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It has to be all tied together somehow..just IMHO...

Thanks for that link Bob. I agree with your comment about saving us $100,000,000. That will never happen. Once it is built they will keep charging the same or more not only for the electricity but also to transmit that power on the new lines.
David

Jerry Schad died last Thursday. I am sure most people on this site have used his books. Many of my hikes over the years came straight from Afoot and Afield in San Diego, starting with my first solo climb of Sombrero Peak so many years ago I don't even want to think about it. RIP Jerry. Your words will live on.

David

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/sep/22/hiking-writer-jerry-schad-dies/

I started to compile my photos of different rock art and have some petroglyphs and Yoni's posted. I still need to add my pictographs and cupules.

You can see both here http://www.darensefcik.com/Photography/Rock-Art

These are not ABDSP only, they include photos from many different locations but many are from ABDSP.

Daren

In the 1945 July Desert Refuge article written by Marshal South he describes an old Indian rock shelter they discover on one of their many exploration trips out into the desert area. In the Marshal South Book, the oldest son Rider South also recalls his father referring to it as "The Fortress" since it appeared to have many smaller shelters built up all around the main shelter providing what appeared to be a protected fortress.

On a recent hiking/exploration trip out into the open desert over the centuries old sun baked volcanic rocks I stumbled across this very shelter. I was not aware at the time what I had found but later a person with more knowledge about the area and the Marshal South history pointed it out to me. I later went back and read the article by Marshal South published almost 66 years ago and was amazed to see the resemblance of the rock shelter and how a few of the plants sketched by Marshal South were still growing in the same spot I had photographed.

Here is the sketch Marshal South drew in the 1945 article


Here is the photograph I took in July 2011


http://www.sefcik.com/2011/09/house-forgotten-abdsp.html

Daren
edited by dsefcik on 9/28/2011

I have not seen this website before, it appears to have (or will have) all of the old back issues of the original Desert Magazine available for download in PDF format or you can buy a DVD for $10 with all of them on it.

http://desertmagazine.net

With wget you can grab all of them at once.

wget -r -l1 --no-parent -A.pdf http://mydesertmagazine.com/files/

That PDF bookshelf on the iPad looks pretty sweet...go eye candy! I see you have the 1945 July edition....

A couple of great articles about the Kumeyaay and local Baja Kumeyaay still living today.

This is the actual article
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-kumeyaay-20110927,0,6784675.story?page=1


And this is the article summary with a video
http://framework.latimes.com/2011/09/26/kumeyaay/

Daren

hikerdmb wrote:

Have a great time. Looks like the weather will be terrific. It looks like it may rain up there (Whale Peak) this week which will make the views very nice after the storm passes through. Looks like almost exactly one year since you started this plan but I bet it will be worth it. If it is windy, there is a nice campsite on the western edge of the summit plateau that is protected from the wind by rocks and trees. We stayed there one night when it rained and the wind was howling over our heads but hardly a whisper in the campsite. It also has a nice large, somewhat flat rock for relaxing and enjoying the views to the west.

We are heading back to the Sierra for 5 days to check out the fall colors. Hopefully the snow will end in the Sierra on Thursday, then it is supposed to be cold but sunny for the next few days. Can't wait to get back up there. When we return it will definitely be time to get back out into the desert.
David

Thanks for tip on the campsite David, my tentative plans take into account the weather and my work schedule (which has not afforded me much more than a few two day trips this summer). Last year when I hiked half way up it was in the high 90's (that was in Oct) and there are no water sources along the way. I am jealous of the Sierra trip, have a great time. I did not get out to Death Valley this summer, first time in years and I am feeling withdrawal symptoms.

Have fun on your trip,
Daren

Looks like it was a great day. You are right not to worry about finding those things on your first trip out there because now you have a reason to return and give it another shot. Once you find one piece of pottery you can't help but find more. That is a great area to keep going back to visit. And now that the weather is changing it is even better.
David

Daren;

I took the Land Cruiser. It's stock. I haven't had it lifted yet.
I know the section that you are talking about. And I intentionally wanted to see if my 4 WD training would pay off, because I bypassed it on my trip in June. (There's a road around it from Mortero Wash road) Well, I made it through in both directions without any damage.

I pondering lifting the Land Cruiser. I have to lift it 2 1/2 inches to put 33's on it. (It running stock 31's right now). But I so short, it is all I can do to climb up in it now. I don't know how I'll get in it if I lift it 2 1/2 or 3 inches.

