive 55
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http://icorva.com
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
6/25/2018
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Britain wrote:
Be careful out there
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Search-On-for-Man-Missing-in-Desert-During-Heat-Warning-486333201.html??f
edited by Britain on 6/25/2018
Hmm. I wonder what happened.
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