Southern California Club Xterra
Southern California Club Xterra => SCCX Xcursions => Topic started by: FrankB on February 12, 2009, 04:26:19 PM
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Blair Valley Loop, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, with hiking to Ghost Mountain (Marshal South home site) and Pictograph Hiking Trail.
Saturday Feb 21: This month's Xcursion is a mild one, at least on Satuday, with probably more time out of the trucks hiking than driving. Blair Valley Loop is an easy 14 miles or so of sandy trail, with 3 nice hikes along the way.
We'll start out driving through Blair Valley to the trailhead for Yaquitepec, the site of Marshal South's family home on the top of Ghost Mountain. The hiking trail is a steep mile each way, with a significant elevation gain on the way up. Wear sturdy shoes. At the top are the remains of the adobe home and South's elaborate water system. The views from the summit of Ghost Mountain are spectacular.
You can read about Marshal South here: http://marshalsouth.com/index.asp
After lunch somewhere in the valley we'll drive to the trail head for the Pictograph Hiking Trail, an easy 1-mile each way trail that leads to a large boulder covered with Indian pictographs. This area sits at a much higher elevation than where we were in November, the vegetation is completely different, and much more abundant. If time permits we can also do the half mile or so hike to the Morteros, and the site of an old Indian village.
Camping Saturday Night: There are several options for camping on Saturday if anyone is interested. I will not be able to stay the night due to commitments on Sunday. There is a State Park Primitive Camp at Blair Valley, with vault toilets. You can also camp in other parts of the valley, there are marked and unmarked spots in both Blair Valley and Little Blair Valley. Across S-2 and south a bit is the entrance to Chariot and Rodriquez Canyons, there are a few nice camp spots in there as well.
Sunday Feb 22: Open for now, depending on what those on hand want to do. There are several options close by, ranging from easy to very difficult. Blair Valley is very to close to the start of the Pinyon Mountain trails, including the Squeeze (difficult). A bit further south on S-2 is the entrance to Chariot (moderate) and Rodriquez (difficult) Canyons, either of which lead up to the Banner Store. Even further south is the entrance to Arroyo Seco del Diablo, with the Mud Caves (easy) and Diablo Drop-Off (difficult).
Meet Time / Spot: Saturday Feb 21 - 10:00 AM at Blair Valley Primitive Camp, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County
Approx. 6 miles south of Scissors Crossing (where S-2 crosses SR 78) on County Road S-2, look for the campground on the left, just before mile post 23.
GPS: N33 02 13.7 W116 24 35.1
Reference:
Wells Guide to So Cal Backroads & 4WD Trails, number 53, page 191.
Comm:
FRS Channel 2, sub-code 24
CB Channel 24
Please post any comments, suggestions or questions.
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In honor of Mashal South, this excursion is clothing optional.
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*waiting for John's (Sturndog) enthusiastic response... :P
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We're good and we'll camp over night.
Trixie the Wonder Dog, Noon, and their driver. :)
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In honor of Mashal South, this excursion is clothing optional.
I'M IN.
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I'M IN.
pervert
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In honor of Mashal South, this excursion is clothing optional.
For some reason I must have forgotten to mention that. Sorry for the oversight.
I have, however, updated the meet spot info with GPS coordinates, and a reference to the Wells book write-up on the trail. Maybe Mitch will post his picture of the meet spot, which he had posted in an earlier thread, but does not seem to be there any more.
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I've recently become involved with a digital photography group in San Diego, and several of them have expressed an interest in seeing parts of Anza Borrego. The group is varied, some are experienced photographers, some are novices. So far all seem friendly. Some who are interested do not have off-road capable vehicles.
Would anyone who is going on this Xcursion be interested in having one or more passengers along for the ride? The riders could leave their car(s) at the meet spot, since we'll wind up back there at the end of the day. I've offered to take one passenger. If so, please indicate how many seats available, and any special restrictions (ie non-smoker etc).
I've just posted this on the photo group website, and don't know yet if anyone will actually want to join. In case you're interested, the site is: www.sandiegodslr.com
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I think this sounds better than rushing for this week. Plus i should be feeling better by then. I would also join the group but i dont live in SD...
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I would be willing but If digital I get the copies since it is so hard to drive and take photos.
Yes Bruce I agree.... I am looking at low level snow here, grapvine is probally going to be shut down and I dont have a desire to drive in snow and rain unless I have to.
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Sounds like fun but I'll be out of town. If my plans change I'll let you guys know.
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I'm a maybe. I want to, but have been swamped at work. Will let you know as we get closer.
