Our Four Wheel Camper

El Paso Mountains, CA, Desert Trek 2017 - "They were there and then they were gone."

2017-05-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Our first stop on the Desert Trek was at the Jawbone Siphon of the Los Angeles Aqueduct.

Next we drove into the El Paso Mountains east of Red Rock Canyon State Park. We visited an old mine and stopped at the location of Della Gerbracht's house.

It was here that we discovered Colton's rock stacking abilities.

Next stop was Toni Seger's home which is located next to Burro Schmidt's cabin.

Then we walked around the hill to the tunnel.

William Henry Schmidt spent 38 years digging this half-mile tunnel.

Every walked through the mountain. I stayed outside with Bosco.

Dusty design with a faded Explorers flag.

We passed by a spot where I once camped in my Unimog. Miss that old piece of iron and wish on the morning of the wildfire that destroyed our home I would have chosen to drive it out instead of my Tacoma.

We drove on through hills still green from winter rains.

Evidence that Colton was in the area.

Our destination was the abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Seismotite mine.

They were there and then...

they were gone.

Southern Nevada: Rainbow Canyon and Mormon Mountains - "a blast from the locomotive"

2017-04-08T17:44:00.000-07:00

Bosco and I packed up our Kane Springs Road camp and drove east back down into Rainbow Canyon.

Driving over and crossing under the railroad tracks was a theme on this road.

More gorgeous rock waiting for the right light.

We drove under the railroad and up Cottonwood Canyon to the Clover Mountain Wilderness boundary.

Potential for future exploration but soon it was time to move on.

First a photograph, then a wave at the engineer and last a blast from the locomotive's horn were the three actions at this stop.

Our route continued south to Lyman Crossing and then east to the Tule Desert where a choice had to be made. We drove south toward the Mormon Mountains.

Wild flowers were blooming.

A small herd of horses crossed the road ahead of us.

The drive south through the Tule Desert was very scenic although probably a dry and dusty trip in the summer.

Heading west into the Mormon Mountains on Horse Hollow Road.

Plenty of water after good winter rains.

Our route took us high into the mountains until we reached a wilderness boundary.

Bosco and I hiked on to Horse Spring.

Looking east down into the south fork of Toquop Wash.

We hiked higher until the trail disappeared.

Bosco led the way back to camp, occasionally looking back to check on me.

Our camp at the wilderness boundary.

It rained several times during the night but dawn brought partially cloudy skies.

Our route south with the East Mormon Mountains on the left.

A view west toward Moapa Peak.

Far in the distance was Interstate 15 and our route home.

Southern Nevada: Pahranagat NWR and Delamar Lake - "Groot beckoned for us to stay"

2017-04-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

After purchasing fuel in Glendale we drove north on NV168 and then US 95 toward the Pahranagat NWR. Bosco was so excited about the drive that he took a nap.

We stopped for lunch near the lake.

The were several vacant campsites but the traffic on US 93 was just a few hundred yards away and there were several more hours of daylight so we drove on.

A bog creature who looked to be a cousin of Groot beckoned for us to stay as we departed the refuge.

We turned down the invitation and drove north then east onto Alamo Canyon Road.

A short time later Delamar Lake appeared in the distance.

Out in the middle of the lake bed was an island which was our destination.

We passed under the guyed-V tubular towers of the One Nevada Transmission Line.

And drove onto Delamar Lake.

Mirages were happening on the lake bed.

Upon arriving at the island we walked to its highpoint. During our stroll we discovered small pockets of trash. I suggested to Jo Ann that we circumnavigate the island and pick up all the trash. She agreed and for an hour we worked at the task. An entire garbage bag was filled with trash from the shoreline of the island.

After our bit of community service we drove away from the island and set up camp on the playa.

Sunset on Delmar Lake.

The next morning mirages were happening once again.

Bosco walked away from camp, sat down and kept a watchful eye on the truck. The tracks on the playa were not ours.

After breakfast we broke camp, drove back to the road and continued north toward the Delamar town site.

