Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: FrankB on October 22, 2008, 11:33:28 PM
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Thought we might get the November run posted up early:
Fish Creek and Sandstone Canyon - Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Saturday, November 22nd
Meet Time / Spot: 10:00AM at the Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Fish Creek is a little over 12 miles of flat sandy wash, with lots of interesting geology along the way. Sandstone Canyon is another 2+ miles, but very narrow and twisty in places, with high rock walls. There may be some optional rocks to play on towards the back of Sandstone. We'll come back out the same way, total off-road miles should be about 25.
This trail should be stock friendly, but 4WD is recommended due to sandy spots. I'll check with the park rangers as we get closer to the date for current conditions. We'll find a shady spot for lunch in Sandstone Canyon, then stop for a hike to the Wind Caves on the way back out. Plan for all day.
For anyone who wants to camp, the Fish Creek Primitive Camp is located 1.4 miles up Fish Creek from the start of the trail. There is a vault toilet there, and marked spaces, but little else. We'll pass right by there in both directions; if anyone wants to camp Friday night let me know in advance so we can meet up there in the morning as we pass by.
If anyone coming from the San Diego area wants to caravan out there let me know in advance, and meet at my house (east of I-15 off Scripps Poway Parkway) ready to roll at 8:00AM. I'm allowing enough time for a stop at the Julian Pie Company bakery in Santa Ysabel to pick up some fresh apple pie to go with lunch.
References:
Wells: Guide to So. Calif. Backroads & 4WD Trails - #55, pp 198-199
Huegel: California Desert Byways - #51, pp. 156-157
Massey: Backcountry Adventures So. Calif. - South Coast #30, pp. 383-385
GPS (put these in Google Earth to see the whole route, and most Garmins should show these as dirt roads):
Start of Fish Creek Wash, off Split Mountain Road: N33 02.326, W116 05.812
Mouth of Sandstone Canyon, from Fish Creek Wash: N32 59.228, W116 13.202
End of Sandstone Canyon (approximate): N33 00.269, W116 14.601
Comm:
FRS Channel 11, sub-code 24
CB Channel 24
Please post any comments, suggestions or questions.
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I'm in.
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I'd like to make it as well, camp out and what-not.
Mitch, you'll be up for driving then, yes? Or do I have to swing by your place and get you a beach chair on the roof rack?
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Im in as well.
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I'd like to make it as well, camp out and what-not.
Mitch, you'll be up for driving then, yes? Or do I have to swing by your place and get you a beach chair on the roof rack?
Sweet! Just like Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies! It's a dream come true. Get my shotgun boy!
Yes, I should be up for driving by then. If not, Mary can drive.
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Woo hoo! :D
We'll be there.
Trixie the Wonderdog, Noon, and their driver, Paul.
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(http://lh6.ggpht.com/annamariagallagher/RkDe2sljQ3I/AAAAAAAAACM/gIyMpwdlXY4/s576/Louisburgh%20May%20Bank%20Holiday%20071.jpg)
...I'm playing hard to get. But I know I want to. :P
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Fred, you've changed.
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I'd like to make it as well, camp out and what-not.
Mitch, you'll be up for driving then, yes? Or do I have to swing by your place and get you a beach chair on the roof rack?
Sweet! Just like Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies! It's a dream come true. Get my shotgun boy!
I was picturing something more like Aunt Edna on top of the Griswold's Family Truckster.
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Bobby, I may be going and would probably want to camp because it's a long day trip for me.
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Fred, you've changed.
2 tall glasses of straight vodka (with lime) and a clingy sister did it for me... :P
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From last November's trip.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/FishCanyon06.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/FishCanyon05.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/FishCanyon04.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/8XterrasBigger.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/OntheTrail.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/CampSiteToo.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/MudTrail.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Anza%20Fish%20Creek/ShrockingPaul.jpg)
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Just so everyone knows, our route for this run will not go anywhere near that smelly mud bog that you see in Paul's picture (Carrizo Creek, off Hwy S-2, near Arroyo Seco del Diablo). Personally, you won't catch me there again. It took almost 2 weeks to get rid of the smell of that mud from my X the last time. I still can't believe how bad that place smelled.
Paul, on that run you entered Fish Creek several miles in from where we'll start, you came in from the Diablo Drop-Off. We'll be coming in from Split Mountain Road, and going back out the same way.