I am not sure about Windows or Mac but on my Linux/UNIX computer I would just do this:

for f in *.pdf; do pdftotext "$f" - | grep -i linux; done

to search for the word "linux" in all of the pdf files in the current directory.

There seems to be a Mac package you can install for pdftotext here http://www.bluem.net/en/mac/packages/

I have not used it since I don't have a mac..use at your own risk.

I will search for Rock House in my collection when I get home tonight.
edited by dsefcik on 10/13/2011

Hey Bob, is that a new bumper and winch on your Toyota??

Desert Pavement near Ocotillo

Okay Daren, here is the link to the video.
http://youtu.be/r2Y2QtyuHpI

Some pieces of the Serpent sculpture in progress


--

Pocket Mouse in Indian Valley North Fork

Anybody going to try and photograph or view the lunar eclipse this Saturday? I am trying to pick a good viewing spot in San Diego to photograph, any suggestions?

Great Way to explore ABDSP is by Truck Camper and a 4x4 truck. These make great base camps, and can get virtually anywhere through the park. I have been all the way through Fish Creek to Sanstone Canyon, Pinyon MTN Rd, Pinyon Wash, Indian Canyon, June Wash, Oriflamme Canyon, and Mine Wash.
edited by anutami on 12/15/2011

Thanks for the welcome, came across this forum researching a trip to Cougar Canyon we are looking to do after xmas. Looks like this forum is right up my alley as I do approx 5-10 trips to ABDSP a year. Still trying to figure out how to post better pictures as I am not that computer savy.
!

I am going to have seven days and debating whether or not to spend it at ABDSP or making the trek to death valley. I have never been to death Valley national park. Just curious to all those reading this what you would do.

Looks cool, I like the mud cracks shot. Sorry we couldn't hook up, we probably drove right past each other.

yeah, looks good...you got me looking at my maps of the caves now and am thinking of heading out there soon...thanks!

surfponto wrote:

Does the link work for you now?
Bob

Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.

Here is a panorama shot from the mine of the McCain Valley, Laguna Mtns and some of the other southern mountain ranges. If you look closely you can see the McCain Valley pinnacle rock and also the Laguna observatory.

Click this link for the full size version (18mb)

OK, Cal Topo is cool, thanks!

This is where we parked last time I believe Cal Topo Map

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice on places to check out over the New Years weekend. We managed to squeeze in numerous day trips and reconnoiter several places to go back and visit when there is more time. The down side of that strategy is that we only spent enough time in one place to wet our whistle for more.

We managed to locate the cave/shelter on Indian Hill and spent some time checking out the hill a little. Very impressive and I would like to go back and "explore" more, as well as check out the RR camp. Makes me wonder how many similar Native American sites are out there waiting to be found for the first time The campfire remains are still there and look the same as in other pics on this site.

We also hiked up through Moonlight Canyon all the way to Inner Pasture. We did not go into the Inner Pasture, but ate some snacks and hung out a while before heading back down Moonlight. I was really hoping to see some sheep, (their droppings were everywhere, some quite fresh) but we were skunked this time. Watched a couple Red Tailed Hawks for a while and saw a few lizards but that was it. No people.
Later on the same day, we headed out Indian Gorge and into the south fork all the way to the end. What a pretty place... No one in the camp spot at the end, so we checked out the palms, scrambled around on the boulders and just enjoyed the solitude.

Another day we drove out to the end of one fork (west?) of June Wash just to see what was there. Hiked around and explored a little. Only a few people camping along the wash, but we did see a park ranger near far end of the wash--she was heading back out. I wonder if that is part of their rounds, or they just do a "head count" occasionally.

All in all a successful trip, we checked out a lot of places, the samurai didn't break down, and now we have more info about some sites for future/return trips. Cant wait to go back

I am working to convince the wife to do some primitive camping in the area, she loves to hike and explore, but it might be a hard sell. She's a trooper but she doesn't have much interest in tent camping and sleeping in the back of a truck anymore. Those days might be over : )
My brother says he is game, so maybe a trip in the next few weeks, work schedule permitting. I wouldn't mind doing the Indian Valley thing and hiking to the top of Sombrero.

Out of curiosity can you overnight in Inner Pasture? What about the parts that are outside of the park boundaries?

Here is a link to some pics:

link


Happy New Year!

Dave

The remains I saw were at the very end of the S. Fork of Indian Valley, but I did think about the pics you had posted when I saw it, just couldn't remember where your pic was from at the time.