On our way we stopped at a Chinese cemetery near Delamar Wash.

And less than a mile away was an old camp.

Looked like the parts of an ore roaster.

A few signs of domesticity were found.

Our next stop was Delamar or as it was known at the time, "The Widow Maker" because the gold was in quartzite, which when crushed created a fine silica dust. Miners would breathed in the dust and developed silicosis much like what happened when the Hawks Nest Tunnel was built in the 1930's.

Not much remains of the town.

At the height of the Delamar boom 1,500 people lived in the town and it had an opera house, hotels, a hospital, churches, a school and of course saloons.

Curiously this was the third safe that we found while exploring the town.

After one last look at Delamar we drove north to visit the town cemetery.

We found several markers for the Horn family.

Made me wonder if any of the residents were related to my paternal grandmother.

It was late afternoon as we made our way north and then east to Caliente. After purchasing fuel we drove under the Union Pacific Railroad and then south on Rainbow Canyon Road.

From the looks of this car there had been some serious water flowing down the wash.

High rock walls lined the road but the cloudy afternoon sky made for poor photography.

More evidence of past flooding in Rainbow Canyon.

High canyon walls waiting for the right light.

We stopped in Elgin to visit the school house but it was closed.

Soon it was time to look for a place to camp. We drove east up Kane Springs Road and after trying a few side roads found a site just after sunset.

Our camp the next morning under a cloudy sky.

After breakfast Jo Ann drove west on Kane Springs Road headed for home while Bosco and I drove east back down into Rainbow Canyon.

Sourthern Nevada: Airway Beacon and Double Negative - "take a moment and consider the hysteria"

2017-04-05T22:08:00.000-07:00

We drove East from Las Vegas to an old airway beacon arrow located in the desert North of Riverside on Mormon Mesa. I became interested in the history of Transcontinental Airway System beacons after finding one decades ago.

Bosco was more interested in rolling in some fresh cow manure. To his canine olfactory system the manure was probably Eau de Cologne but to me it just smelled like shit.

Next we drove down the Moapa River valley to Overton and then East up onto the southern portion of Mormon Mesa.

About 30 minutes later we arrived at the Double Negative.

Double Negative is a 1,500-foot-long, 50-foot-deep, 30-foot-wide trough that was cut with dynamite and heavy equipment in 1969 by artist Michael Heizer. Take a moment and consider the hysteria that the construction of this piece of art would create today.

Hiezer is the artist behind LACMA's Levitated Mass and the man who has spent decades building "The City" in Garden Valley, West of the Golden Gate Range in Nevada. Don't put a visit on your Nevada itinerary because the site is not open to the general public. Although Senator Harry Reid visited the installation and then convinced President Barack Obama to declare 740,000 acres surrounding the site wilderness. - newyorker.com

We found a few wild flowers blooming near Double Negative.

And then drove on looking for a place to camp.

One of the few cleared areas we could find the site of an old oil well

and that is where we set up camp, prepared dinner and watched the sunset.

The next morning we packed up camp, drove back down to the Moapa River valley and motored on to our next destination.

Overnight at Green Mountain Lake - "weird shape in the playa"

2017-04-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

We set up camp under a hazy moon on the dry bed of Green Mountain Lake.

Sunrise found Bosco exploring the lake bed.

Had no ideas about what caused this weird shape in the playa.

Our camp on the lake bed.

After breakfast it was time to pack up camp and drive East toward Las Vegas and rendezvous with Jo Ann.

Surprise Adventure to the Carrizo Plain - "amid a blanket of blooms"

2017-04-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

(photo credit: Megan Murphy)

Eventually a total of 21 vehicles sporting Explorers flag window stickers arrived at the rendezvous spot for this year's Surprise Adventure. We parked next to the San Andreas Fault alongside Soda Lake Road on the South end of the Carrizo Plain. After a brief discussion about the area and distributing maps the group dispersed and drove North.

(photo credit: Megan Murphy)

We came to view the super-bloom and were not disappointed.

