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@surfponto:

Sorry, I am confused...is this a sunrise or sunset "of" Granite mtn or "from" Granite mtn?

Either way great photo...!

Looks pretty good Bob, nice video. Might get one!

Well I went for a two day hike of the Inner Pasture. It was my first foray into the desert since I was hospitalized in the end of November / beginning of December. I chose the Inner Pasture purposely because it is such a gradual rise in elevation. I thought with my weight loss of 60 pounds, and my daily workout on the Total Gym, I was ready for it. That’s what I get for doing my own thinking.
I got out there Saturday morning, to a bright cloudless sky. I strapped on my 26 pound pack. That’s 16 pounds of equipment, and 10 pounds of water. Set my GPS, and activated my SPOT, so my wife can keep track of me, and set off.
I first came upon one of Daren’s water caches. Looks like this one is going to need refilled.



The desert is on the verge of blooming. A Chuperosa in bloom.



I have no idea what this is.






A cactus ready to bust out blooming all over.



Octillo



The openning of the canyon to the Inner Pasture.



I seemed to be hiking pretty slowly, even for me. I check my watch and the GPS, and I discovered that it had taken me an hour and a half to hike a little more than half a mile. I figured that I had two and a half miles to go to the Inner Pasture. I was exhausted, and more than a little disgusted with myself for being so out of condition. All that work on the Total Gym did nothing for my stamina and endurance. And I was planning on doing the Grand Canyon in April. I decided it would be prudent just to turn around and hike back to the LandCruiser. A lot of thing were going through my head on the way back. Not the least of which was, I was 60 years old and maybe it's time to give up the dream. I was even thinking that REI had the annual Used Gear Sale in a couple weeks, and I have a lot of really good, light weight equipment I could sell.

On the way back I ran into a couple of Border Patrol agents who were out looking for aliens in distress. They ask me if I had seen anybody. But I hadn't. By the time I got back to the LandCruiser, things looked brighter. I pledged to work on my endurance, and keep on hiking.

So the next day I went out towards the Salton Sea. I got off at Fonts Point because I always heard about it, but had never been there. There's a natural arch about in the center of this picture. Does any one know anything about this?





It was a really awsome view. I imagine I'm the last person to go up there, but if not it's worth it.

Yeah, I was wondering what extra parts you would need to cook food with it after checking it out online. It also seems like a good item to have around the house for the inevitable power outages in San Diego. Or the boil-your-water orders following our water-main-of-the-week-breaks. The city is falling apart.

Isn't that cave in Indian Hill?
Isn't that the solstice cave or something like that?

I've heard of a Shamans cave in the Carrizo Gorge by the Palms.
edited by sddarkman619 on 3/5/2013

That sign that says road closed, is that at the drop down ledge in the gorge? I used to drive down that drop off and park the truck at a hill of rocks and hike to the trestle from there. It's a bit of a workout hiking UP to the trestle from below near that drop off, but it's a nice hike too.

I've also been looking for these pictographs for a while, anyone care to message me and help me out? I'm supposed to be heading there this weekend for photos.
Thanks
Larry
edited by sddarkman619 on 3/5/2013

The Carrizo shaman cave is a great site and I'm glad you visited it. Was at an archaeology meeting a few months ago and met an old timer who told me there's another cave upstream. Forgot to bring his map when I was last out there January 27 and never found his site. Regarding the overpainted figures, they've been noticed since at least Treganza's report in 1942:

"Another group of pictographs in the Carrizo Gorge contains two elements that suggest a rather late origin. One painting is a human figure seated in what appears to be a chair and near the figure a "Christian Cross" is represented. The other figures are human and geometric. The pigment used appears to be a commercial oil paint or lamp black. This suggests either a very late origin for the paintings or retouching by some over-ambitious photographer."

Found another report stating the father of Colorado Desert archaeology, Malcolm Rogers, made a habit of overpainting all the pictographs he encountered! He may be the one who touched up Carrizo. Oh, well. Tom

Looks pretty nice Bob.....

Thanks dsefclk, I've got to do that some day.