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Frank, I'm going to try and be there and I usually have one seat free. Only restriction would be it would have to be a hot chick. Oh, and a non-smoker. Unless she is smoking hot, then I'll let her smoke with the windows down.
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Denise and I will be there and are planning on camping overnight.
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Denise and I will be there and are planning on camping overnight.
Don, I'll bring your shirts.
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In another thread Don (Goldfish) asked if I could fix him up with an SCCX loincloth to wear to the Marshall South home site on Ghost Mountain. Since none of us want to see him (or anyone else) looking like Marshal, I'll see what I can do in the short time available. I'm thinking it will look something like this, but with the club logo on the front. Actually, I'm not even sure there is a back.
(http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/frankbb_photo/MarshalSouthcover.jpg)
You should know that the picture below, of Marshal South, depicts the preferred mode of attire at Yaquitepec. Bring plenty of sunscreen.
(http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/frankbb_photo/MarshalSouthnude.jpg)
At the foot of the trail up to the house there was a sign, that read as follows:
(http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp133/frankbb_photo/TrailSign.jpg)
This is Yaquitepec
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That is a great find Frank! Since our last trip, the people, the place and the harsh environment really captured my interest. Finally got to see what's "behind" all this...
Now about those loincloths... do they come in XXL? :D
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Fred I am covering my EYES....
I have been downdgreaded to a maybe since I am now sick....sigh
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At least you were not on the last leg of the famous Area 51 /Red Flag exercise trip when Mitch and Dan wanted to go to a no clothing allowed hot spring bath. I am still receiving counseling.........
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At least you were not on the last leg of the famous Area 51 /Red Flag exercise trip when Mitch and Dan wanted to go to a no clothing allowed hot spring bath. I am still receiving counseling.........
Do you mean Brokeback Hot Springs? That spot was recommended by Bobby.
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At least you were not on the last leg of the famous Area 51 /Red Flag exercise trip when Mitch and Dan wanted to go to a no clothing allowed hot spring bath. I am still receiving counseling.........
Dood! There's NO amount of counseling that would help to heal a scar like that... :o
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Sorry to break up this party but I have a question. Is anyone bringing a firepit? Should I bring firewood?
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Good Q. Anyone know if that site has fire rings? I can bring a bundle of wood but i dont have a ring. I'm still not 100% on if I have to work but it's looking more like I can make this run and camp Saturday night.
If I go Frank and Fred do you want to caravan out on Saturday morning?
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I'm a maybe for Saturday. BTW, here is a picture of the super secret meet spot.
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t91/mitch1351/Anza%20Borrego%2011-19-08/IMG_0495.jpg)
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Regarding fire rings: None of the primitive camps in that part of the Park have fire rings or stoves. In fact, Fish Creek Primitive Camp is the only one of them that does have any. If you want to have a fire you will need to have it in a metal container of some sort, and pack out the ashes.
If anyone from San Diego wants to caravan, I plan to leave my house at about 0800, which should allow time to stop at the Julian Pie Company just as they open at 0900. I will pick up a couple of apple pies to go with lunch.
Also, I may have been slightly off on my estimation of distance south on S-2 from SR-78 to the Blair Valley Primitive Camp, but in any event it is just before Mile Post 23. From the meet spot we will backtrack north on S-22 a short distance to the start of the trail. Just keep an eye on the left for the Super Secret Meet Spot that Mitch was kind enough to post a picture of. There may not be a sign that actually says Blair Valley, but there is an Historical Marker sign, and a campground symbol sign. It's clearly marked on all the paper maps of the Park, and even on the AAA San Diego Region map.
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I don't have a firepit so unless someone says they are bringing one I won't bother bringing any wood. Is anyone else besides Paul and I camping overnight?
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I'm bummed as I will be missing this run... I was even looking forward to going "South" :o
At least the camera ban is now lifted. :D
And yes... you may cancel your counseling appointment for next week. ;D
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Just a heads up for anyone that was going to take the 76 out to expect delays on the 76 due to the Tour of CA rolling through town for Palomar Mt, etc.....
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Thanks for the heads up. I was planning on taking the 76 from the 15. Frank or anyone else. Any suggestions?
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Thinking about going for Sat. - the "clothes optional" for real? I was going to bring my 12 yo - we may do some wheelin, if you guys think the Marshall part is gonna be too revealin!
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Thinking about going for Sat. - the "clothes optional" for real? I was going to bring my 12 yo - we may do some wheelin, if you guys think the Marshall part is gonna be too revealin!
The clothing optional part is just a joke, a scary one, but just a joke.
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Just a heads up for anyone that was going to take the 76 out to expect delays on the 76 due to the Tour of CA rolling through town for Palomar Mt, etc.....