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Count me in. I don't know if I'll be bringing a new date or not....Count in some Steaks too!
Mark
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The Diablo Drop-Off looked really challenging going up. Going down after dark was no easy trip either! Going up there's a big patch of loose "sugar sand" that is deep, long, and pitched at a pretty good angle. We watched a bunch of trucks - Range Rovers IIRC - struggling to get their last couple of trucks up.
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The Diablo Drop-Off looked really challenging going up. Going down after dark was no easy trip either! Going up there's a big patch of loose "sugar sand" that is deep, long, and pitched at a pretty good angle. We watched a bunch of trucks - Range Rovers IIRC - struggling to get their last couple of trucks up.
The State Park maps and the guide books all consider Diablo Drop-Off a one-way trail, downhill towards Fish Creek.
Who is thinking of camping? There are several options, and I may be up for camping as well. Keep in mind that inside the State Park boundaries you must have any fire in a metal container, no ground fires allowed. You can, however, camp pretty much anywhere as long as it's not on a trail and at least 100' from any water. Pack out all trash, of course.
Fish Creek is pretty wide most of the way, and there are spots along the way that look like they would be good. Some of them look like we could get quite a few trucks in. Sandstone Canyon gets really narrow. Most of the spots I've seen back there would be good for only 2 to 3 trucks, and then not that far apart. It's hard to say how crowded it will be, last year there were a lot of people, and we spotted more than a few campers. The whole area is rather active seismically, so you'll want to avoid parking under any cliffs or rock walls. Ask Jason how much a new rear hatch glass costs.
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We'd camp like always, I've got hours I need to use or lose prior to January so I'd likely make it a three day/two night event coming down Friday and returning Sunday following the run.
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We'd camp like always, I've got hours I need to use or lose prior to January so I'd likely make it a three day/two night event coming down Friday and returning Sunday following the run.
Paul, If you (or anyone else) camps Friday night in or near Fish Creek let me know ahead of time and we can just meet you out there, save yourself a drive all the way back to the Visitor's Center on Saturday morning.
Also, if someone has an idea for a more challenging run on Sunday, and wants to lead it, that might provide some variety for those who might find Fish Creek a bit tame (it is a very easy trail). The Ocotillo Wells OHV Area is just across Hwy 78 from where we'll turn on Split Mountain Road, so it's pretty close.
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Hi,
Count me in as a strong maybe! I need to get my monthly quote of wheeling. ;D Any chance of trying diablo drop-off?
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Hi,
Count me in as a strong maybe! I need to get my monthly quote of wheeling. ;D Any chance of trying diablo drop-off?
Diablo is one-way the other direction (you would be headed up hill if you went from Fish Creek). We'll be heading into Fish Creek from Split Mountain Road. But, if you wanted to, you could head straight for Hwy S-2, through Arroyo Seco del Diablo, down the drop-off and try to meet up with us in Fish Creek. I'm not sure how long it would take, or where we would be when you hit Fish Creek Wash, though.
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Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
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Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
Don, we look forward to having you and your wife along on this run.
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Hello everyone. I know it's been a while since I have posted. I may join all of you on this run. I am not sure if I will be in a conference at that time but if I am not I will make it for sure. My son may come with me also. I have to test the New X out.
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Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
No mud flaps or step rails allowed. :P
Glad to hear you're coming. The Xterra is an amazing truck and I hope you take advantage of it's abilities to see the wonder and beauty that is our state. We can get to places that you can't otherwise get too. Going beyond the edges allows you to see things that most will never see.
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If I can find my hacksaw I will remove them tonight.
Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
No mud flaps or step rails allowed. :P
Glad to hear you're coming. The Xterra is an amazing truck and I hope you take advantage of it's abilities to see the wonder and beauty that is our state. We can get to places that you can't otherwise get too. Going beyond the edges allows you to see things that most will never see.
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If I can find my hacksaw I will remove them tonight.Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
No mud flaps or step rails allowed. :P
Glad to hear you're coming. The Xterra is an amazing truck and I hope you take advantage of it's abilities to see the wonder and beauty that is our state. We can get to places that you can't otherwise get too. Going beyond the edges allows you to see things that most will never see.
On this trip you shouldn't have to worry about them. On some of the others they can cause problems.