(photo credit: Keira Banks)

(photo credit: Megan Murphy)

Most of the group stopped at Traver Ranch.

I drove ahead of the group to mark the turn to "The Purple."

The week before Bosco and I had the entire area to ourselves. This weekend there were more than 20 vehicles parked near this massive floral display.

After "The Purple" most of the group continued North to Soda Lake.

I drove into the hills to secure a campsite for the Explorers who were camping for the night.

As sunset approached five families joined me and Bosco at a lovely campsite above the plain.

(photo credit: Keira Banks)

The shadows lengthened as we set up camp amid a blanket of blooms.

After dinner we gathered together for S'mores and then retired for the night.
This particular night was the 365th for me in our Four Wheel Camper. Difficult to wrap my brain around the fact that in the last ten years I have spent 1/10th of those nights sleeping in a camper.

Our camp at dawn. The overnight low was 12 degrees lower than forecast.

(photo credit: Keira Banks)

Keira captured an image of our camper in the morning light.

There was a large field of Fiddlenecks across the road from our camp.

After breakfast we broke camp. Bosco and I drove South for home while everyone else drove North to visit Soda Lake.

Two nights on the Carrizo Plain - "yelping of coyotes in the distance"

2017-03-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

We arrived late in the afternoon.

As we looked for a campsite we found the side roads still muddy from recent rains.

The spring wildflower bloom had begun.

We set up camp deep in the hills far from the main road.

Dawn was misty.

More mist rolled through after breakfast.

Eventually the sun broke through the clouds and we went on a hike into the surrounding hills.

There was rain to the East.

We followed the road high into the hills.

Caliente Peak was far to the North.

We cut cross-country across the hills.

And made our way back to the road and followed it to our camp.

I spent the remainder of the day reading while Bosco patrolled the perimeter.

The yelping of coyotes in the distance signaled the approach of darkness and about an hour later we retired to the camper.

Another foggy morning.

We broke camp and drove back toward Soda Lake Road.

In an odd twist of coincidence I was listening to Snortin' Whiskey by Pat Travers as we drove by Traver Ranch.

Massive fields of yellow were to be found along the road.

And we found a gigantic field of purple.

Then we drove farther to North Soda Lake.

Reflections on Soda Lake.

We drove East on the San Diego Creek Road and found a quiet place to eat lunch.

On our drive back to Soda Lake Road we had a chance encounter with Tom Hanagan, who owned Four Wheel Campers from 2001 to 2016. We talked for awhile about exploration, retirement and Four Wheel Campers until it was time for Tom to drive North and me to head South.

The Soda Lake Overlook was crowded with people and vehicles.

We parked at a turnout to capture a photo of water in and clouds over this shallow, ephemeral, alkali endorheic lake.

After visiting Soda Lake we turned around and drove South toward CA-166.

A mile from the highway and time to leave the lush blooming plain of Carrizo behind and head for home.

Return to the Turtle Mountains - "a screeching bush"

2017-02-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

We reached the Turtle Mountains late in the afternoon.

In the distance shadows were moving toward the collapsed remains of the Lost Arch Inn as we drove to our objective.

Several years before I had noticed a grave marked on a topo map 1/2 mile from the Inn and decided to investigate on this trip. We found a mound of rocks about six feet long but no marker.

We drove into the sunset on the way to our campsite.

Evening in the Turtle Mountains.

Dawn.

After a late breakfast we hiked an old road into wilderness.

Soon there was evidence that the area had been trammeled by man.

We found several vehicles. This was the most interesting.

Cabin foundation.

A path led to the outhouse which was intact although reclined.

Curious machine. Maybe a home-brew dry washer.

After giving much thought to the history and forgotten stories of the old camp we hiked cross-country back to the truck.

We ate a late lunch serenaded by a screeching bush that had somehow managed to position a broken branch perfectly behind a BLM road sign that was moving with the wind. What kind of serendipity was at play to make this happen?

After lunch we drove about five miles West and reestablished our camp. Sunset was cloudy.