This is correct, the 76 will be pretty messed up but the stage runs on Sunday so you may catch a break if you're rolling through there on Sat. morning.
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The clothing optional part is just a joke, a scary one, but just a joke.
You keep teasing me Mitch.
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Just another heads-up on traffic. If you're trying to get there using the 15-215 like me be aware that the 215 is broken North of Temecula.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/inland_empire&id=6667226
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Just a heads up for anyone that was going to take the 76 out to expect delays on the 76 due to the Tour of CA rolling through town for Palomar Mt, etc.....
Oh yeah. Forgot about that even thought I've been watching it ;D
Count me in for camping on Saturday night. Going solo, no wife and no dog. Too cold for them. Frank I'll be at your place at 8.
I don't have a fire container to bring. I guess I won't bring wood either unless you other guys want to change the overnighter to fish creek. Whatever you want to do is fine with me.
Lightspur, while Marshall South liked to hang loose we won't be doing that for the hike.
For you Sunday guys, Frank mentioned Pinyon Mtn. I'll pass on going through the squeeze again but the trail up to it was one of the most scenic I've been on in Borrego and highly recommend it. Should be awesome with the snow. Check out the first few pics of my post on the trail here http://www.sccxterra.com/smf/index.php/topic,118.0.html
Jeff
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Don (and anyone else who was thinking of taking SR-76 west from I-15), you might be better off getting on the I-15 northbound, then exiting on SR-79 South, which is the first Temecula exit, just as you come down the hill from the Border Patrol checkpoint. The signs will indicate towards Indio. Don't confuse it with the north version that intersects I-15 at Winchester Road, at the north end of Temecula. Stay on SR-79 South for about 45 miles, then turn left on to S-2. There will be signage indicating Anza Borrego, and the road only goes to the left at that T-intersection.
From there, stay on S-2 (do not turn left after 5 miles on to S-22, even though there is signage indicating Borrego Springs and the State Park Visitor Center). Stay on S-2 until it intersects SR-78 at Scissors Crossing. You'll make a right turn on to SR-78, go about 100 yards, then turn left in order to continue southbound on S-2 to the meet spot.
Don: I forget how far north you are, but there may be other routes to Temecula that are faster than driving all the way south on I-5 to SR-76. And, SR-76 has a lot of stops and traffic. Bobby and Rachel said it really sucked when they drove it in November on their way to the meet spot. You may even find it faster to take the 91 to I-15 then go south to Temecula, but I'm not sure about that. Or, maybe Ortega Highway, then south on I-15.
There are several gas stations on SR-79 South right after you get off the Interstate. After that, I think there may be one in Warner Springs but I'm not sure. After you pass Warner Springs there are no other stations that I know of along the route. There is one in downtown Borrego Springs, but we won't be over in that direction at all. It would be best to top off before leaving Temecula.
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Don (and anyone else who was thinking of taking SR-76 west from I-15), you might be better off getting on the I-15 northbound, then exiting on SR-79 South, which is the first Temecula exit, just as you come down the hill from the Border Patrol checkpoint. The signs will indicate towards Indio. Don't confuse it with the north version that intersects I-15 at Winchester Road, at the north end of Temecula. Stay on SR-79 South for about 45 miles, then turn left on to S-2. There will be signage indicating Anza Borrego, and the road only goes to the left at that T-intersection.
From there, stay on S-2 (do not turn left after 5 miles on to S-22, even though there is signage indicating Borrego Springs and the State Park Visitor Center). Stay on S-2 until it intersects SR-78 at Scissors Crossing. You'll make a right turn on to SR-78, go about 100 yards, then turn left in order to continue southbound on S-2 to the meet spot.
Don: I forget how far north you are, but there may be other routes to Temecula that are faster than driving all the way south on I-5 to SR-76. And, SR-76 has a lot of stops and traffic. Bobby and Rachel said it really sucked when they drove it in November on their way to the meet spot. You may even find it faster to take the 91 to I-15 then go south to Temecula, but I'm not sure about that. Or, maybe Ortega Highway, then south on I-15.
There are several gas stations on SR-79 South right after you get off the Interstate. After that, I think there may be one in Warner Springs but I'm not sure. After you pass Warner Springs there are no other stations that I know of along the route. There is one in downtown Borrego Springs, but we won't be over in that direction at all. It would be best to top off before leaving Temecula.
DO NOT GET GAS AT NORM'S in Julian (last fuel in town) Guy's a JERK
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DO NOT GET GAS AT NORM'S in Julian (last fuel in town) Guy's a JERK
What happened Oz?
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What happened Oz?