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If I can find my hacksaw I will remove them tonight.Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
No mud flaps or step rails allowed. :P
Glad to hear you're coming. The Xterra is an amazing truck and I hope you take advantage of it's abilities to see the wonder and beauty that is our state. We can get to places that you can't otherwise get too. Going beyond the edges allows you to see things that most will never see.
On this trip you shouldn't have to worry about them. On some of the others they can cause problems.
Mitch is right, should be no problems on this run, unless there has been a major change in trail. Step rails and mud flaps come off pretty quickly, if needed we can do that on the trail (or when you're not looking in camp ;D).
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If I can find my hacksaw I will remove them tonight.Hello Everyone, my wife and I would like to join in on this trip. We will not be camping but will meet up on Sat. morning. This will be our first off road adventure since buying the X in May. This sounds like a good trip for beginners. Look forward to meeting you guys.
Don
No mud flaps or step rails allowed. :P
Glad to hear you're coming. The Xterra is an amazing truck and I hope you take advantage of it's abilities to see the wonder and beauty that is our state. We can get to places that you can't otherwise get too. Going beyond the edges allows you to see things that most will never see.
On this trip you shouldn't have to worry about them. On some of the others they can cause problems.
Mitch is right, should be no problems on this run, unless there has been a major change in trail. Step rails and mud flaps come off pretty quickly, if needed we can do that on the trail (or when you're not looking in camp ;D).
I saw John take his mudflaps off pretty quickly and he didn't even use tools! Just need a short trip around the hills near Calico.
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I took all that crap off as soon as I brought it home and I put all of my skids that I was able to take off of my stolen X. Remember me guys I had the black xterra SE. Anywho has any one heard from John? It has been a while since I seen him post.
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I am back, plan to go on this trip and see everyone, the X is fine and I will be bringing a co-pilot/navigator.
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I am back, plan to go on this trip and see everyone, the X is fine and I will be bringing a co-pilot/navigator.
Welcome back John. A few of us were getting close to coming to look for you.
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I am back, plan to go on this trip and see everyone, the X is fine and I will be bringing a co-pilot/navigator.
A co-pilot you say, very interresting.
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I will be bringing a co-pilot/navigator.
This explain you being AWOL?
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Hi Oz !
Are you coming along on this run?
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Hi Oz !
Are you coming along on this run?
Hi Frank!
Yeah Jesse and I are discussing the possibility dropping in from Diablo Drop off early then meeting you guys along Fish Creek somewheres
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Welcome back John. I look forward to seeing you on the next run.
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Hi Oz !
Are you coming along on this run?
Hi Frank!
Yeah Jesse and I are discussing the possibility dropping in from Diablo Drop off early then meeting you guys along Fish Creek somewheres
Oz and Jesse, if you guys are thinking of coming in from Diablo you may want to skip the meet at the Visitor Center, and meet up someplace out around Hwy S-2 instead. It might save you a lot of driving and might make it easier for you to be at that point in Fish Creek at about the same time we are. You could meet at that campsite at Blair Valley where we met once before (you probably will remember it as the one where you could not find your keys ;D).
Either way, it's been a while, looking forward to seeing you.
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I am back, plan to go on this trip and see everyone, the X is fine and I will be bringing a co-pilot/navigator.
Pictures or it didn't happen! :o
Glad you're going to make this one.
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Either way, it's been a while, looking forward to seeing you.
Likewise Frank
we're gunna try to get Jesse's dif together by then
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Great to hear from you again John. i should be able to make this run also I will know next week for sure.
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This seems like its going to be a great run. It's good when a lot of people are able to go that you haven't seen in a while. Welcome back John. See you on the 22nd.
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Thanks guys -looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back in the saddle(off roading) I have been awol on call backs and e-mails too so apologies in advance to my good friends and travel buddies.
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Thanks guys -looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back in the saddle(off roading) I have been awol on call backs and e-mails too so apologies in advance to my good friends and travel buddies.
....to my good friends and travel buddies.
Um... you forgot "lovers!" Haha! J/K! Good to hear from you Sturndawg!
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Thanks guys -looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back in the saddle(off roading) I have been awol on call backs and e-mails too so apologies in advance to my good friends and travel buddies.
....to my good friends and travel buddies.
Um... you forgot "lovers!" Haha! J/K! Good to hear from you Sturndawg!
Fred, I thought what happened in Nevada stayed in Nevada . . . oh, wait, you're probably talking about something else. (Not that I really even know what that is.)