It was a windy morning with a gray sky.

Once again we were hiking on a perfectly good road into wilderness.

Bosco led the way as we began our hike deep into the Turtle Mountains.

We passed by many old claim markers

and unique pieces of

mining history alongside the road.

The road continued South.

Ocotillo were green with new leaves.

View from inside.

Many old campsites were discovered along the road.

And the road continued South.

Then turned East toward Umpah and Mopah. A view of the Turtle Mountains that few people get to see.

And then South again passing more campsites along the road. This area must have been a wonderful place to explore and camp before the roads were closed by the Desert Protection Act of 1994.

45 minutes later we reached our objective.

This old Packard

marked the destination of our hike.

Herbert Pulver owned a Packard Automobile dealership in Santa Monica in the 1930's.

We found the outline of a cabin with rocks set in cement and several hardened bags of cement.

After lunch and rest it was time to hike back to the truck.

Photograph of a photographer taking a photograph.

Our route took us through several washes as we retraced our tracks.

We reached camp about two hours after sunset.

Dawn.

Later in the morning more than a dozen

helicopters flew over our location headed East.

We left the Turtle Mountains behind.

More helicopters flew East over the desert.

We visited

several old cabins

on our return to I-40.

North and South of CA 166 - "things were going to deteriorate"

2017-02-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

A mudslide closed the right lane of the northbound Interstate 5.

After the lane closure it was a clear drive down the Grapevine and into the San Joaquin Valley.

We drove West on CA 166 and found the road closed. I checked the Caltrans website and it had not shown this closure.

Several sections of the highway were single track through the mud and there was one short section with about 12 inches of water but many locals were driving the road.

A pastoral scene a few miles East of Maricopa.

Looking East down Grocer Grade toward Maricopa.

We turned North on Soda Lake Road and drove onto the Carrizo Plain.

After the pavement ended road conditions became sloppy and a rain squall in the distance meant things were going to deteriorate.

Wanting to avoid the quagmire that this road can become when wet we set up camp at the old Morris homestead.

Sunset arrived an hour later.

At 10:06 a rabbit visited our camp.

Dawn was misty and damp.

Less than a mile to the West of our camp was a small cemetery.

Bosco and I strolled over to the site.

Another homestead in the southern end of the Plains was established in those years by the family of Edmund and Mary Morris. Mary died in 1896 and lies in a grave plot near the homestead. - santamargaritahistoricalsociety.org
The Mary and Edmund Morris family homesteaded four 1/4 sections of land (160 acres each), totaling to 640 acres of land on the SE end of the Carrizo Plain in 1889. They also purchased an additional 800 acres of land. The Morris' had three children: Tom, Joe, and Emma. - findagrave.com

The first time I visited this cemetery was in 1988, 29 years ago. I was a young man then. Now I am the same age as Mary when she died. It was wet and muddy that spring as well.

Bosco and I hiked farther into the hills.

After an hour we turned around and headed back to camp. This spring may bring a super-bloom after such great rain totals.

Bosco found an old horse hoof to chew while I read.

More rain moved into the area and I made the decision to break camp.

Every time we drive past cattle Bosco whines and wants out of the truck because his instinct is to get out there and take charge.

Decided to drive up and over the mountains instead of returning home via the 166.

After 25 miles or so we reached snow.

We drove up Mount Pinos until we could drive no farther.

This was Bosco's second time in deep snow and he did not like it any more than the first.

We would have stayed the night but I had neither skis or snowshoes so as night fell we made for home.

Subterranean Explorers in the Mojave - "eager to get underground"

2017-02-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

94 spelunkers were lined up and eager to get underground.

Their first stop was a lava tube inside of the crater.

(photo credit: Keira Banks)

Then they moved out into the lava field.

And crawled underground.

As sunset approached the spelunkers returned from their subterranean explorations, hiked back to the vehicles and began the drive for home.

Dave and I ate dinner in the darkness listening to the booming of bombs and artillery a few miles away on Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command 29 Palms.

