kylekai

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2/21/2012 Topic: Truck Camper kylekai	We just spent the weekend off Indian Gorge road, hiking Torote Canyon and exploring other nearby areas. Beautiful weather. It's amazing such a beautiful place can be so close to such a large noisy city.
2/22/2012 Topic: Truck Camper kylekai	We camped on the North Indian Canyon road, right after it forks from Indian Gorge. The next morning we went to the end of the North Indian Canyon and hiked around. The road was narrow at times, and it took some creative steering! About a month ago we camped at Bow Willow and hiked around the trails there: <em>edited by kylekai on 2/22/2012</em>
2/22/2012 Topic: Truck Camper kylekai	anutami wrote: Nice hallmark! Looks brand new. Did you drive to Colorado and pick it up? Indian gorge is an awesome place to boondock with a truck camper. Looks like you have solar panels which are essential in camping off the grid. I just installed a wave 3 catalytic heater in my eagle cap. It makes no noise and is much more efficient than a standard furnace. Can't wait to hear of other areas you get your rig to. You just have to watch out for the smoke trees, but the scrapes add character. Yes, it's less than a year old. This is my 3rd TC, and I knew what I wanted when I ordered it. I flew out to Colorado last April, toured the factory, and placed my order. Then I drove out mid-June, picked it up, and spent the summer driving it all over the western US with my 11-year-old son. There were some initial problems with the TC, as usual, but Hallmark has great customer service and fixed all the issues ASAP. The solar helps a lot (I can't stand the noise and exhaust from generators). It also has an electric refer, so I don't have to worry about parking on level ground or running out of propane. The refer is a lot quieter than I thought it would be. I've only taken the TC to the local desert a few times, but I know what you mean about the smoke trees. They have a tendency to reach out and grab your vehicle as you pass by! Here's a picture of my first TC at Death Valley. A 2006 Northstar 650 on a 2006 Ford F250. TC and truck both had their issues. My current has virtually none.
3/26/2012 Topic: Coyote Canyon "Boulder Alley" kylekai	I really enjoy reading about these adventures. However, most times I am not really sure where the particular trail or road is located within the park. It would be great if these types of stories would include a Google map link. Is that possible? Thanks!
3/30/2012 Topic: Coyote Canyon "Boulder Alley" kylekai	anutami wrote: *just updated more pics for the rest of the sections Great pictures! You sure get around a lot. You should create your own web site sometime with pictures, maps, and descriptions of all the places you've travelled to in AB park. That would be awesome! I've been going to the park for 8 years now, but looking at your reports shows me some new sections I need to explore.
4/2/2012 Topic: Coyote Canyon "Boulder Alley" kylekai	anutami wrote: Thanks, I guess you can say I'm hooked. I live in Ramona so it makes it pretty easy to head out on the 78 and spend the weekend exploring. As you know it also makes it easy having a rig w/ everything ready to go. All I need to to is pack some clothes and food and ready to head out. I just want to let others know of the amazing places out there. I have checked out previous posts and gotton great ideas on trips and just want to return the favor of posting my trips. Still trying to figure out the whole google earth map thing, I don't travel with a GPS, and just have my maps. With my Iphone I guess now I can track my trips, and will try and do that. Send me a PM is you want to know any specific info. Are you thinking of heading up boulder allley? I think you could totally make it up there, especially with your low profile camper. You may want to take your jacks off, as they may be the first thing to get damaged. While I probably could make it thru Boulder Alley, I doubt I'd try and drive it. Looks too painful, all that rocking and rolling. I'd probably park right before and just hike for awhile. Usually if I can walk faster than I can drive, I usually choose walking. But thanks for the vote of confidence! Tracking your route with the iPhone is a good idea. Be sure to look for an app that doesn't require cell service. It'd be great to see the route you took. I'm in Arizona now, driving the Apache Trail (east of Phoenix). Terrain similar to AB. Campgrounds are virtually empty during the week. Nice to get out of the big city. -Bill