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Thanks guys -looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back in the saddle(off roading) I have been awol on call backs and e-mails too so apologies in advance to my good friends and travel buddies.
....to my good friends and travel buddies.
Um... you forgot "lovers!" Haha! J/K! Good to hear from you Sturndawg!
I didn't go to the WCM so I don't know what you had going on but it certainly gives "Johnson" Valley a whole new meaning.
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Geez i think im gonig to have to reconsider gonig on this trip if this is whats going to be happening. Come on guys im a kid. Your supposed to be role models :P
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I think i am in for a day trip
can someone post a contact number
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Chad, I've sent you a PM with my cell phone number.
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The rest of you, start acting like role models (whatever that means ???) for young Bruce. The last thing we need is another juvenile delinquent.
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The 22nd is fast approaching! We are still a 'go' for this event right?
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The 22nd is fast approaching! We are still a 'go' for this event right?
We're still on for the 22nd, on the route as described in the first post.
Are you and Oz still planning on heading through the Drop-Off and meeting us in Fish Creek? If so, I suggest you meet someplace other than the Visitor Center and save yourselves some time and driving. Even so, unless it takes a lot less time than I think, you'll likely intersect Fish Creek after we pass that spot heading up wash, so you'll probably want to turn left to find us, then left again into Sandstone Canyon. If one of you has a Ham Radio you might check with Paul or Bobby for a frequency, if not, just try to reach us on the FRS. I'll have my CB on Ch. 24 as well, but it doesn't work all that well.
Since we don't have an Xcursion Requirements thread on this new site yet, I'll mention of a couple of things (most of which should be pretty obvious) for those who have not been out with us before:
- We hang out at the meet spot for maybe half an hour (sometimes 45 min.), unless the trip leader is running late.
- Be sure to bring an FRS radio in working condition, with fully charged batteries. It's not a good idea to depend on someone having a spare to loan out. The channel is always the number of the month, with sub-channel always 24. November is the 11th month, so this run it will be Ch. 11, sub-channel 24.
- If you plan to air down your tires be sure to bring something to air them back up with. This trail is pretty easy, but there are some sharp rocks, and the ride is much smoother aired down.
- Even if you don't plan to camp you should always carry adequate water and food for more than one day. We'll be stopping for lunch, so a camp chair is nice to have.
- Responsible alcohol consumption at the end of the day in camp only, please refrain while on the trail. No illegal drugs. Don't forget, we're supposed to be role models for young Bruce.
- This run is pretty much entirely within the boundaries of Anza Borrego Desert State Park, where firearms are prohibited (best to check the State Park website for details).
- Anza Borrego DSP requires that all fires been in a metal container. No fires on the ground at all. I think at least one person is bringing a metal fire pit and a fireplace log or two. This is not the place for a big bonfire unfortunately.
For those of you who have not been to the State Park Visitor Center, if you're coming in from Hwy 79 (from I-15) you'll want to turn left on S-2 a little after Warner Springs, then left again after about 5 miles on S-22 (Montezuma Road, through Ranchita) which will take you down the Montezuma Grade and practically right to the meet spot. Just follow the signs for the Visitor Center. Watch out for the Sasquatch in Ranchita. Those of us coming from San Diego will be coming from the opposite direction on Hwy 79. If you're passing through the 79/S-2 area around 9:30 turn on your FRS and watch for us.
If anyone needs my cell phone number let me know.
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For those of you who have children and take them on Xcursions,
do put helmets on your children?
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Hope to make it ;D later in the day Sat due to 2x soccer finals. Most likely after 2pm so maybe at camp, which is going to be where?
As far as the Pinyon Mt trails: The squeeze before the drop off hill is super tight, even w/ the 1st gens some get body damage due to width. With the wider 2nd gens, going to be really tough but possible to come through. The drop-off's we did last time into sandstone cyn are in a different area.
I have some trails in mind for sunday; canyons up to the banner store
Brian
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Hope to make it ;D later in the day Sat due to 2x soccer finals. Most likely after 2pm so maybe at camp, which is going to be where?
As far as the Pinyon Mt trails: The squeeze before the drop off hill is super tight, even w/ the 1st gens some get body damage due to width. With the wider 2nd gens, going to be really tough but possible to come through. The drop-off's we did last time into sandstone cyn are in a different area.