Later Dave drove away into the darkness while Bosco and I retired into the camper for the night.

Dawn on a shoulder of the volcano.

Later in the morning we searched a new area looking for lava tubes and we found one.

It was named "Not a Bad Cave.'

Bosco was concerned as I disappeared into the cave.

One last look at the volcano until our return next year.

East of Black Mountain - "a mysterious bright orb hovered above"

2017-01-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

Driving North through Hinkley. Yep, the same Hinkley as in the 2000 movie "Erin Brockovich." The school closed in June 2013.

The road is paved for about three miles. Aptly named Black Mountain is in the distance.

After another couple of miles of graded dirt road conditions changed.

Opal Mountain to the North. Hiked to its summit in 1999.

We turned East, drove past Murphy's Well and through a break in the Opal Mountain Volcanic Formation.

Soon evidence of the rain eight days earlier appeared.

To the North it appeared that Superior Dry Lake was no longer dry.

We drove past an old mining claim. The sign has been standing for 37 years. I remember driving by it in 1998.

In the distance just before sunset a mysterious bright orb hovered above the valley.*

Set up camp on the road because I didn't think anyone would be driving by during the night. We had not seen another vehicle since leaving Hinkley.

During the night more mysterious lights appeared to the North.*

The next morning a couple of small lenticular clouds formed above a hill to the South.

It was a frosty morning.

The temperature began to rise as the sun rose above the horizon.

After breakfast Bosco and I hiked West toward our objective and found an old tortoise shell.

How long had the .50 cal casing been resting on the heart shaped rock?

To the South a reflection caught my eye.

Looked like an old target drone. Once again I asked myself the question, how long?

We continued West.

After another 30 minutes we reached a large depression.

I had noticed this feature on a topographical map several years ago. Surprised at the amount of water in the depression.

After exploring the area we hiked back to the truck.

And then hiked East to see what else we could find but the only object discovered was an old beer can.

After lunch it was time to break camp and move on.

In a few miles I had to make a choice; drive West or East. West would be shorter but East would probably have less mud and water. A moment later a pickup truck appeared on the road coming in from the West. The driver stopped and I asked about road conditions. He told me that the road was good with only a couple of spots that might require four-wheel drive. I drove West.

The first obstacle but there was a by-pass.

Another obstacle but no by-pass.

And another with no by-pass.

I was beginning to think that the driver's definition of a of good road was different than mine.

After several more mud crossings we finally reached a dry roadbed.

That is until we were West of Inscription Canyon. Luckily there was a by-pass around this quagmire.

The sun was setting as we drove South down Black Canyon.

It had been a good ten years since I had driven this road. I was tempted to stop by Scouts Cove because a friend had told me that the cave cabin had been cleaned up but we were running short of daylight.

Harper Lake looked very wet when we reached the mouth of Black Canyon

The condition of Harper Lake meant that we weren't driving South. So, we turned East hoping to link up with the Hinkley Road but there was one more obstacle in our way.

Darkness descended as we worked our way East.

After 30 minutes we reached a dry road and saw the lights of Hinkley ahead. Pavement and the route home was only ten minutes away.
*The bright orb was the last light of sunset reflecting on a stop sign. The mysterious lights to the North were red flashing aircraft warning beacons on NAWS China Lake.

Southern Turtle Mountains - "a magical 1200 seconds"

2016-12-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

Eight miles West of Vidal Junction we turned right and drove North ...

and crossed the Colorado River Aqueduct.

The road showed no traffic since the rain from the previous week.

But about four miles later we passed a pop-up camper near the turn-off for Horn Spring. There we met the owner, a man named Loren, who had been camping at the location for the past week.

We set up camp about two miles from the other camper at the edge of the wilderness with Castle Rock to the North.

The three of us sat in the darkness watching for meteors. Although I don't believe that Bosco had any astronomical interest but he does notice the lights of low flying aircraft in the sky above our backyard.

Sunrise to the South.

Bosco and I were watching the sunrise when the thought crossed my mind of looking in the opposite direction.