As I look at the map, it seems like Sombrero Peak is about a mile from the end of the S. Fork road, is that a decent place to start from to get there, or is there another place that is more suitable? I know it looks steep, but how steep is it really : )

Dave

The one known as the Cuyamaca Peak, acquired the name of
Poo-kwoo-sqwee (Crooked Neck), in the same battle.

For anyone interested in the history of the Kumeyaay and the Cuyamaca Mountains, this is a very interesting read, you can download or read it online from the OpenLibrary online, it was published in 1914. Cuyamaca Peak is an iconic landmark from almost everywhere in San Diego, it is visible from the shorelines to the desert peaks.

OpenLibrary Online Version

Download PDF Version

Bob, check out this link

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/rvs/2789559901.html

looks like a nice truck camper for a great price!


surfponto wrote:

I am impressed by how you took your vehicle with the huge camper on those trails.
You have got be thinking about picking up a camper for my wife's Tacoma at some point
I like these but they are very expensive.
Bob




anutami wrote:

Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.

Definitely will be going back! We did not make it to the bottom of the crater, we just stopped by for lunch before heading out to the Racetrack.
The Racetrack proved to destroy my front shocks on my truck. With the camper on top I did not feel comfortable driving over 30mph over the washboard road and was only able to go approx 20-25mph, which proved to blow out my stock front shocks. I needed to upgrade my shocks anyway.

Glad to see the green on the Ocotillo. Hopefully some of the rain forecast for this week will make it over the mountains.

Was this just an out-an-back or did you do a loop hike? My son and I did a loop last year that dropped us out into the North Fork. I am looking at doing a trip someday from Torote that drops out into Canebrake.

When you crest the top area it really opens up into a big sandy wash area, really beautiful up there..yeah, you are right, great place to camp/backpack.

Here is shot from last year up near the sandy area


This shot shows Sombrero Peak


surfponto wrote:

Out and back.
We went as far to where the canyon starts to climb up towards Indian Valley.
That is a really nice area.
Some really nice camp spots you could backpack int to.
Bob

dsefcik wrote:

Was this just an out-an-back or did you do a loop hike? My son and I did a loop last year that dropped us out into the North Fork. I am looking at doing a trip someday from Torote that drops out into Canebrake.

Topped the tank at $4.89 a gallon to be sure to have enough to get through about 150 miles off road before we hit the I-15 freeway at Afton Road.

You had it easy, check out the pic, This is the gas station at Furnace Creek in death valley....I have a diesel

My brother brought 10 gallons. There are so many side roads to explore it is good to have extra just in case. I didn't use any but the jeep used one can on the trail.

That is way cool! He explains the technique

Both cameras are Canon T3i 600Ds. One was using an 8mm fisheye. The other was using a Tamron 17-50 2.8mm set at 17mm. The star time-lapses were 30 second exposures with the aperture wide open. The 8mm was at 6400 iso and the 17mm was at 3200 iso.

I was out there this last weekend also (more later) and the wind was crazy, the skies were cloudy and the sunrise was amazing. I will post pictures later.

anutami wrote:

Looking to explore the area this weekend and have never been. Looks like many of you guys frequent this section of the park. I am looking to check out Indian hill with my kids and camp in jojoba wash. Am I able to get my truck and camper through these trails? I will usually scout things out before getting my camper in a place I can't get out of.

Also, does anyone know if there is cell coverage in the area? I have AT&T. Thanks

anutami wrote:

Looking to explore the area this weekend and have never been. Looks like many of you guys frequent this section of the park. I am looking to check out Indian hill with my kids and camp in jojoba wash. Am I able to get my truck and camper through these trails? I will usually scout things out before getting my camper in a place I can't get out of.

Standing at the Indian hill trailhead....bighorn sheep sighting!

Going to try Sombrero Peak this weekend with my bro. I have been to the end of the S. Fork of Indian Valley but am not too sure about where to start toward the peak. Should I go up the gorge and work my way toward the peak when appropriate, or is there another more suitable way. It looked to be sort of choked with shrubbery along near the water when I was there around new years.

Thanks and hope the weather holds

Dave

Bob, check out this link to the all new 4 wheel pop top camper fully contained!...This thing looks sweet! Makes me want to downsize and go a bit smaller and lighter.

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/tcm-exclusive:-2012-four-wheel-camper-fleet-self-contained/

We had fleeting thought about doing the "Squeeze" in our stock samurai, but thought better of it for now. Doesn't going through the squeeze commit you to Pinyon Mt. Drop Off or something? I looked on YouTube and decided against it, probably a wise decision. I am always a little nervous heading in somewhere I may not be able to get back out of. We are usually by ourselves too. I almost want to check it out on a motorcycle ahead of time just to be sure.