Nice trip Nolan and glad you got out okay. So, what's the forum wisdom on getting unstuck when out by yourself? Saw this neat little cartoon on the science of really dropping tire pressure but I'm a novice at knowing what works. Tom


tire pressure by tomteske, on Flickr

Hi, thought I'd share these-- hope the links work...

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-484ZKf17AmK08pzW-5_JtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7Z5gd-ONU5YyIPQ5Jo9tikVECuu_4yzOrEFIoluDC5E?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kuGT59_OelW93ZYW2XKvtNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

dfrancis wrote:

Hi, thought I'd share these-- hope the links work...

Links work great, nice photos....the Salton Sea one looks familiar from my recent Villager/Rabbit/Dawns trip.

surfponto wrote:

Problem is when you are stuck in mud/muck you can't jack the car up and put stuff under the tires.. (another trick)

Ummmm..sorry, isn't the problem here the driver of the *stuck* vehicle..????

surfponto wrote:

Yeah and he doesn't even have a driver's license .

dsefcik wrote:

surfponto wrote:

Problem is when you are stuck in mud/muck you can't jack the car up and put stuff under the tires.. (another trick)

Ummmm..sorry, isn't the problem here the driver of the *stuck* vehicle..????

Bob, How did you get out of that one? I'll bet you were covered in Mud!

The SoCal Rendezvous Conspiracy is a free event, held each year since 2011 and put together by a group from the Expedition Portal forums and led by Dave Bennett, (Tacodoc). In addition to the Saturday evening potluck, there were donated raffle prizes, free decals and t-shirts. The group’s main objective is to plot to meet at a remote location at an agreed upon time to hang out with fellow adventurers. A fun aspect of this event is that the attendees don't know the location of base camp until it is revealed about a week before, as a set of GPS coordinates in the middle of the desert.





For the whole story and more photos, check out my blog post: SoCal Desert Rendezvous 2013: 33°35’58.13″N 115°32’13.31″W
edited by BorregoWrangler on 3/18/2013

Just in case any of you are going to be out on S2, this Saturday, keep a look out for about 100 cyclists and a few support vehicles that will be headed east. The ride is from Santa Ysabel to El Centro. The ride starts at 8 and by the time we get out to S2 the group is pretty spread out.... it might have something to do the first 9 miles being up hill.
edited by railexplorer on 3/18/2013

ABDNHA has some good info and photos about current wildflower reports:

http://www.abdnha.org/pages/03flora/reports/current.htm

Heading out to AZSP for the first time. Pretty excited. Was aiming for Fish Creek to check out the Wind Caves. Can anyone fill me in on camping out there? Are you supposed to stay close to Split Mountain near the campground or can you venture in and camp in some of the other washes? I just want to avoid camping right next to someone.

TR wrote:

Where do you think you should go to see the wildflowers?

TR,

This will be a little vague, I had all these photos/plants named with locations, tried to post yesterday, kept losing them.
Locations: Harpers Canyon, Hapaha Flat, Fish Creek, one photo Ancient Beach Line, the Family Ranch (Borrego Springs)

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/108521279313815351286/albums/5856875249426132801#photos/108521279313815351286/albums/5856875249426132801

Blooming now

surfponto wrote:

What an amazing area!
Very cool that the fish traps are still there.

I really need to check that out.

Thanks for posting that Tom

Bob

It's kinda amazing you can still find these artifacts out there since it was a Navy base for decades and most of the ground has been disturbed by roads, buildings, etc. Neat place to visit. Tom
edited by tommy750 on 3/31/2013

• When: Saturday April 6
• Where: Pegleg Road and Henderson Canyon Road

• Preposterous prevaricators, languid liars, and ridiculous raconteurs will assemble at dusk on Saturday, April 6th for the umpteenth annual revival of Borrego’s own Pegleg Smith Liars Contest.
  
  
• A celebration of the classic American art of obfuscation, the Liars Contest provides a singular opportunity for both desert denizens and neophyte newcomers to savor a rare glimpse of Desert Rats in their natural habitat.
  
  
• Verbal assaults are expected to adhere to an authentic desert theme, and are only limited by the patience of the often unruly audience (usually about five minutes). Incidents of veracity during the course of the contest will be dealt with in a most severe manner. Enduring fame and environmentally-friendly recycled prizes await the victors.
  