Panorama to the North. After brunch Bosco and I hiked away from camp toward something discovered on GoogleEarth.

Along the way we found a very old tortoise shell ...

and several roads.

On the return storm clouds were forming.

About 30 minutes after reaching camp rain began to fall.

The rain pounded our camper but Jan had Bosco's full attention while she ate a snack.

This rainbow lasted about 20 minutes, which was a magical 1200 seconds.

We began our drive for home headed toward a magnificent sunset.

Eastern Turtle Mountains - "a note scratched on a wall"

2016-12-29T19:00:00.000-08:00

A traffic jam in Barstow at 3:30PM on a Monday. Who would have thought?

Two hours later the sun was setting.

We stopped at the Mountain Springs Road exit for Bosco to stretch his legs.

After purchasing fuel in Needles we drove South and then West on the Heart of the Mojave road.

Our camp at the edge of the wilderness boundary.

The dawn sky was cloudy.

The trail behind this sign follows an old road for a portion of the route to Mopah Spring. I had intended to hike the four miles to the spring but an old injury flared up and cancelled that plan because I wanted to save the miles for another hike.

We spent a leisurely morning relaxing at the trail-head before driving on to our next destination.

After 30 minutes we returned to pavement.

Then we drove a few miles North and turned West onto another dirt road.

Umpah and Mopah in the distance behind abandoned mining equipment.

We drove over and found

an interesting

monument.

And then it was back on the old road that seemed to get sketchier by the mile.

We stopped and set up camp after the road conditions deteriorated to the point where is was faster to hike than drive.

Bosco and I left our camp behind and hiked West toward the objective.

Umpah and Mopah were a constant presence to the Southwest.

After two miles the remains of a cabin came into view.

The cabin was in bad shape and no longer habitable.

But this note scratched on a wall panel saved us a hike up to the mine. Thank you, MW.

Bosco posed for a photo as I consulted a map to check on our route.

We hiked on and dropped into a wash.

Debris tangled in the trees showed that some deep water had flowed down this wash.

The sun was setting when we turned back.

One last look to the South before darkness descended.

The last mile of our hike was in the moonless night and it was good to see the porch light of the camper ahead in the darkness.

Bosco and I were up early to watch the sun rise.

Umpah and Mopah in the distance behind our camp.

The road back to pavement seemed shorter but just as rutted.

We drove South to Vidal Junction and then turned East toward Parker for lunch and fuel.

Journey to the Quail Spring Cabin, DVNP - "the jeep road disappeared"

2016-11-26T23:40:00.000-08:00

After fueling in Baker we drove North on the 127 and then West on the Harry Wade Road.

The drive into the Owlshead Mountains always takes longer than expected. This time was no different.

Fort Irwin to the South.

At the Fort Irwin entrance we turned right and entered Death Valley National Park. The Owlshead Range was annexed when the monument became a national park in 1994.

This is my fifth trip into this area and have yet to encounter another vehicle.

We set up camp alongside the road near the closed 4x4 road that would be our route the next day.

Dawn.

Our objective was about four miles to the South. The road was closed in 1994 when the area was declared wilderness.

As we were walking along the old jeep road Jo Ann spotted this .50 caliber shell casing. Interestingly she found it again on our return.

After 1 1/2 miles we cached water.

The jeep road disappeared where it entered the wash.

But there were many well trod burro trails to use.

While we stopped for a break Bosco, sans backpack, remained alert watching for burros.

After a few minutes he relaxed in resignation that burro chasing was not permitted.

Looking back on our route. Several times during our hike I lamented the fact that years ago a friend had suggested that we drive in and visit this cabin. Assuming that there would be many opportunities in the future I declined. Now I trudged up a canyon that we could have driven just a few decades before.

In the upper reaches of the canyon we found the first relic of habitation.

Soon we sighted the cabin.

Sad to see the cabin in such poor condition.
The log book told of a snug, well kept dwelling that was used often for decades.

Last entry in log book.
Interesting account of a visit to the cabin in 1979 can be found here.