We did go down the "one way" drop off near the volcanic hills area, a few months back, and that was pretty interesting!
It is hard to hear in the commentary, but my wife is saying "This is where it all started to go south!" and then points out how the wheels were up in the air, etc.
link
The samurai is very narrow (and short), so the normal width ruts need to be negotiated a little differently. The little drop off at the top was pretty severe, though it is hard to see in the pic. Fun though

I Like the old cruiser a lot, very cool! A friend of ours had one way back with a chevy motor, we called it the "Chevota" and it would go and go as well.

Dave

Thank you everyone for your responses! Sorry for my late response, Chinese New Year kept me busy. Culp Valley it is! Hopefully, I can borrow my brother's DSLR and take some great pictures. I'll post them here if they're any good. Thank you again!

On Sunday I decided to take a day hike up to the Marshal South Cabin. It was a beautiful day in Blair Valley, and a good day for a climb up Ghost Mountain.

....

Plenty of water from the mouth of cougar up. Fire burned the south side. Didn't make it as far into the canyon as I would have liked, girlfriend isn't too comfortable off trail scrambling. Didn't get a chance to check out sheep canyon either. I'll have to come back.

Lower willows had more water than December.

The road still goes over boulder alley, although I think boulder alley is way more tame than I remember from 15 years ago. Still a tough climb, watched a jeep struggle. I think keeping crowds down is better. Those motivated will find a way.

Thanks for the information, had a great time.

Went out for the day today with my brother. We jetted down in the morning and reached the end of S. Fork Indian Valley by about 8:40 and started up toward Sombrero Peak. Everyone was right, there were a lot of ducks, maybe so many that we followed the wrong ones. Not sure : ) We hiked up and along the left "fork" of the draw and in retrospect it may have been easier to veer to the right. It was steeper than I anticipated the entire way, but we made it past the few false peaks and finally arrived at the top in just about 2 hours.
Wow, what great views. The weather was perfect; clear skies, just enough breeze and clear (even cool in the shade when we started). I was not expecting to see the wind turbines near Golden Acorn from the top, but we could just make them out. (the pics on google + seem to lose some detail)

I have a few questions about what we could see from the top when looking back down the valley. Looking back toward the trailhead and S. Indian Valley, what are the two valleys/canyons to the right ((eastish?) I think the nearer one is Bow Willow, and the next one (much wider and sandier looking) east is Carrizo, is that right?
I also noticed on the map that there is a Sombrero Peak Palm Grove, has anyone been there?

Lots of scratches and scrapes, but worth it for the views and experience. Now I think my brother has the desert fever again and is going to come with me more often.

We saw more people than usual along S2, and an orienteering class (it looked like) at the Indian Gorge turnoff. On the way out, there were about 8-10 vehicles camped along the road until we got to the fork and then we didn't see anyone for the rest of the day until we headed back down.
All in all a great day
Here are some pics of the day... link

I wish they were a little clearer but oh well

Dave

I was unable to open the link to the facts, but was able to open up your picture(s) and the links from your site. I hope it does not come to fruition. Hard to refute the data in the ppt.

I subscribe to a BLM newsletter that comes via email once a week or so and it has tons of info r.e. what is going on in and around our public lands. (you may already get it) There are always numerous links to "renewable" power projects. (about halfway down the latest newsletter), public comment periods and other interesting things going on with the BLM. I have found it to be pretty informative, and it seems for the most part they do a pretty good job managing the public lands.

Here is the link to the latest newsletter from Friday 2/3
link
Is the wind project in Ocotillo on private or public land?
Dave

I was anywhere from the 900'-4500' elevation in the Borrego Palm Canyon area on Saturday and only saw a few flowers. Things were looking slightly greener than they were a few weeks ago though.

Baja Sonora looks pretty lush compared to ABDSP right now! I saw a lot of 'micro-blooms' in the Inner Pasture over the weekend, but no big areas of coverage, just isolated blooms. The exception being Ocotillo, which were starting to bloom almost everywhere I looked. Also some nice blooms of white-flowered Ceanothus far up in the canyons, where there is a bit more water.

Nice baja trip, I have been very apprehensive about going down to baja these last couple of years. We love bahia de los angeles, la bufadora (kayaked to todos santos from there), and scorpian bay. Any issues while you were down? Looks pretty wet down there and the hood of your cruiser is covered in mud spray.

I camped at Mortero Palms trailhead on Sat Night and they are trying to come out...