  
• As always, the festivities will be held alongside the genuine, official California State Historical Landmark (#750) honoring the genuine, authentic Thomas Long “Pegleg” Smith, near the corner of (where else?) Pegleg Road and Henderson Canyon Road, in the suburbs of Borrego Springs.
  
  
• Visitors are reminded to bring their own seating, beverages, and an ample supply of good humor.
  
  
• All entrants receive a recycled trophy and a certificate of participation. Judges award points for originality, costume, audience reaction, and mention of Pegleg Smith (not Pegleg Pete or points are deducted) and/or lost gold.
  
  
• This year the program has two distinguished MCs – the Mayor of Borrego Springs (that’s not a lie!) and the Empress of the Salton Sea who is returning to regale us with her tales of having met Pegleg.
  
  
• Be there at Pegleg Monument at dusk or by 7 p.m. when the MCs will begin to warm up the crowd.
  
  
• Once again there will be both a children’s division and an adult division. Polish up your stories, wear a costume, sing a tune, play an instrument – everything goes!
  
  
• Win a coveted trophy!

Looks like an awesome trip. Never been out that way and need to get out there before the gate closes. The Xterra's paint looks a little too pristine for those videos you posted Tom

There's a historical marker for the old stage coach station up at the Desert View Tower. I suspect they moved the marker from its original spot to there when they put in the freeway. Although, I remember seeing the marker/monument there as early as 1964. The freeway wasn't completed yet, I don't think, but maybe someone was thinking ahead.

Now, does anyone know what's going on at Mountain Springs, the town, I mean. Its one of the few ghost towns that I know of with its own interstate off-ramp. I would love to walk through there. Some of those structures I remember being a bar and store in the '60's.
edited by Space Cowboy on 4/9/2013

surfponto wrote:

When do they close the gate for the summer?

June 1'st - Sept 30th I believe.

A long time ago I used to be a mechanic at a dealer. There used to be a used car lot across the street that had less than the cream of the crop vehicles. The best comment I heard about that place was they used to start the cars in the morning and someone said "Sounds like they are starting up a bunch of diesels!" That comment was made 40 years ago and I always think of it when I hear a diesel! I know, I know... it's the pump/rail! Glad to hear you got this running sweet and most off-road mags lament that the manufacturers don't offer diesels in Jeeps, etc.

Just added another vehicle to our Desert Excursions

2003 chevy tahoe 4x4 found on craigslist with only 45k miles Just sold the Xterra this weekend, sad to see her go

Tested out the 4wd while heading back from El Centro on Friday and decided to take the scenic route home ec085 through plaster city along the railroad tracks

Backcountry Navigator. It is the best gps prog I have ever used. Its the only app I have ever paid for (9.99 when I got it) If it wasn't for the limited battery of cell phones, I would say its better than a garmin gps. You can save all the maps you want (for free) at home on wifi. You can record tracks make waypoints, record trip data, import/export data in .gpx format. It is awesome. The only limitation is battery, but if you are using it for back roads driving, that doesn't matter because you can leave it plugged in. ( I keep it plugged in and rubber band it to the rear view mirror and set it to "stay awake") It is amazing for navigating desert roads. You can download both the topo map and the satellite view, and then see exactly where you are on either map. Very helpful in the desert when some roads aren't on the topo, but you can see them on the satellite view. There is also a map layer with a topo overlaid on the satellite photos. It so good it almost takes some of the fun out of trying to navigate the desert roads to the trailhead in the dark.
\
It is ok for continuous use unplugged for about 4 hours or so, but anything longer than that I leave the phone off and only take it out when needed. It will last several days if you do it that way.

I am starting to leave the garmin at home more and more and only use my phone. (maybe because the garmin I have is just the basic breadcrumb and waypoints w/o a map)

Glad you gave up the over priced Iphone and came over to the good side!

