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9/2/2010 6:38:18 AM
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topic:
It's time
dsefcik
Posts 26
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I have never been out to Whale Peak, that looks like a great place.
I really want to backpack the entire Carrizo Gorge and also out to peak 6582. I am thinking some time between now and Thanksgiving. Anybody else interested?
I just got back from a 9 day trip in Death Valley, hiked around and saw lots of really cool stuff, avg temps were around 120 most of the time.
Daren
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8/29/2010 7:23:28 PM
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topic:
It's time
hikerdmb
Posts 60
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First post in a while... but with the temps in Borrego Springs in the low 90s this weekend I know it is getting close to time to go out for a hike. I did make it out there twice this summer, once for a round of golf in July and once for a weekend hanging out at the pool at the Borrego Springs Resort in early August, but no backpacking or camping in the desert since spring. I spent the summer hiking lots of miles around Daley Ranch and around the reservoir above Elfin Forest as well as three great trips to the Mighty Sierra . But I am ready for the desert!
Oh sure its going to be hot again out there for another month or more but I still am ready. I am definitely backpacking up to Whale Peak this fall. I didn't make it there last year but it is tops on my list for this year. Hiking up through the Pinyon Pines and through all those small valleys is amazing, not to mention the view from the top. I remember one Sunday morning we were sitting on the large rocks on the western edge of the summit and got buzzed by a couple of Navy jets screaming up from the valley below. So close you could see the pilots' heads. Very loud but very cool. I have slept up there in the snow, in the rain, in the wind, in temps below 20 degrees, solo without another soul in sight a couple of times, but I've also had to share the summit with several people. It doesn't matter, it is still by favorite backpack trip in ABDSP.
This is a sunrise pic of our campsites from a few years back. It is not my favorite place to stay up there but it is alright.
Here is the sign that is on top. It used to be in one piece but over the years it has been deteriorating. I wonder if it is still there.
Anyone else ready? Got trips planned? I can't be the only one.
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7/24/2010 9:06:06 PM
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topic:
Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley
quidditian
Posts 41
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Beautiful pics! Love the second one of the laughing man rock. If you haven't yet identified what kind of snake that was, I vote for "Myocardial Infarction Snake"...he's definitely in the Soiled Panties family.
I wonder what demise the little deer met -- seems like a cat or coyote would've eaten more...and/or the vultures would've picked him clean. Maybe there wasn't enough meat to bother with on his little limbs...looks like they completely gobbled up the torso. Poop little guy.
Heading over to your blog for full report. I'm so used to facebook, I miss being able to hit the "like" button under pics.
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6/29/2010 11:01:04 AM
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topic:
Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley
dsefcik
Posts 26
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I think the total was around 10-11 miles. I would consider it an easy hike, mostly sandy trail with some boulder climbing to get up to the peak but not much. It took us around 7 hours total and we explored around a bit, no hurry at all. All of the boulders out there are really cool!
surfponto wrote:
Hey Daren, What is the distance on that hike? From the Google Earth shot it looks far :-) Bob
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6/29/2010 10:38:22 AM
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topic:
Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley
surfponto
Posts 112
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Hey Daren,
What is the distance on that hike?
From the Google Earth shot it looks far :-)
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
I hiked out with a friend of mine on 6-12-2010 to Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley. It was a great hike, perfect weather and not a soul in sight. I really liked this trip as it saved a few hours of driving by starting in McCain valley instead of dropping down into the desert floor. We camped out overnight and explored the Sawtooth Mtn range the following day. A complete report can be read on my website with more pictures. http://www.sefcik.com/index.php/2010/06/19/sombrero-peak-via-mccain-valley-hike/The trip from Google Earth  An interesting rock face along the trail  Young deer we found at the bottom of peak 4553  View of Anza Borrego from the top of Sombrero Peak  Anybody know what kind of snake this is? California glossy snake??  Daren edited by dsefcik on 6/19/2010 edited by dsefcik on 6/19/2010 |
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6/29/2010 9:33:04 AM
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topic:
Indian Hill 06-21-2010 Trip Report
dsefcik
Posts 26
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Just an update, I went back out yesterday (Monday the 28th) and found the cave and more morteros and Yoni carvings. The cave is tricky to find even after looking at all of the pictures on the Internet. With temps around 105 degrees during the day the cave was remarkably cool and breezy, that was the best spot to be in all day. The paintings are faded but still visible, I think even more interesting is all of the Yoni carvings, they are everywhere once you realize what you are looking at. Jack rabbits and all kinds of lizards were out, still no rattlesnakes though. Again, I was the only sole out there.