I have some trails in mind for sunday; canyons up to the banner store
Brian
Brian,
Not sure just where we'll be camping, probably someplace towards the mouth of Fish Creek, maybe not too far from the Wind Caves (that's about 4 miles in from the end of the pavement at Split Mountain Rd). That's just a guess, but from the last 2 or 3 trips we've done on this route we usually get to Sandstone too early in the day to stop, and there's not all that much room back there anyway if more than 3 want to camp. I've seen some nice flat spots in Fish Creek that look like we could fit 6 or 7 trucks off of the main trail nicely, if they're not already taken. I've done this route 4 or 5 times in the last 3 years, but always as a day trip. I usually get back to the trailhead (Split Mountain Road at the mouth of Fish Creek) just at dusk
Rodriguez Canyon up to the Banner Store would be fun on Sunday, all the more so because we just took off the skid plates on my truck. It's been a couple of years, but I think there was only 1 rocky section towards the bottom, the rest was easy (well, except for that incident at the cattle guard with Tom). I'm not sure what it will look like now, with erosion after the fires. We could also go up Chariot, but that was more of dirt road, but with some great views from the switchbacks.
As for Oz and Jesse, there are 2 ways into Fish Creek from S-2. Your right, I don't see Oz getting through the Pinyon Mt. Squeeze, especially now that I think his track might be wider. Not sure what Jesse is driving. Could make for some amusing video, though. I think they were thinking of the Diablo Drop-Off, which is the one you and Paul did that night after we all split up at the Mud Caves. Where did you 2 wind up camping that night?
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For a HAM frequency, I'm going to use 2M simplex -- 144.330
Call is KI6JVC
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Oz and I won't be doing the Diablo Drop-off. We both want a more chill run, especially after our all night excursion through John Bull. Frank, do you mind PMing me your location? I'm in Sunny SD and would love to caravan up.
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Just to let everyone no i'm still a yes. Will be in Borrego by 8:30 so if anyone wants to explore a little i always do before a run. Also i do have a radio or an air compressor. If anyone could bring a extra radio that would be great. Also i don't plan to air down but if you don't mind me waiting to borrow a compressor thank fine.
Thanks
Bruce
PS: This is going to be my first trip without my father. Hes knows about the trip but i just wanted to let everyone know. I'm bringing to friends and we are planning to camp.
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Oz and I won't be doing the Diablo Drop-off. We both want a more chill run, especially after our all night excursion through John Bull. Frank, do you mind PMing me your location? I'm in Sunny SD and would love to caravan up.
PM sent.
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Got it! Can't wait for Julian Pie... :P
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For a HAM frequency, I'm going to use 2M simplex -- 144.330
Call is KI6JVC
I'm taking off Friday so we'll camp over night as close to the trail head as possible and meet up Saturday morning. I'll be on ham radio too so I'll give you call from time-to-time as the meet time approaches. Looks like there's a campground close to the meeting place. The Arroyo Salado Primitive Camp Area is located just inside the park border. Vault toilets, no water. $5 a night.
We'll bring some Santa-Marina style tri-tip-kabobs for Saturday night.
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For a HAM frequency, I'm going to use 2M simplex -- 144.330
Call is KI6JVC
I'm taking off Friday so we'll camp over night as close to the trail head as possible and meet up Saturday morning. I'll be on ham radio too so I'll give you call from time-to-time as the meet time approaches. Looks like there's a campground close to the meeting place. The Arroyo Salado Primitive Camp Area is located just inside the park border. Vault toilets, no water. $5 a night.
We'll bring some Santa-Marina style tri-tip-kabobs for Saturday night.
Paul,
Arroyo Salado is a nice camp site, but located on the other side of the Ocotillo Wells OHV Area from where we'll be. You can travel south through the various washes to get down to Hwy 78 near Ocotillo Wells, but it's hard to say how long that will take.
The campsite right at the start of the trail is the Fish Creek Primitive Camp. Take Split Mountain Road south from Hwy 78 at Ocotillo Wells for about 8 miles, then enter Fish Creek Wash on your right at about the point where the pavement ends. The camp sites are up on a mesa on your left about 1.4 miles in. You can't really see them from the wash, look for a trail that goes uphill paralleling the wash, on your left. There is probably some sort of signage, but I've driven right past it more than once.
We'll try to roll out from the meet spot around 10:30, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the trailhead, but I was thinking of stopping briefly to check out the new life size sculptures of the prehistoric animals that are out on Borrego Springs Road.