4/8/2012 Topic: Coyote Canyon "Boulder Alley" kylekai	dsefcik wrote: Would love to see some pics and maybe more detail of the area...! Just got back. I'm not much of a picture taker, but I was inspired about the Apache Trail from this truck camper blog: [url=]http://mellomikeswolfcreekcamper.blogspot.com/2011/12/travelogue-apache-trail-az.html I was really impressed by the forest campgrounds. The forest area has a pass requirement called the Tonto Pass, similar to the Adventure Pass for our local mountains. The Tonto Pass is $6, but the fee also includes camping in their campgrounds, free hot showers included! We also went to Tucson and Organ Pipes National Park. Here's a picture of Apache Lake: . edited by kylekai on 4/8/2012 <em>edited by kylekai on 4/8/2012</em>
4/30/2012 Topic: Oriflamme Canyon kylekai	I was there last weekend. Took some pictures: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjz7xNLU One nice thing about using Flickr is the associated map with each picture. The geotag is usually correct, and it helps in pinpointing the location of the picture. -Bill <em>edited by kylekai on 4/30/2012</em>
4/30/2012 Topic: Oriflamme Canyon kylekai	Yes, Flickr can be slow, but the geotag is worth it for me. The staircase is about 50 feet southeast from the campsite; there's a trail leading to it. Looks like a large house was once there, and the stairs are all that's left. No bugs on the trail to Smugglers Canyon, but some gnats at the campsite. Few enough so that sitting outside was OK. Worse than the bugs was a group of 8 campers who appeared to want to party the night away, but luckily they decided to leave in the afternoon. Very fortunate for us. dsefcik wrote: I really liked the photos but I did struggle with flickr as it was not loading for very well. What is the ruins photo? I have not seen that before. Looks like you also made it over to the Blair Valley Pictographs. Lizards love that area and I love the view from Smugglers Cyn! I gotta ask, how were the bugs?
4/30/2012 Topic: Oriflamme Canyon kylekai	We didn't hike that far up. Hiked for less than an hour, and by then we were all tired of having the weeds sticking in our socks and shoes. So we hiked up to the road and came back that way. The trail was a bit overgrown; maybe next time I'll bring my clippers. I think you said there's a waterfall up the trail? I'd like to see that. anutami wrote: Nice pics. The water being present makes for a nice campsite. The road into the campsite is definitely rougher than it looks. Glad you made it! How far up canyon did you hike?
4/30/2012 Topic: Oriflamme Canyon kylekai	I gave my dad the URL for my pictures, and he had an interesting story to tell. My dad is 88. When he says "there" I think he means San Diego in general: Thanks for the pics. I, too, spent a weekend there (plus a couple of more days) 69 years ago. We (Coast Artillery from what is now Torrey Pines) were on a training mission (our "enemy" were Marines from Camp Pendleton). We didn't have tents or anything to sleep in, but the nights were warm. I spent one night on guard duty, lying in a ditch, watching something (a jeep?) coming closer and closer. I slowly moved my rifle forward (unloaded of course), hoping to claim a "dead" or "captured" enemy, before he jumped me (the Marines were much tougher than us), when I suddenly saw it was a little desert rat or something about 6 inches from my face. Bit of relief there.
5/24/2012 Topic: Big cool-down predicted for the weekend kylekai	We're headed out for the weekend also. I thought we'd stay at Culp Valley where it's cooler, but now maybe it'll be too cool there! But if you go, watch out for the fire in Shelter Valley: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Brush-Fire-Forces-Evacuations-Shelter-Valley-153807585.html <em>edited by kylekai on 5/24/2012</em>