Daren
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6/23/2010 9:50:57 AM
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topic:
Indian Hill 06-21-2010 Trip Report
surfponto
Posts 112
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Hey Daren,
Awesome trip report. You were really close to the pictographs.
95' is not too bad. Mary and I may do a trip out on July 1-2 if I can convince her she won't get cooked out there.
I still want to hike out to those palms in Carrizo Gorge off to the right.
If you do Indian Hill again let me know. There is also a cool old railroad construction camp near by.
Journey to the Railroad Construction Camp in Anza Borrego
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6/22/2010 9:25:37 PM
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topic:
Indian Hill 06-21-2010 Trip Report
dsefcik
Posts 26
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Full trip report with pictures here: http://www.sefcik.com/index.php/2010/06/22/indian-hill-06-21-2010/
I had heard about some rock art that was out near Indian Hill so I decided to try and find it. I will admit I did not do much homework before I left, I just saw Indian Hill on my topo map and figured I would find it if I hiked around enough. I had expected and prepared for triple digit temperatures, packing 6 liters of water and some salty snacks in my pack. I also expected and planned for rattlesnakes, bringing my new hiking stick and careful walking technique. I have seen snakes every trip out this season and expected the same for this trip.
I have never been out to Indian Hill or the Dos Cabezas area so I used a Jerry Schads guide to follow the road out. It was bumpy but easy in my 4×4 truck. There was one section right after Dos Cabezas siding that looked as though it suffered from the recent rains, I don’t think a passenger car would have made it past that point.
I got a late start being Monday and all, I worked thru the morning and then headed out around noon and arrived at the end of Dos Cabezas around 1:30. The temps were in the low to mid 90′s and I don’t think it ever got above 95 degrees so it was a mild day for me. I hiked out thru the alluvial wash towards Indian Hill.
Not sure where the pictographs were exactly I started looking at every hill out there. After 3 hours and lots of boulder climbing I realized I was not going to find any rock art. The whole time I was thinking why would anyone now or 6000 years ago climb way up these boulders to draw on rocks..?? I knew I was looking in the wrong place. It was getting late and I decided instead to focus on all of the other really cool things about being in the desert, the beautiful landscape, the solitude, the catclaw stuck in my legs….
It was getting late, almost 5pm and I figured it was time to start heading back to make sure I got out of there before dark and have some spare time just in case I had a flat or some other emergency. When I explore alone out in the back country I tend to be over cautious. I figure I would swing around one last clump of boulders and beeline straight back to the truck. I found a pretty cool cave and then saw some morteros. I thought maybe I was close…
Some of the morteros showed obvious signs of indian occupation and there were lots of Yoni carvings. I kept looking around but did not find the pictographs, they alluded me this visit. I needed to head back to the truck by this point as it was 5:30 and I still had a good 45 minute walk to the truck and another 45 minutes or so of driving dirt road to get to the highway.
When I got home I did more research on the rock art and after looking at several photographs from other sites I realized I was right on it but somehow missed it. I will definitly go back out and spend more time looking not just for the cave but also at all of the other incredible things in that area of the desert.
A few of things for this trip out, I did not see anyone else out there except for a lone border patrol officer exiting the dirt road when I arrived. The (2) water containers I looked in were empty and looked run down, like they had not been restocked in some time. No rattlesnakes..wow! I guess during the heat of the day they take shelter in whatever shade they can find. I did see signs of illegals travleing thru the area, faded water jugs, food cans, faded clothing, etc. I saw very little signs of animal scat except near the “really nice cave” where there were heavy concentrations of cat scat. I saw at least 10 large jack rabbits and the washes were full of rabbit and other small animal tracks. I did not see large animal tracks though, just a few small deer tracks.
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6/19/2010 1:06:12 PM
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topic:
Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley
dsefcik
Posts 26
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I hiked out with a friend of mine on 6-12-2010 to Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley. It was a great hike, perfect weather and not a soul in sight. I really liked this trip as it saved a few hours of driving by starting in McCain valley instead of dropping down into the desert floor. We camped out overnight and explored the Sawtooth Mtn range the following day. A complete report can be read on my website with more pictures.
http://www.sefcik.com/index.php/2010/06/19/sombrero-peak-via-mccain-valley-hike/
The trip from Google Earth
An interesting rock face along the trail
Young deer we found at the bottom of peak 4553
View of Anza Borrego from the top of Sombrero Peak
Anybody know what kind of snake this is? California glossy snake??