I usually always get gas there (never again). One Saturday I stopped there for fuel and the gal there gave me the key to the bathroom. The very next Saturday I was on another run and Norm was behind the counter. I asked to use the bathroom again and he snapped that he didn't have one. I said thats really odd cause the gal here last w/e let me use one. He flatly denied having one and he was pretty much a jerk to me. If you need to potty in Julian the gals at the coffee house next door are really friendly and they have a MUCH nicer rest room than that curmudgeon Norm
OH and his gas prices are WAY high too
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DO NOT GET GAS AT NORM'S in Julian (last fuel in town) Guy's a JERK
Sorry to hear about that Oz, sounds like the guy needs to learn a bit about customer service.
The good news for anyone else, though, is that you don't need to drive through Julian unless you are coming from San Diego (or miss the turn on to S-2). It's out of the way otherwise (and the traffic there can really suck).
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I'm in for Sat.
Anyone taking the 79 south from Temecula - I'll be at the Walmart (~3 mi from 15/79 exit) at 7:45 - Gas/burrito gone by 8:00. Lots of places to eat along 79 before Walmart, Starbucks etc. Not much after till Warner Springs (not much there either).
If u r taking 215 so. the 215 may be closed at Los Alamos Rd just before the 15 merge, due to a sink hole. Get off at Los Alamos - turn Right/west - make 1st left onto Hancock - 1 mi to Murrieta Hot Springs - make left onto Ht Sprgs - 215 on ramp on right - 5 min detour.
FRS ch 2 Lance aka Lightspur
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no one know what customer service is anymore. no one. ...
Frank I am out due to feeling like warmed over S@#$. I am going to stay back and doing some class work. I might roll over to the other base and do some civic duty and work a food drive for a couple of hours.
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Norm's a jerk! Let's pee on his chips!
I'm almost pretty sure that I'm a definate maybe for tomorrow.
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spoken like a man whom has been married for years
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Almost finished packing. See you all in the morning.
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I'll definitely be there. Leaving here 0600. >:(
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I'll definitely be there. Leaving here 0600. >:(
I'm not leaving here until 8 so if you've in the area before I leave call me.
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I'm not leaving here until 8 so if you've in the area before I leave call me.
Will do. Your number end in 247?
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Pictures posted.
Sunday morning we went up Oriflamme Canyon.
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I posted mine in Paul's post.
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So it looks like you guys went up Oriflamme Canyon and then up the switchbacks to Chariot Canyon. Did you take that all the way to Hwy 78 at Banner, or turn back down Rodriguez Canyon and wind up back where you started? If you went back on Rodriguez you actually had to pass over the Cattle Guard of Doom.
I'm curious what condition Rodriguez is in, it's been a few years since I've been there. We did that shelf road up Oriflamme to Chariot with Mitch and his extended family the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
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So it looks like you guys went up Oriflamme Canyon and then up the switchbacks to Chariot Canyon. Did you take that all the way to Hwy 78 at Banner, or turn back down Rodriguez Canyon and wind up back where you started? If you went back on Rodriguez you actually had to pass over the Cattle Guard of Doom.
That's the cattle guard. Oddly enough I felt something strange and paused there for a navigation check.
I'm curious what condition Rodriguez is in, it's been a few years since I've been there. We did that shelf road up Oriflamme to Chariot with Mitch and his extended family the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
We went up Oriflamme and continued north to Banner. There's a nice little cafe there by the way - would make a nice stop. I was thinking that a nice trip would be Blair Valley hiking, off-road up Oriflamme, camp on the north end of that canyon beyond the park boundary. That that wanted to bail out Saturday could just keep going out. Next morning back down Rodriguez and out that way as it's likely a hour and a half out down that trail. Oriflamme wasn't it too bad of a shape with a few recent rock falls littering the trail.
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Had a great time! You guys that left on Sat. missed a nice drive up Oriflamme. We had a nice Hibachi fire Sat nite, and some great food/potluck. Jeff was gonna sleep out on the ground but after a few bear, snake, creeepy crawly stories he decided to move to his X!
See ya next time!
(posted a few more picts)
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Had a great time! You guys that left on Sat. missed a nice drive up Oriflamme. We had a nice Hibachi fire Sat nite, and some great food/potluck. Jeff was gonna sleep out on the ground but after a few bear, snake, creeepy crawly stories he decided to move to his X!
See ya next time!
(posted a few more picts)
Lance, it was good to meet you and Erik. Hope to see you both again soon.
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Thank you Frank for organizing this trip. We had a great time. Nice to meet some new people Heather,Jeff,Lance, & Eric. Also thanks to Paul for leading us on Sunday. That was a lot of fun.
What a great group of people this is.