9/3/2012 Topic: Calcite Mine Slot Canyons kylekai	Just going thru some old posts, getting reading for desert camping. I noticed you used an iPhone to take your pictures? If so, then the pictures (usually) also have the GPS coordinates attached to the image. I use my iPhone almost exclusively for taking pictures now, as it helps me remember where I took the picture. On my Macintosh computer, using the app Preview, I can open a picture and easily view the picture's location. Or I upload them to Flickr which also displays a map with the image location -- see this example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/modesitt/7127141619/in/set-72157629565943292/. Wouldn't it be great if we could click on a photo in this forum and it takes us to a Google map using the GPS coordinates associated with the picture? anutami wrote: Still trying to figure out how to do the google map screen shot w/ the route, but It looks like I went through Palm Wash. There is the south fork which is west of the calcite mine rd, and Palm wash due east and north east of the rd. Then there is the North fork which is way east of the calcite mine road. When I looped back around I was about in the middle of the North Fork and main Palm Wash. edited by kylekai on 9/3/2012 <em>edited by kylekai on 9/3/2012</em>
10/2/2012 Topic: Calcite Mine Slot Canyons kylekai	anutami wrote: Here is GPS location of the canyon for this report Latitude: 33.298000° N Longitude: 116.107167° W Great! Here's the Google link for those coordinates: http://goo.gl/maps/3VQIp
10/2/2012 Topic: iPhone app for Anza Borrego Desert State Park? kylekai	I am an iPhone developer and have recently published an app called BoonDocking: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/boondocking/id561352659?mt=8 It shows a lot of boondocking locations throughout the US. I was thinking of doing the same for Anza Borrego Desert State Park. The BoonDocking app uses GPX data, which is what Garmin and other GPS devices use. The locations could be camping, hiking, old mines, anything of interest. The map would be either the Google or Apple map, depending on the OS you're using, and generally the map is cached so even if you're offline, you could still see the map (or most of it). If I developed an AB app, I'd probably sell it for 99 cents and donate most of the money to ? This website? The AB Foundation? Something like that. Anone have any opinions on this? If I went ahead, I thought I'd create a website of some sort where I could gather info on locations of interest and create the necessary GPX file. Thoughts? Good or bad idea? Thanks for your time! -Bill
10/3/2012 Topic: iPhone app for Anza Borrego Desert State Park? kylekai	Hi Bob, Thanks for the interest. I thought about this more, and my suggestion, if you're interested, is for this site to model it after the boondocking site: boondocking.org People can enter a location, like this: http://www.boondocking.org/poi/POIAdd.shtml The locations (somehow) get loaded to a database, and if you're so inclined, this web site could show the locations on a Google map. You could make the data downloadable as it's done here: http://www.boondocking.org/poi/index.shtml If it's a GPX file, then many GPS devices could import it. I would use the GPX file for the iPhone app. I think it'd be a great app, so if you're inclined to collect and distribute the data, I'll make the app! I don't see this as a money maker at all; I'd sell it for 99 cents, Apple takes their 30%, I have to pay to get icons and other artwork made, and maybe in a year there might be a profit I could send to the ABF. But I think the biggest benefit would be to anyone who explores the park and owns an iPhone or iPad. Let me know what you think about all that. Thanks, Bill
10/3/2012 Topic: iPhone app for Anza Borrego Desert State Park? kylekai	One more thing. If you collect the data, and someone knows where they are on a Google map, here's how to get coordinates using Google Maps: <http://www.poi-factory.com/node/9323> That's from the POIFactory web site, a wealth of GPX files: http://www.poi-factory.com No, that's not a factory for Hawaiian poi, it's an acronym for Points Of Interest. edited by kylekai on 10/3/2012 (can't seem to get the URLs right). <em>edited by kylekai on 10/3/2012</em>
11/25/2012 Topic: Smartphone viewing kylekai	I like the way the site handles the small iPhone screen. That's well done. But logging in is another issue. I tried several times but always got the message "Server Error in '/AnzaBorrego/Forum' Application." You can see the entire error here: http://www.anzaborrego.net/AnzaBorrego/Forum/default-iphone.aspx
11/25/2012 Topic: GPS map of the Anza-Borrego Desert kylekai	If this was an iPhone app I'd more than likely buy it. I have the San Diego Backcountry app that uses the Tom Harrison maps, and while the map is excellent, the app is not. Let me know when it's on the iPhone / iPad. And I don't mean to necessarily advertise my services, but if you need an iPhone developer, let me know. I may have time to developer such an app if you're interested. See http://itunes.com/apps/modesittsoftware for my apps, many of which are map based.
