11/22/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Rather than peruse this site I figured I might introduce myself since it appears my interest has been piqued after visiting last Veterans Day for an unplanned rock art exploration trip. The sites we visited and the dark skies we experienced were awe inspiring. My plan is to make it down this coming spring after doing some research on the best approach to Pinto Canyon and discovering that area despite the warnings I’ve read up on but I digress.
I was first introduced to the desert in the early 60’s when my parents purchased a condo to stay in and as a minor spent many winters in the Palm Springs area until adulthood. Subsequently life has taken me into many recreational adventures (surfing, diving -free/scuba, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, canyoneering) and now that I’m retired, I have the time with a buddy to take trips on short notice to explore rock art. I’ve visited many of the indigenous sites around the Santa Monica’s (primarily Chumash) Los Padres, and recently the Anza Borrego area. I’ve never really looked at petroglyph’s so I’m looking into the ones around Pinto for a future spring trip which is how I found this site. My plan is to take an excursion in my buddies 4 wheel Toyota again (and that last trip to Carrizo Gorge had me as concerned as I am on rope rappelling in a canyon) so I’m trying to allay my concerns by not re-inventing the wheel here by prepping and researching this upcoming trip. That’s it for now. |
11/22/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Thanks Brian for you're response. Which gate are you referencing?
Brian wrote:
Welcome to the forum.
I haven't been to Pinto myself, but I'm interested enough that I looked into the routes. With the exception of Valley of the Moon (which is probably the most difficult approach) you won't need any special vehicle because you'll be stopped by a locked gate before you get anywhere close to the area. |
11/22/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Hi Tom, thanks for you're feedback. Since there appears to be a road (Clark Lane) that terminates a little over 2-1/2 miles from the proposed site I'm thinking of an approach from the South. Some of my reading elsewhere thus far shows a lot of people heading down from Boulder Creek and Mountain Springs which has me questioning my route down Davies Valley. If I can gain an approach from the South that would cut off a considerable distance (one of the forum members has a TR from VOM to the south which is nearly 11 miles). As much as I love hiking, the desert relative to my normal hiking jaunts is out of my wheelhouse. With a short distance like this and a grade of less than 4% this appears to be much more doable, but I'll defer to you and others for feedback. Thanks in advance.
tommy750 wrote:
Hi Surf1Div1, have been to Pinto Canyon a couple times and it's well worth the trip. Things have changed quite a bit since my last trip with multiple new Border Patrol dirt roads heading to the canyon from Myer and Davies Valleys. It's (or was) wilderness so you'll need to walk. Should be multiple posts on this forum about Pinto Canyon. Have fun. |
11/23/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Thanks Brian, that explains why people drop down from the North. Crazy they don't allow passage since it's BLM land. Tommy, what approach would you recommend after having done this a couple of times. I'll peruse some trip reports to see any other recommendations. Wondering if biking from that gate to pintos mouth might be an option. |
11/23/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Perhaps they did this to facilitate 'the wall' construction which from GE does show what appears to be construction activity. I'm game for a day hike of it if you're around in the Spring (probably during a new moon cycle) when it's cooler and we can enjoy the dry skies. This is what GE is showing and there is a long asphalt highway down there now.
tommy750 wrote:
Wow, just checked out GE's updated Davies Valley imaging. They put a freeway through it! Have to admit, it was one of the most serene and peaceful places I've ever hiked but not anymore. Here's what it doesn't look like now from near BM Kirk toward the Sierra Juarez. If anyone wants to head out there for a day hike, would be happy to join you. Parking on old Hwy 80 and crossing under I-8, heading up Boulder/Myer, it's probably in the 14 mile range rt with Davies a few miles more but obviously easier since you can walk the freeway. Nothing is harder than a little boulder hopping.
 South Davies Valley3 by tomteske, on Flickr
edited by surf1div1 on 11/23/2021 |
12/6/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Hey Brian, me and a fellow hiker are planning sometime around April (depending on remod project finish here) to do Pinto but based on those of you in the Jacumba Hikers group it appears that going by way of Boulder/Meyers it's a fair amount of rock scrambling. Not sure that were up for it even though it's the much shorter route (From Myers I have approx 11 mile based on the route on GE). From Davies it's further but not nearly as much rock scrambling. I'm keeping my eyes open on planned hikes from the group and if I see them doing Pinto I will most likely attend it since it's a led hike vs. an exploratory (which is what we normally do).
Brian wrote:
tommy750 wrote:
If anyone wants to head out there for a day hike, would be happy to join you. Parking on old Hwy 80 and crossing under I-8, heading up Boulder/Myer, it's probably in the 14 mile range rt
Tommy, if you're ever planning on doing it I would love to go. I've done that route from Old Hwy 80 to Myer Valley and looped back - doing a slightly longer variation of the route from Schad's book. So I know the area. Just haven't gone as far as Pinto. I didn't want to do that part alone. |
12/6/2021
Topic:
Surf1div1 intro
surf1div1
|
Will do and hopefully others who've done the routes can lead or if there's a GPX file would appreciate it especially if coming from the North Approach. |
1/31/2022
Topic:
Upcoming Pinto Canyon Hike
surf1div1
|
Hi everyone, just wanted to announce my plan to do Pinto Canyon late March of this year. Let me start by stating that the hike is rated extreme per the Jacumba Hikers Group's prior write ups and entails quite a bit of rock scrambling. I know that a few have as recent as 2019 done this trip who are on the site and have expressed interest in doing it again. I'm opening this up to those that are interested, have extensive hiking experience and are fully equipped with the 10 essentials and able to carry a minimum of 1 gallon of water comfortably. I also suggest having some footwear that offers ankle support due to the nature of downclimbing on slippery boulders and surfaces that don't provide a lot of grip from which to scramble up and down. Looking forward to those that share my interest in indigenous artifacts and a healthy sense of adventure to make this with a few of us. We will be starting from the Meyers Creek area into Meyers Canyon to Pinto. I have a GPX route and the coordinates to where I'm exploring within the canyon. Additionally to those that have done this I'm interested in any suggestions and feedback you have to make the trip even more successful. |
4/2/2022
Topic:
Upcoming Pinto Canyon Hike
surf1div1
|
Well finally got out last Thursday and had great weather. Pinto Canyon was incredibly beautiful. I went from Meyers Creek and didn't go all the way to the border but about 2-1/2 miles from Davies Valley. With all the photo stops , border patrol conversation and hunting for petroglyphs it took us just under 7 hours. Those canyon boulders could be taxing on negotiating down limbs to get up and down this canyon. |