I'll trade you some apple pie for some kabobs.
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wish I could join you guys on this run... Have fun. Diablo Drop Off is totally stock friendly. I took a group through there earlier this year and we had around 4 or 5 stock 4x4's with us. Lots of fun.
Have fun guys. Hopefully I'll join y'all on the December run.
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Bad News can't make it
I have to work that weekend :(
I hope to make the next one
Have fun and post a lot of pics
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Count me in! My dad and I are going to make it as long as I get my X back from the body shop tomorrow.
Keep your fingers crossed- I got t-boned (by an idiot going the wrong way up a one way street) but was able to work out a deal with the body shop to fill in the front fenders where I took off the plastics.
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There.s a very slim chance I can go. I am on call this w/e and can't switch with anyone. I may have to go to Chandler for a job there :(
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Looks like the Fish Creek site is N33 02.38' W 116 05.76' and IIRC that's where we met up last year.
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Paul: Campsite (Below)from last year run around that corner outcroping?
For Sat night we could do a twlight run through Coyote Cyn and camp at the end, maybe meet at the trail head at 5pm or some thing if you guys want to head back to borrego springs? Could make it to sheep camp ~1hr or so if nobody gets hung up on the "rocky hill of doom" which I hear has been blasted and paved/stacked with rocks.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/CampSiteToo.jpg)
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it me again.
i think i am in ???
i will call you (Frank B) frday night to let you know
Hope to make it
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Looks like the Fish Creek site is N33 02.38' W 116 05.76' and IIRC that's where we met up last year.
As near as I can tell Paul those coordinates are out on Split Mountain Road (near where Fish Creek Wash starts), the Fish Creek Primitive Camp is about 1.4 miles up the wash, on your left as you're driving. You can see it clearly in maps.google or other sat photo maps. There is no charge to camp there. If you're going to be at the campsite we'll just meet you as we roll by. That photo that you and Brian have posted looks llike it was taken back in Sandstone, maybe about a mile or more in. That's probably right about where we might stop for lunch.
I spoke with the rangers this morning. Sandstone should be passable to about the 2.5 mile mark, where they have it closed as a wilderness area. That's as far as I was planning to go anyway.
As for Sheep Camp and the Rocky Hill of Doom, he said that they have done some work on that trail. He did not know if they expected any large groups up there this weekend (it was apparently full of Boy Scouts last week).
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OK we'll be at the Fish Creek primitive campground this afternoon and meet you guys Saturday morning.
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I hate to do this, but I can't go anymore. :'(
I've got an important upcoming exam that I need to dedicate the whole weekend to study for. I'm hitting myself while saying that, but its true. I just can't sabotage my graduate school career with 1 weekend of fun.
You guys have fun out there and take lots of photos so I can experience this weekend's run vicariously!
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I hate to do this, but I can't go anymore. :'(
I've got an important upcoming exam that I need to dedicate the whole weekend to study for. I'm hitting myself while saying that, but its true. I just can't sabotage my graduate school career with 1 weekend of fun.
You guys have fun out there and take lots of photos so I can experience this weekend's run vicariously!
Good luck on the exam.
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I hate to do this, but I can't go anymore. :'(
I've got an important upcoming exam that I need to dedicate the whole weekend to study for. I'm hitting myself while saying that, but its true. I just can't sabotage my graduate school career with 1 weekend of fun.
You guys have fun out there and take lots of photos so I can experience this weekend's run vicariously!
I was going to say that having to study never stopped me before, but then I remembered that's probably why it took me 9 years to get a undergrad degree and another 5 for an MS. Not an outcome I would wish on others.
Best that you study when you need to, we'll have lots more day trips to Anza Borrego in addition to the regular club runs to other places.
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Well its confirmed - I'll be heading out to Coyote Springs, NV tomorrow morning for work. I guess I should be happy I have a job but somehow that doesn't help much.
Have fun and be safe. Take lots of pictures
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Thank you to everyone on this trip for welcoming Denise and I into the group. We had a great time and it was cool to be able to put faces with names. Thank you Frank for the pie. Look forward to the next time we can go again. Can't wait to see some pictures. I will get ours posted asap.
Thanks again.