The condition of the cabin deteriorated after wilderness designation because equipment and materials could no longer be transported by vehicles.

The hill behind the cabin is encroaching on the back wall.

After reading all the entries in the log book and checking on the condition of the spring, it was time to begin our hike back to camp. (The spring was a small puddle.)

There were many burros in the area and their trails crisscrossed all the hillsides.

Lost Lake in the distance behind our camp.

I dined on Thanksgiving leftovers while we looked for meteors in the night sky.

Sunrise.
Our plan had originally been to walk out to the Lost Lake playa on the second day but my exploring spirit was dampened by the thought of walking eight miles on a road that I could have driven 22 years ago.

The only section on the return route that might require 4x4.

Sections of the road are paved. Probably done when the microwave relay tower at the end of the road was in service.

We made a brief stop at Owl Hole Springs and discovered that the palm tree had died.

Road conditions improved after we passed the Fort Irwin gate. Kingston Peak in the distance.

More burros were sighted.

Hard to believe but in Death Valley National Park a person can ask their passenger if they want to drive over to the river.

No water flowing in the Amargosa River but on August 16, 1983 the flow was 10,600 cubic feet per second and must have been something to see. -wdr.water.usgs.gov

We continued on to Baker and then drove West on I-15 past Cave Mountain. Whenever I drive by this peak I cast it a friendly wave. Jan, Jo Ann and I were on its summit 14 years ago.

Storm clouds were forming as we approached Barstow.

Down Marble Canyon to the HIdden Dunes, DVNP - "past the rusting carcass"

2016-11-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

We drove North from Lone Pine to Big Pine.

Then East toward Eureka Valley.

We set up camp about two miles West of the Eureka Valley Road at the site of an old well.

Dawn.

Eureka Dunes in center of photo.

After breakfast we gazed to the West at the exit of our Marble Canyon/Hidden Dunes hike.

We grabbed our backpacks and climbed into Jo Ann's Rubicon for the drive around to Marble Canyon.

We turned East off of the Saline Valley road, drove down Marble Canyon and parked near the Easy Pickings Mine.

Heading down Marble Canyon.

A male tarantula looking for a mate.

The remains of a mining camp about 1/2 mile from the narrows.

We hiked past the rusting carcass of an old automobile and entered the narrows.

After exiting the narrows Twin Canyon Junction came into view.

The next nine miles would be new territory for me.

Some evidence of mining was found but not as much as before Twin Canyon.

We stopped for lunch near this rock and discovered that someone else had eaten a meal here previously. There was an opened modern soup can, with a partial paper label, resting on top of the boulder.

Bosco found shade under a nearby bush.

We continued on down canyon. This section of the hike should be named "Game of Thrones" because of a lively conversation about characters in the program that lasted over an hour.

Hidden Dunes appeared in the distance.

A battered hubcap from a 1920's Dodge Brothers automobile. We attempted to recreate the story behind this artifact ending our Game of Thrones conversation.

Nature's geometry.

We dropped into a wash.

Soon we were close enough to the Hidden Dunes to discuss our route through them.

We both were surprised to find this aged and gnarled log so far down the canyon. For some odd reason this artifact restarted our Game of Thrones conversation.

The sun set as we approached the dunes.

Panorama of the Hidden Dunes.

For our route we chose to hike through the saddle between the two highest dunes.

But once we reached the saddle the desire to reach the high-point kicked in and we hiked to the top of the dunes.

No human tracks were found in the dunes.

We lingered on the high-point for about 15 minutes but moved on as the daylight began to fade.

The moon was rising as we worked our way out of the dunes and through a gap in the rocky hills to the East.

We reached camp after three miles of hiking cross country, enjoyed dinner relaxing in our chairs under the stars and resumed our Game of Thrones conversation that had faded away somewhere in the dunes.

Dawn.

After breakfast we broke camp and drove West to retrieve Jo Ann's Rubicon.

I parked as Jo Ann walked the last 1/2 mile to her Jeep.