11/25/2012 Topic: iPhone app for Anza Borrego Desert State Park? kylekai	I have another idea, and would like some feedback. This one is solely to help the park. Suppose you're driving down the road and you see a road hazard. What do you do? Who do you call? Or suppose you're driving around in the backcountry, and you see a group of people illegally camped, littering the landscape. What do you do? I am toying with the idea of writing an app that allows anyone with an iPhone to report these and other incidents with a few taps on their iPhone. With the app I tentatively call "Anza Borrego Reporter" you would choose from selections such as "Road Hazard" or "Illegal Activity" or "Environmental Damage" or even something like "Sheep Sighting." Then you'd add more info, take a picture, and all this info would be either posted to a web site, or sent as an email message to a responsible party for them to act upon. Those are just some basic ideas. But at the same time I don't want to unnecessarily burden an already over-burdened understaffed park with more information than they may want to deal with. But I would develop this app for the park because I love this park and want to do something to help it. Anyone have any thoughts on what I've posted so far? Thanks! -Bill
12/5/2012 Topic: iPhone app for Anza Borrego Desert State Park? kylekai	Looks like the state parks are already working in this direction with their Park Observation Program: http://calparks.org/monitor/
1/15/2013 Topic: Travertine Palms Oasis and Caves kylekai	Very interesting. I hope to head that way this weekend and you've given me some areas to explore. Now for some shameless self-promotion. You can find the 11 or so mud caves and hot springs near the Salton Sea (and another 1,600 other hot springs in the US) with my 99 cent iPhone app Hot Springs of the US: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hot-springs-of-the-usa/id583654750?mt=8 -Bill
4/25/2013 Topic: Overland Expo 2013 kylekai	Anyone here going to the Overland Expo 2013 in Flagstaff, May 17-19? I'm thinking of going. Should see some interesting expedition vehicles, ready to explore the desert! http://www.overlandexpo.com
6/9/2013 Topic: Forest Service Topo Maps kylekai	Not sure if this is old news, but I found some great topo maps available online from the Forest Service. Included are maps of Rabbit Peak, Toro Peak, and more. I import them into the excellent iPhone app PDF Maps (by Avenza) which will then show your location on the maps. The maps are here: http://fsgeodata.fs.fed.us/rastergateway/states-regions/grid_zoom.php?stateID=ca&gridSrc=33116
6/9/2013 Topic: Forest Service Topo Maps kylekai	When I click on your link to "caltopo.com" the following page says "Ooops! An unexpected error has occurred." But I figured it out anyway. Thanks for the info! edited by kylekai on 6/9/2013
10/20/2013 Topic: Hike from Culp Valley to Maindenhair Falls to road kylekai	Anyone ever hike from the Culp Valley campground to the parking area for Maindenhair Falls? I'm guessing about 5 miles? I was going to hike down and meet my wife at the Maindenhair Falls parking area, but not sure how far or long the hike will take. Thanks for any info!
10/21/2013 Topic: Hike from Culp Valley to Maindenhair Falls to road kylekai	That's what I thought. Thanks!
10/22/2013 Topic: Hike from Culp Valley to Maindenhair Falls to road kylekai	My mistake. I thought the trail from Culp Valley to the parking lot for the Maidenhair Falls trail went past the falls. But it appears the only way down is the CRHT which more or less parallels Hellhole Canyon and then ends up at the Maidenhair Falls parking lot. Is it possible to go from Culp Valley to the Maidenhair Falls and then hike from there to the parking lot? I've head that getting around the falls from the west end may not be possible -- too steep or something. Anyone know about this? edited by kylekai on 10/22/2013
11/3/2013 Topic: Best hiking sources? kylekai	I'm looking for recommended hiking sources for AB park, online or book. If online, preferably it can be read on an iPhone or iPad. I found this web site http://www.borregohiking.com which seems to have a lot of hikes and other info. Hard to read on an iPhone but otherwise seems useful. Anyone else have any suggestions? I'm always on the lookout for new hiking trails, but prefer trails that are under 6 hours hiking time. Thanks! Bill
11/4/2013 Topic: Best hiking sources? kylekai	Thanks Bob, I just ordered it. It looks like what I wanted. -Bill
12/5/2013 Topic: BorregoFest 2013 kylekai	Anyone here go on the BorregoFest 2013? Looks like fun: http://www.expeditionportal.com/trip-report/2568-borregofest-2013.html
1/21/2014 Topic: Illegal camping kylekai	Last weekend we decided to travel up Olla Wash. After exploring the Mud Palisades, we travelled down about a mile and saw a great spot to camp. It was off the road, over a berm, and onto a flat area. There was already a fire ring with some dried Yucca plants around for fire wood. And all illegal! As inviting as it was to camp there, we camped just off the road, right near the entrance to this illegal campsite. After dinner and a few beers, about 8PM, we hear someone drive up. I notice the driver walking around with a flashlight, along the illegal trail, to our truck camper. He knocks on the door, and tells me we're blocking his way into the illegal campsite, and could we move. Yeah, right. I said no, and he said he could probably drive around me. I then told him it was illegal to camp over there, and we got into a bit of an argument. I said it was against the park rules, and damages the environment. He scoffed and said something like the Jews in Germany were doing things against the law, was that illegal? Wow, great comparison. After a bit more arguing, my wife came out and asked the guy to leave, which he did. Anyone else ever have situations like this? I tried to destroy the illegal campfire and put some rocks over the trail to the site (that's when I took the pictures). Was I overreacting, or would you do the same? Location of where we camped: Looks better after I put some rocks over the access trail: I kicked the camp fire rocks and dead Yucca plants around to discourage further camping.