Also, in the google maps app on the phone, you can also cache maps, which can be helpful for some remote stretches of highway where you may not have service.
edited by mrkmc on 5/5/2013

We use My Tracks from Google. It's free! You e-mail your track to whom ever as a .kml file. You can view it in Google Earth or in Google Maps. There's a placemark feature and all travel stats are there for you to review. Here's My Tracks of one of my mustard removal trips... https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=214727587460963019902.0004d97bc33cd4fa57466
If you click on the end icon all the info will be displayed.

Not sure I understand why the switch but....yea!!

Ditto mrkmc, BCN is worth the $10. Be sure to switch into "Airplane" mode when using it to get the longest battery life. I can get 8-9 hours out of my 4 year old Droid.

I was looking thru the April 1947 issue of Desert Mag and saw an article about Carrizo Gorge and it had a picture of the cattlemen's shack in it. I thought it would be interesting to compare it to how it looks today. Technically though it is out of ABDSP and is in BLM land.

Here is the 1947 article photo


And here is a photo from July 2010 when Bob, his wife and I visited it


This is a great "what is different in these pictures" game. There are some subtle differences but the fact that the most of the Ocotillos are still there says something about them.

I would like to get back out there and explore the surrounding hills some more.

......
I would like to get back out there and explore the surrounding hills some more.

Would you be interested in a photoshoot out in the desert? I am a young automotive photographer and will be traveling to Borrego in search of new portfolio material.

surfponto wrote:

Have some transfer case issues to deal with, but the motor sounds amazing.

edited by surfponto on 4/14/2013

I'm no controlled burn expert, but there was a wind warning on my phone at 5 am for this area.

When I got home and looked at this photo on the computer I thought to myself how could the whole sky really look like that, full of deep rich orange color across the whole horizon...it can't be real, you must have Photoshop'd it. But I was there, I took the photograph, it was real. The magic comes from a 500mm zoom lens.

Here is a photo of the same sunrise with a 70mm lens


Here is a photo of the same sunrise with a 500mm lens


You can see in the photo with a 500mm lens the entire sky does seem to be filled with a deep rich orange color but in the 70mm photo you can see that really only a small portion of the sky above the mountains is filled with that wonderful color.

To achieve the panoramic sunrise photo I took 5 photographs with a 50% overlap with the 500mm lens and then stitched them together to get the final result. Zoom lenses can be fun with sunrises or sunsets.


http://www.sefcik.com/2013/06/breaking-down-sunrise-photo.html

The San Diego History Center is hosting a series on local craft beers called, History Happy Hours. The first is July 26 and is called "Bottled & Kegged: San Diego’s Craft Brew Culture." It includes beer tasting and meeting local brewers. Here's the link:

http://www.sandiegohistory.org/calendar/historyhappyhours

Tom

Pelley added one as well...pretty messed up.

I love that view!

Been camping at s. carlsbad state beach for the last 25 years and the beach has always been rocky. Within the last year or so the north part of the beach is now covered in deep sand. With all the recent major fires in our area I can't help but think all the sand is due to all the erosion, can anyone shed some light on this?

View of the north beach at south carlsbad state beach which has been covered with rocks for as long as I can remember.

Article about wind farm mortality levels of eagles from US Fish and Wildlife researchers. Some of the comments following the article are also worthwhile reading.

With that and my recent truck troubles I am seriously thinking about selling my newer truck and going back to an older vehicle, something I can fix.

........ I wish had time to get out there right now....

Looks fun, haven't been to Cabo in 25 years.

Wow, that is green. Ever ventured into the Sierra La Laguna biosphere north of Cabo? Drove through once in 2010 mid-summer and was pretty green (Camino de las Naranjas travels east-west and is a steep winding one lane dirt road) but must be amazing now. Great trip. Tom

Thanks to Pattern and $3.5 million dollars....I am sure all of the retirees who live in Ocotillo are happy about the Tamarisk removal....sorry, just had to blurt that out......

Thanks...if all goes to plan we should be camped out near Split Rock somewhere on Sat night...so if you are near there try and find us!

surfponto wrote:

Awesome lanscape photos.
You really make we want to get out there.
I would like to learn how to do that long exposure shot . Really cool.

Mary and I are heading out Saturday night. Haven't picked a spot but I am thinking Harper Flat etc.
Bob