Daren
edited by dsefcik on 6/19/2010
edited by dsefcik on 6/19/2010
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6/7/2010 9:50:04 PM
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topic:
First fumbling pass at experiencing Anza Borrego
dsefcik
Posts 26
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Reading your post made my day, it was very entertaining..I like your writing. Sorry to hear about the bum disc, hope you recover well.
I will say though..you have the coolest name ever!
Daren
quidditian wrote:
Thanks Daren! I'm glad you endured/appreciated the rambling. :] I've been out of pocket the last couple of months...finally had an MRI on Friday, and results came in today that I have a large herniated disc. I've been walking at a 90 degree angle for the last two months (pretty pretty), so glad to finally identify the problem. But alas, I'm ****ed I've been locked up inside for a couple of the prettiest months of the year...even my easel has sat barren, collecting cobwebs (an appropriate metaphor for my decrepit state of decay). Probably could have made one more foray out to the desert since it's been relatively temperate this year, but now I'm definitely not going to be making any adventures out there until the weather is less evil...and when I'm not walking like Australopithecus. I know, I know. I'm a little ray of sunshine. I need to get updated on y'alls recent posts -- it'll give me inspiration to become mobile again. To your point, Daren -- when I do go back, I doubt I'll take my silly little car...it's vehicularly debilitating...my sis has said I can borrow her big 'ol honkin' truck for the next trip. Or maybe I'll get something like this...  Or, in case embedding the pic didn't work (since I'm technologically challenged): http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/Museums/Kenosha/Tanks/Tank.jpg
edited by surfponto on 6/15/2010
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6/7/2010 6:48:14 PM
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topic:
First fumbling pass at experiencing Anza Borrego
quidditian
Posts 41
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Thanks Daren! I'm glad you endured/appreciated the rambling. :]
I've been out of pocket the last couple of months...finally had an MRI on Friday, and results came in today that I have a large herniated disc. I've been walking at a 90 degree angle for the last two months (pretty pretty), so glad to finally identify the problem. But alas, I'm ****ed I've been locked up inside for a couple of the prettiest months of the year...even my easel has sat barren, collecting cobwebs (an appropriate metaphor for my decrepit state of decay). Probably could have made one more foray out to the desert since it's been relatively temperate this year, but now I'm definitely not going to be making any adventures out there until the weather is less evil...and when I'm not walking like Australopithecus.
I know, I know. I'm a little ray of sunshine.
I need to get updated on y'alls recent posts -- it'll give me inspiration to become mobile again.
To your point, Daren -- when I do go back, I doubt I'll take my silly little car...it's vehicularly debilitating...my sis has said I can borrow her big 'ol honkin' truck for the next trip. Or maybe I'll get something like this...
 http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/Museums/Kenosha/Tanks/Tank.jpg" border="0">
Or, in case embedding the pic didn't work (since I'm technologically challenged): http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/Museums/Kenosha/Tanks/Tank.jpg
edited by surfponto on 6/15/2010
edited by surfponto on 6/15/2010
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6/7/2010 8:53:59 AM
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topic:
First fumbling pass at experiencing Anza Borrego
surfponto
Posts 112
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dsefcik wrote:
That was a great writeup, I enjoyed reading it. If you do decide to visit in the 110+ heat, make sure your car can also handle it. When the desert heats up most people stay away. I have been out there on those days and in places where there would normally be crowds it is completely empty. Don't forget water, lots of it!
I second what Daren said.
Water and lots of it.
Summer is an interesting time to head out to Borrego. Complete solitude.
I guess it is not for everyone :-)
Bob
edited by surfponto on 6/7/2010
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6/7/2010 8:33:12 AM
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topic:
First fumbling pass at experiencing Anza Borrego
dsefcik
Posts 26
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That was a great writeup, I enjoyed reading it. If you do decide to visit in the 110+ heat, make sure your car can also handle it. When the desert heats up most people stay away. I have been out there on those days and in places where there would normally be crowds it is completely empty. Don't forget water, lots of it!
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5/10/2010 9:37:19 AM
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topic:
Carrizo Gorge East Fork to Carrizo Palms
surfponto
Posts 112
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Cool.
Looks like the 16th may be good.
I will see how this week goes.
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
The 15th or 16th? I can do that..let me know. surfponto wrote: I would like to spend some time in there exploring the rock caves in Carrizo Gorge I think there is alot of stuff to see. I would also like to hike up to that Palm Grove off to the right that we saw from ontop of the tracks. This weekend isn't looking good but maybe next weekend. Bob dsefcik wrote: hikerdmb wrote: Daren,
In pic 28 is that a rail car coming up the tracks? It looks like the lights are on. Did they stop you for being on the tracks? That looks like a great hike. Getting your Dodge up that trail must have been pretty tight in some spots. I love the view looking down from the trestle.