1/21/2014 Topic: Illegal camping kylekai	We were about a mile from the nearest other camper, and this guy wants to park 30 feet from us, besides illegally camping. Naw, he didn't ruin our trip, but I might have ruined his! edited by kylekai on 1/21/2014
1/24/2014 Topic: Illegal camping kylekai	dsefcik wrote: Over New Years someone actually drove right into the middle of the Morteros Village site and camped out. They moved many rocks to make a campfire against a cupule/mortero boulder and basically ruined it with soot and broken edges from throwing the rocks at at. They also got the vehicle stuck and dug out a huge midden area in the process. I wish there was something that could be done when that happens. I'd hate for the park to limit off-road camping due to a few idiots that vandalize the park. About 5 years ago while hiking around the north end of the park I saw some vehicles about 100 meters from the trail camping in an area that I was sure was off limits. At the end of the trial I saw a ranger and told her what I saw. She took a look for herself and reported back that they were illegally camped and destroyed a lot of vegetation in the process. Unfortunately they left by the time the ranger got there or she would have cited them. She asked what kind of car they had, etc., and if she saw them she'd approach them. At that time I wish I took a picture of the cars, as that would have helped her a lot. Now I carry my iPhone whenever I hike and take a picture of anything suspicious so I have something to show a ranger. The iPhone also geotags the images, so that helps in locating the area. When I was arguing with the person I mentioned in my first post, I told him if he camped in the illegal spot I would be taking a lot of pictures of him when he sets up camp. He didn't like hearing that and I think it helped get rid of him.
1/25/2014 Topic: Illegal camping kylekai	DHeuschele wrote: Not to be ignorant and definitely not to justify the fire pit, camping so close, being a ass, etc. but what made it an illegal camp spot.? Was it that they drove off road? That's a good question, and one reason why I made my original post here. I attributed it being illegal to several factors: illegal campfire (a rock fire circle), burning the local vegetation, and a nearby sign that said something like "vehicles must remain on the road." I know the park states that we should camp only in previously camped areas, and maybe one could argue that since someone drove off road, it's now legal? Or maybe it's like that that one congressperson, forgot his name, commenting on pornography, said something like "I can't describe it but I know it when I see it." To me the site looked illegal and illegally accessed. -Bill
2/17/2014 Topic: Blair Valley and Mud Caves with the Kids kylekai	When I click on your link I get "500 INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR Unable to process request."
5/24/2014 Topic: Post new product info? kylekai	Bob, I don't want to abuse the forum, so I thought I'd ask. Is it appropriate for me to post announcements of new iPhone or Mac apps I've developed that might be of interest to the forum? If so, which forum? Thanks.
5/24/2014 Topic: GPX Viewer for iPhone & iPad kylekai	I just developed an iPhone & iPad that may be of interest here. The app is called GPX-Viewer and it can import (from iTunes and Dropbox) and display GPX data. V1.0 is at the app store now, and v1.1 is on the way. Download GPX-Viewer here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gpx-viewer/id880510678?mt=8 Below is a sample screen shot from a GPX data file I downloaded from http://efmer.eu/trails/usa/ca/borrego/slot_canyon.html Comments welcome!
5/28/2014 Topic: Post new product info? kylekai	Great, thanks, just want to be sure. I posted to http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic800-gpx-viewer-for-iphone--ipad.aspx
5/28/2014 Topic: GPX Viewer for iPhone & iPad kylekai	I've been working on this a bit more with other GPX files and some of the 160 GPX files from http://www.borregohiking.com and they seem to work nicely. But I'm using version 1.2, while the app store still has version 1.0 (v1.1 has been submitted, but Apple is taking their time getting it to the app store). If anyone has any comments on this app, I'd love to hear them. If you purchased the app and want to try the latest beta, let me know that as well.
6/1/2014 Topic: McCain Valley kylekai	I haven't been up McCain Valley in a few years, and just this last weekend we went to Cottonwood campground at the top. It was sad to see the huge towers now dominating the landscape. Ugly and unnecessary. The campground was surprisingly empty; just us and one other group. Only $6 ($3 for me 'cause I'm old) with running water and all. Beautiful and peaceful. We took some hikes around the area and almost worse (in my opinion) than the power towers is the illegal off-roading over the obvious hiking and riding trails. All it takes is a few dirt bikes to tear up the trails, and that's what they did. Regardless, it's a great way to spend a weekend. Much quieter than the popular campgrounds up Sunrise highway.
6/1/2014 Topic: McCain Valley kylekai	This was obvious motorcycles. Does the border patrol use dirt bikes? I've seen them on ATVs, but not dirt bikes. It could be that last Memorial Day weekend brought out all the yahoos.
