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It took two attempts to summit Granite mtn. The first time we got slammed by a snow storm. This was back in the 90's. A week later we went back to clear sunny skies. Went up from the S2/East side following the dry creek trail. Neat grinding holes along the creek so look for them. Then up the ridge and scramble to the top.
More recently from Rodriguez canyon. I parked near the turmoline mine near the PCT and just scrambled up the west side.

Scooter. Is that the gold mine the one with a shaft on the south side of the mountain slope? That oriflamme canyon road from the bottom was "interesting" to get to the saddle. I think I'll only drive it once.
edited by rockhopper on 2/16/2019

Nice. Which route did you take? If you went up BPC, how bad was the brush?

For posting pictures on here, I use a flickr account to host them.

I have said in previous posts, the top of the 'Rosa's are one of my favorites, the views of the Salton Sea, Cochella Valley at night and all of ABDSP are just amazing. I fully recommend an overnight stay when possible. The sunrise over the Salton Sea is just gorgeous from that altitude. Nice TR, thanks for sharing.

Will be getting some time off soon and I'd like to try this route https://caltopo.com/m/S0R8 as a day hike. The majority of it appears to be on BLM. Anyone see any issues with this and the possibility of it crossing private land?

I have been wanting to hike from Laguna to the desert floor and interested in the best route. Other than the PCT, has anyone tried Storm Canyon or have any other routes?

Scooter wrote:

Rocko1 wrote:

I have been wanting to hike from Laguna to the desert floor and interested in the best route. Other than the PCT, has anyone tried Storm Canyon or have any other routes?

Rocko looks lime a great trip, two years ago did Schads route off the end of Monument Peak Rd down into the Potero Canyon. Spent the night at a spring on the desert floor. Next day hiked out and spent the night at Auga Caliente Springs campground. Dramatic views hiking down off the Lagunas. Good Luck

hiked the ridge East from the end of Monument Peak Rd. This is the same trip in Schads book. The hard part is the time to do the vehicle shuttle. Paid the $3 at Agua Caliente for safe parking.


Interesting. I don't see any trail coming off of that peak-just hiked that Saturday. Did you just follow the canyon or ridge?

The rain predicted for this week has me thinking about good places to go in Anza Borrego on rainy days. My first thoughts... Obviously avoid areas prone to flash floods. If I do drive off pavement, something tame, more gravel maybe and not so much mud. The goal isn't to test my vehicle recovery skills. And maybe the same goes for going on foot. Hiking in the rain can be really nice, but if the ground gets too muddy it can be a chore.

What do you all think? Are there places that you like to go on rainy days?

I haven't been to the crash site, but the Lindsay book says this about it: From the Mine Wash turnoff (mile 79.5 on SR78), travel 1.6 miles to the Mine Wash Indian Village Site. "Another plane crash site is up on the hill east of the road." It says "another," because the previous section says that "a short 1 to 1.5 mile hike south from Stag Cove leads to an old airplane crash site. Half a buried engine is in the wash with scattered pieces of the plan strewn about." If no one else here has info, you should contact Dennis, who runs this site: https://www.facebook.com/bfpartyline/ His other hobby is hiking to plane crash sites. He told me that between he and his hiking partner, they had been to over 1,000 crash sites in the West. He will likely have lots of info.

davidwyby wrote:

I once found a site that where one could change the year look back at old maps. Britain?

Theres some old Platt maps but I'm not on my home computer. Not sure about the one your asking about.

tekewin wrote:

The cougars I've caught on camera have always been in canyons, in forested ranges, too, not just the desert.

Cougars definitely will hang out up on ridges and at water sources, they will go where needed and they definitely have a presence in ABDSP where BHS and deer habitate.

ziphius wrote:

Great trip report. I still need to explore the Thimble area.

Yes! It's an amazing area. I still have the Hob benchmark to climb near there and I want to spend half a day just exploring Hellhole Flat when it cools off a little. I'm psyched about winter and desert season.

Great pics. I went to Death Valley in October. Managed to pick a weather window that wasn't too cold for Telescope Peak nor too warm for the Racetrack. Right now it definitely looks to be on the cold side for a fair weather camper like me. I'm going to be watching the forecast for another window this spring.
edited by Brian on 1/10/2021

Usually thanksgiving is still dry from the long summer. I am sure springtime will have water in both.

dsefcik wrote:

#2 Probably leave a couple of drops along the way up if you are certain you will come back down the same way.

You know yourself and water needs best however.

Thanks Daren. You figure just burring under some rocks off trail 10 yards or so will suffice? I have heard of animals chewing through plastic to get to water. Not sure how quickly that happens or if it's a summer thing.

Water quality sounds fun..... pretty sure your dead critter is a gray fox.