David Ah..yes...pic #28...I actually did not mean to include that one... http://www.cgrp.uspsych.... Lets just say we saw some adventurous souls out there on the tracks and they were not on mountain bikes. Never did see who they really were, that was the only picture I was able to get before they were gone. The Dodge made it no problem but it did suffer a lot of scratches from the brush, in fact my son made a remark when I got home that I ruined the paint on my new truck. I'll take it again, that's what I bought it for. I was just thinking today I would like to go out again and spend the day exploring the rock caves..anybody interested? Daren |
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5/7/2010 12:30:47 PM
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topic:
Carrizo Gorge East Fork to Carrizo Palms
dsefcik
Posts 26
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The 15th or 16th? I can do that..let me know.
surfponto wrote:
I would like to spend some time in there exploring the rock caves in Carrizo Gorge I think there is alot of stuff to see. I would also like to hike up to that Palm Grove off to the right that we saw from ontop of the tracks. This weekend isn't looking good but maybe next weekend. Bob dsefcik wrote: hikerdmb wrote: Daren,
In pic 28 is that a rail car coming up the tracks? It looks like the lights are on. Did they stop you for being on the tracks? That looks like a great hike. Getting your Dodge up that trail must have been pretty tight in some spots. I love the view looking down from the trestle.
David Ah..yes...pic #28...I actually did not mean to include that one... http://www.cgrp.uspsych.... Lets just say we saw some adventurous souls out there on the tracks and they were not on mountain bikes. Never did see who they really were, that was the only picture I was able to get before they were gone. The Dodge made it no problem but it did suffer a lot of scratches from the brush, in fact my son made a remark when I got home that I ruined the paint on my new truck. I'll take it again, that's what I bought it for. I was just thinking today I would like to go out again and spend the day exploring the rock caves..anybody interested? Daren |
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5/7/2010 12:29:12 PM
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topic:
Peak 6582
dsefcik
Posts 26
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How about May 21,22 & 23rd?
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5/5/2010 11:26:12 AM
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topic:
Carrizo Gorge East Fork to Carrizo Palms
surfponto
Posts 112
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I would like to spend some time in there exploring the rock caves in Carrizo Gorge
I think there is alot of stuff to see.
I would also like to hike up to that Palm Grove off to the right that we saw from ontop of the tracks.
This weekend isn't looking good but maybe next weekend.
Bob
dsefcik wrote:
hikerdmb wrote: Daren,
In pic 28 is that a rail car coming up the tracks? It looks like the lights are on. Did they stop you for being on the tracks? That looks like a great hike. Getting your Dodge up that trail must have been pretty tight in some spots. I love the view looking down from the trestle.
David Ah..yes...pic #28...I actually did not mean to include that one... http://www.cgrp.uspsych.... Lets just say we saw some adventurous souls out there on the tracks and they were not on mountain bikes. Never did see who they really were, that was the only picture I was able to get before they were gone. The Dodge made it no problem but it did suffer a lot of scratches from the brush, in fact my son made a remark when I got home that I ruined the paint on my new truck. I'll take it again, that's what I bought it for. I was just thinking today I would like to go out again and spend the day exploring the rock caves..anybody interested? Daren
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5/5/2010 7:55:30 AM
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topic:
Carrizo Gorge East Fork to Carrizo Palms
hikerdmb
Posts 60
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Daren,
Now that I look closer I can see what you mean. Very adventerous indeed! Maybe 2 adventerous souls? I would love to hear the story.
David
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5/4/2010 8:47:17 PM
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topic:
Peak 6582
surfponto
Posts 112
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I would be interested depending on the date.I like option one also.
The terrain looks similar to when Mary and I bushwhacked up Sombrero Peak
Bob
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5/4/2010 8:45:19 PM
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topic:
Carrizo Gorge East Fork to Carrizo Palms
surfponto
Posts 112
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Yeah Chrome tends to break alot of my stuff 
dsefcik wrote:
surfponto wrote:
I have been looking at the Google Maps and I see a good route up through the East Fork to the tracks also. :-)
Maybe for another time
I saw that also, my #2 route from Sacatone is also a good route I believe and saves tons of driving time. surfponto wrote: Doesn't work on Linux with Chrome..8->
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