6/2/2014 Topic: McCain Valley kylekai	What does BP stand for? Seems as if the off-roaders were using many trails, official or not didn't seem to matter. I like to ride off-road but I would never ride in an area not meant for off-road use.
8/8/2014 Topic: NetStatus for iPhone & iPad kylekai	I just developed another app called NetStatus that may help you in your desert adventures. It's helped me! Feedback welcome. NetStatus alerts you when a network connection is lost or reestablished, for either WiFi or Cellular data. Imagine you’re driving or hiking in an area where there is no Internet service, and you want to know as soon as Internet service is available. You could randomly glance at the small cellular icon on your iPhone, but that’s dangerous if you’re driving, and you could miss a brief Internet connection period. Or you could have NetStatus alert you as soon as Internet service is available. Once you see the icon and wording change or hear the audible alert, you know you have Internet service available. NetStatus does not work in the background. It must be in the foreground to work correctly. To disable it from entering sleep (or locked) mode, enable the “Keep device from sleeping” switch. The device IP address is displayed at the bottom of the screen. More info: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=905458991&mt=8
9/2/2014 Topic: 2011 Hallmark Everest popup camper for sale kylekai	See http://modesittsoftware.com/Hallmark/Camper/Details.html for more info. Perfect for exploring the desert!
9/2/2014 Topic: 2011 Hallmark Everest popup camper for sale kylekai	I've given it a lot of thought, and my family has decided that a small travel trailer like the r-pod http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTrailers/rpodwest/default.aspx?model=rpodw&page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=5518&RVType=trailers will probably work better for us. The plan is to drive the trailer to a camping spot (like Blair Valley), drop it off, and then go out exploring with the truck. That's the plan, but plans change!
9/2/2014 Topic: 2011 Hallmark Everest popup camper for sale kylekai	I'm not sure about fish creek wash. I think the trailers may look stronger than they really are. Not near the build quality of the Hallmark. I just hope I don't regret selling the Hallmark!
9/13/2014 Topic: Sunrise Powerlink construction kills night skies kylekai	Looks like we might now get 500 kV transmission lines thru the park: http://tubbcanyondesertconservancy.org/index.html#transmissionlines
9/23/2014 Topic: GPX Viewer for iPhone & iPad kylekai	There's now a version of this app for the Mac computer: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=920631838&mt=12
11/20/2014 Topic: Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) kylekai	I just received this from the president of the Tubb canyon Desert Conservancy and I thought some here would find it interesting and relevant to the Anza Borrego desert: Dear Friends of Tubb Canyon, If you have not yet read about the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) (www.drecp.org) to place utility-scale electricity generating facilities on more than 2,000,000 acres of southern California desert and the attendant problems with this plan, please take 10 minutes to read the synopsis at www.tubbcanyondesertconservancy.org. The good news is the California Energy Commission has decided to extend the public review period for this 8000-page juggernaut by 6 weeks to February 23, 2015. The bad news is that is still not enough time for the public to weigh in. The review period should be 360 days. Once you have read the synopsis and are up to speed, please make your voice heard by sending your public comments to docket@energy.ca.gov. Make sure you put "DRECP NEPA/CEQA” in the subject line. The Tubb Canyon site provides suggestions as to comments you may want to make, or you may cut and paste from the attached letter. Please share this information with any and all friends who may care about preventing this looming ecological disaster. David PS: I have included a map of the DRECP's “preferred alternative” as it looks from the Borrego Springs perspective.
11/21/2014 Topic: Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) kylekai	Good point. But I got a second email, and it involves just signing a petition. Easy and may be effective: --------------------------------- Dear Friends, I have never used Moveon.org before, so this note to you represents another step into the digital age. Moveon.org claims it will be able to help us get the word out about the shortcomings of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan if just 10 people sign this petition. So, if you have a moment, please click on the link below and sign the petition. This feels a little like putting a note in a bottle and throwing it in the ocean. Well, here we go! The following is the body of the petition: More renewable energy is available from rooftop solar in San Diego and Los Angeles Counties than will be derived from the siting of utility-scale generating facilities on 2 million acres of desert habitat called for in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The unintended consequences of utility-scale facilities in the desert are becoming known and are unacceptable--dust storms in Lancaster, midair incineration of birds at Ivanpah, depletion of scarce groundwater in Borrego Springs. That's why I created a petition to Chris Beale, DRECP Acting Exec. Dir., Robert B. Weisenmiller, Chair, California Energy Commission, and Jerry Brown, Governor, California. Will you sign this petition? Click here: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-dont-have-to-sacrifice?source=c.em.mt&r_by=1516679 Many thanks
12/6/2014 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	The book Anza-Borrego Desert Region by Diana & Lowell Lindsay is great for exploring the park. Does anyone know if there are any GPS or GPX files showing the routes from the book? They would help a lot in exploring the trails and roads in the book.