Don
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Hey Don, it was great to meet you and Denise and see some new members. We had a good time as well. Thanks to everyone who turned out for making a great run. That includes Rachel even though she had a flat tire and set back the women's movement by like 50 years. ;D
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Great weekend except for the REALLY big spiders that were everywhere.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/ReallyBigSpidersToo.jpg)
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John was back with Diana who said that she'd be back.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/JohnandDiana.jpg)
Frank did a good job lead ... the job is a bit like herding cats.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/FrankSqueeze.jpg)
Lunch in Sand Creek
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Lunch.jpg)
Here's the group in the morning following a beautiful evening. Carl and Fred spent the night but had to leave early.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/FrankSqueeze.jpg)
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Got no idea why John's picture is sideways above!
On the way out.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/PanaramicWashSmaller.jpg)
Really big spider story
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/BigSpiders.jpg)
Bobby
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Bobby.jpg)
Carlos and the twins
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Carlosandthetwins.jpg)
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Dan made the long trip down
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Dan.jpg)
Rachel and her ghetto door latch (insert).
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/RachelDoor.jpg)
More story telling
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/StoryTelling.jpg)
And around the camp fire.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/CampFire.jpg)
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That night most left but for those that staid behind the fire was nice, the conversations were good, and the stars were amazing!
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Stars01.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Stars03.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Stars05.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Stars07.jpg)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Stars08.jpg)
These were done with a Nikon D-90 and a tripod. I used an LED light to paint the rocks with a bit of light.
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A nice little waterfall in Sand Canyon before the section that's now closed down.
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Waterfall.jpg)
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Great pictures Paul. But you posted the same one twice but with different captions. I'm so confused.
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You're confused?
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/Xterra/Fish%20Creek%2011-2008/Mitch.jpg)
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This was a great time everyone. Thanks to all who showed up. It was really nice to see some old friends we had not seen in a while, and meet some new one too.
Camping was nice, we found a good spot almost to the end of Sandstone, it was really quiet until this one white Xterra came roaring up the canyon. It was Tom (Pigcat) who somehow managed to find us just as Paul & Noon were handing out freshly charred meat on a stick. Talk about perfect timing. Bobby's fire pit worked great, and the weather was just about perfect.
As Mitch mentioned, there is now a closure just before what used to be the really narrow part of Sandstone Canyon, but even so it's still pretty nice back there. Here are a couple of pictures from March of 2006 so you can get an idea what it was like.
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Thanks for a great trip everyone. It was fun to meet all of you and I hope you join the group again soon. Next time I'll devote more time to the drive...
Those pictures are really cool.
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Hi everyone the twins and I had a great time.
nice to meet all you
hope to see you again soon
Brought home lots of rocks
The twins spent all day Sunday sorting them out.
Ps.
I forgot to fill in my log book (would like to have a log book)
Can you guys or gals please post your call sign
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KG6 Oh A Z! (OAZ)
(http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/paul1960/NissanPairFallDayToo.jpg)
Bobby is KI6JVC and Rachel KI6JVD
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thanks Paul
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2 words... A W E--S O M E!!! ???:P
What an epic trip! Very scenic indeed as Frank described it!
We took the scenic route through Julian on the way back and really saw the changing of the colors. I highly recommend driving through it and take a few snapshots on the way--very colorful! Had a quick lunch at the vista point near Julian overlooking Anza Borrego then headed back home...
13 trucks, 5 campers, countless kebabs, one awesome time! Thanks Frank for being the Trail Boss and Paul & Noon for the awesome barbeque! It was good to see everyone and meet new members. The gathering around the "crackling" fire log was priceless. Really had a good time!
Bobby, good luck with Open Road. Sounds like there's a lot of potential in it!
Dan, the How-to-prep an MRE was very entertaining! What's on the menu next time?
Will post pics soon...
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Great photos everyone! AWESOME Night shots Paul!
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Great to see the turnout :D sorry I missed it: Was 2pm by the time the games ended and I was just too spent to make it out but there is always dec 8)
Brian
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Great run, thanks Frank. Great to meet everyone.
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Great to see the turnout :D sorry I missed it: Was 2pm by the time the games ended and I was just too spent to make it out but there is always dec 8)
Brian
We missed you and the kids out there Brian. Hope to see you in Dec.
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That does look like a great run. You guys got some great photo's too.
Finally checking in here on the new board....
I couldn't take another day without some of Mitch's Fabrifacting! ;D
Marty