12/6/2014 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	No, no particular place. It's just that viewing a GPX file loaded into my iPhone can show me if I'm on the right trail or road, or lost. Mostly a safety thing I guess. Yes, I got a trailer, and it's pretty nice. Spend the 4 day Thanksgiving weekend at Joshua Tree NP and it was great. Parked the trailer at the campground, go explore the park (without a 2,000 pound load in the truck), and then return to the trailer. Plus my teenage son keeps growing so the extra room is nice.
12/6/2014 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	As for the GPX files, I've downloaded a few from here: http://www.borregohiking.com and with them loaded in my iPhone they can assure me I'm on the correct trail. Just trying to expand my library of GPX files for the park!
12/7/2014 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	OK, thanks for looking!
1/4/2015 Topic: Let it snow! kylekai	Spent the first 4 days of 2015 camping at Aqua Caliente County Park and then exploring from there. Love the hot springs there: Decided to head towards Rainbow Valley, and passed Butterfield Ranch Resort along the way: Stopped at Blair Valley: Then hiked towards Rainbow Valley: My 14-year-old loved it: A great day hiking and exploring Anza Borrego State Park! -Bill
1/4/2015 Topic: Let it snow! kylekai	dsefcik wrote: Jim (ziphius) wrote: Cool snow! I'd never even heard of Rainbow Canyon until now. Sounds like there are lots of dry falls in that canyon from what I've just read. Any signs of standing water on your trip? He wrote Rainbow "Valley"....Rainbow Canyon is over near Box/Blair, I think Kylkai is referring to elsewhere, near Temecula I think.... Rainbow Canyon, sorry!
1/4/2015 Topic: Let it snow! kylekai	Yes, Rainbow Canyon, my mistake. Here's where it is: http://www.borregohiking.com/hiking/2014_felden_deposit-rainbow_canyon.html
1/4/2015 Topic: Let it snow! kylekai	Jim (ziphius) wrote: Cool snow! I'd never even heard of Rainbow Canyon until now. Sounds like there are lots of dry falls in that canyon from what I've just read. Any signs of standing water on your trip? Yes, lots of dry falls (or snow covered falls), but no standing water. The prior day we hiked up to Maidenhair Falls. No water coming down the falls, but on the way back to the car what little standing water there was on some rocks had turned to ice and there was frost on the ground!
2/22/2015 Topic: Help remove Sahara Mustard kylekai	When: 28 February 20159:00am to Noon Where: Henderson Canyon Road 3/4 mile east of Borrego Valley Road on the north side
9/1/2015 Topic: Drone use in the Park kylekai	I completely agree about prohibiting them. I go to the desert for the peace and quiet, as well as unspoiled vistas. I would get irritated as hell seeing and hearing drones out there. Around my house in San Diego I probably wouldn't care so much, as there's already a lot of noise and aircraft around. But the desert is my sanctuary.
12/11/2015 Topic: Drone use in the Park kylekai	Does this look like the air shots were taken with a drone? I think I can see the operator at about 40 seconds into it. https://youtu.be/ljSsogtMiDg
12/13/2015 Topic: Drone use in the Park kylekai	I noticed on page 6 of the 2016 AB State Park newsletter it states: The operation of powered unmanned aircraft, including drones, is prohibited in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/park%20magazine%202016_finalweb.pdf
1/25/2016 Topic: San Diego Backcountry & Anza-Borrego Desert map kylekai	The San Diego Backcountry & Anza-Borrego Desert map has been updated and ready for your smart phone: https://www.pdf-maps.com/maps/75472/san-diego-backcountry-anza-borrego-desert/ Pretty nice map! -Bill edited by kylekai on 1/25/2016
1/25/2016 Topic: San Diego Backcountry & Anza-Borrego Desert map kylekai	Sorry. The map can be used by the free app from Avenza. There's a similar post here on the app: http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/Forum/topic971-new-free-blm-routes-of-travel-map-app.aspx
8/26/2016 Topic: Adventure passes take a hit in court kylekai	Did you know that a National Park Service (NPS) annual pass can be used in lieu of the Adventure Pass? I just asked the Cleveland National Forest thru their website if I could use my NPS Senior pass in lieu of the Adventure Pass, and they said "Yes, just display your pass with signature facing windshield and hanging on your rearview mirror when required to display your pass." Probably any NPS pass works in lieu of the Adventure Pass.
8/27/2016 Topic: Adventure passes take a hit in court kylekai	I just called it a NPS pass, but I think it is an interagency pass as you said.
1/10/2017 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	Well I finally decided to make my own iOS ABSP hiking app. It's in development now, but here's how it looks so far: http://modesittsoftware.com/Hikes/. The app will contain TOPO maps of the area, so you'll be able to view the maps offline. I've obtained permission from Modern Hiker http://www.modernhiker.com/area-maps/anza-borrego-desert-state-park/ to include their hikes in the app. If anyone has any GPX files of hikes they've taken in ABSP and would like to see them in the app, let me know. The GPX file can include a link back to the contributor's site if desired. I'll probably charge a few dollars for the app in the App Store to cover development costs. Comments welcome!
1/10/2017 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	tekewin wrote: There are a lot of GPX files for ABSP peaks at peakbagger.com. I upload all of my GPX files there for others to use. Great! Except I could not find any reference at peakbagger.com to download GPX files. There's a help topic on how to upload GPX files, but nothing about accessing or downloading them. Maybe I missed it; I'll keep looking. Thank you!
1/10/2017 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	tekewin wrote: There are a lot of GPX files for ABSP peaks at peakbagger.com. I upload all of my GPX files there for others to use. OK, found some GPX files. How would I recognize your files? I don't want to use a GPX file unless I have permission. Thanks! edited by kylekai on 1/10/2017
1/10/2017 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	Great, thank you!
2/6/2017 Topic: Anza-Borrego Desert Region GPX files? kylekai	The app is now at iTunes, 286 trails in and around ABSP: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anza-borrego-state-park-trails/id1202433999?ls=1&mt=8
12/11/2017 Topic: Road to Mt Palm Springs primitive camp kylekai	Has anyone been on the road to Mountain Palm Springs camp? The web site https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638 says it's very sandy and 4X4 only. I wanted to take my RPOD trailer there towards the end of the this month. Is the road really that bad?
12/11/2017 Topic: Road to Mt Palm Springs primitive camp kylekai	OK, thanks. The road to Bow Willow campground is open to 2WD so may just go there.
12/13/2017 Topic: Road to Mt Palm Springs primitive camp kylekai	Great, thanks for the update!
12/26/2017 Topic: Your Go To AB Book? kylekai	If you have an iPhone or iPad, there's my $2 app called Anza-Borrego State Park Trails: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/anza-borrego-state-park-trails/id1202433999?mt=8 It contains offline maps so can be used without an Internet connection.
12/26/2017 Topic: Winnebago Revel kylekai	Selling my truck and RPOD trailer once I get this in Jan or Feb 2018: https://winnebagoind.com/products/class-b/2018/revel/overview. Looking forward to exploring the backcountry with this! First mod will be Black Rhino Warlord wheels with BFG KO2 tires.
1/8/2018 Topic: Winnebago Revel kylekai	Actually that looks like a Sportsmobile: https://sportsmobile.com They're more expensive usually, and there's a 12+ month wait to get one!
1/27/2018 Topic: Drone use in the Park kylekai	I continue to see drone use videos at YouTube. I add a comment about drones being illegal at the park, but is there much else that can be done when I see these videos? Ironically I was pointed to one from the SoCal Off Road Recovery FaceBook page that was referred to me somewhere on this forum: https://youtu.be/1WKfqw_w_-0 Nice video, but I'd hate to hear that thing buzzing around me if I was there.
4/17/2018 Topic: Exploring Coyote Canyon w/o 4wd or High Clearance kylekai	Anyone know how the road to sheep canyon campground is now?
11/1/2018 Topic: Not enough rangers kylekai	ziphius wrote: Sad story and true. And people complain if you impose some small park fee to raise money to help pay for rangers etc. edited by ziphius on 6/17/2018 Their web site mentions a $10 entrance fee collected at the visitor center. I was recently at Death Valley NP, and they had kiosks set up at the park entrances to collect entrance fees. Seems as if similar kiosks at ABSP would be a small investment for a larger return to hire more rangers.
11/4/2018 Topic: Sheep Canyon campground road conditions? kylekai	Thinking of heading to Sheep Canyon campground next week. Anyone know anything about the road conditions to the campground?

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