A short while later a black Rubicon was sighted driving up the canyon.

Back on the main road we stopped at an abandoned cabin.

Jo Ann found a tub behind the cabin but without evidence of piping or jets, it was probably a cold soak.

An hour later we were back on pavement and headed for Lone Pine.

Saddleback Butte State Park - "no ice was sighted"

2016-11-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

On the first Saturday afternoon of November we all drove to Saddleback Butte State Park.

The objective was about two miles away.

(photo credit: Shanzay Hassan)

Our group of Explorers was eager to start hiking to the top of Saddleback Butte.

About 90 minutes later everyone was on the summit.

(photo credit: Patrick McHorney)

The sun had set by the time we all returned to camp.

A tradition that always creates excitement.

Dawn after a chilly night in the desert.

As the sun rose campers started to emerge from their tents.

I photographed Shanzay photographing Saddleback Butte.

The McHorney Motel.

Irelyn was excited to hear that breakfast was being served.

Our Four Wheel Camper.

Later we packed up camp and began the drive for home.

No ice was sighted on the route.

Hacks Canyon, North Rim Grand Canyon - "a slow motion stampede"

2016-10-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Driving on I-15 about 40 miles east of Las Vegas we passed by the Ivanpah Solar Power Facility. "It uses thousands of mirrors (heliostats) to reflect sunlight onto a boiler filled with water that sits atop a tower. When the sunlight hits the boiler, the water inside is heated and creates high temperature steam. The steam is then piped to a turbine which generates electricity."- renewableenergyworld.com

Five hours later, after dinner and fuel in St. George, Utah, we drove South and set up camp in the Wolf Hole Valley area of Arizona.

Dawn. Frequent readers may have noticed our Four Wheel Camper on a different truck. The transmission on the Tacoma was kaput and awaiting repair so we mounted the Eagle on our big truck, a RAM 3500 4x4. Have to say that the RAM rides really nice with the extra weight of FWC and gear. (Although the truck is only around a quarter of its max payload.)

Speaking of gear. I suggested to Jo Ann that she ride with me instead of driving her Rubicon. She asked, "how much room will I have for my gear?" I replied, "We are taking the big truck so there will be plenty of room." The photo above, taken on our return to California, shows that Jo Ann took my reply to heart. However she might have exceeded the max payload of her Corolla. (wink)

After breakfast we drove South toward Mount Trumbull.

The road was muddy in spots from rain three days earlier.

The Mount Trumbull school house. Jo Ann had never stopped and visited, so we did.

Jo Ann spotted a swing set behind the school and was immediately drawn to it.

We turned East and drove across the northern flank of the Sawmill Mountains to the Antelope Valley Road.

(photo credit: Jo Ann Ward)

Bosco leaned forward into the front of the cab and was probably thinking, "are we there yet?"

15 miles after a turn North on the Antelope Valley Road we reached Hacks Canyon Road.

A very good road winds down to the canyon floor. The road may have been cut to access a uranium mine that was developed a few decades ago. Note: Many Breccia pipes in and around the Grand Canyon hold deposits of uranium above the Esplanade Sandstone in the Hermit Shale formation. - usgs.gov

Ahead Hacks Canyon turns to the left and Nates Canyon is on the right.

We stopped at the site of the Hacks Canyon Mine but found that nothing remained of the mine or its cabins. Looked like the mine had been reclaimed.

(photo credit: tucson.com)

Mine in 1948. The mine workings consisted of a 30 foot deep shaft, a 45 foot adit, 2 inclined shafts and over 200 feet of drifts and crosscuts. - mindat.org
A photograph of the Hack Canyon Mine Crew taken in 1985 can be viewed by following this link: http://www.mindat.org/photo-498901.html
Looking at that photograph brought back memories for me of working at a mine in Wyoming in 1980. The job paid good money but it quickly made young men old.

(photo credit: http://minedata.azgs.az.gov)

A Jeep with two occupants on the road to Hacks Canyon mine in photo from 1940's. Would have liked to have had this photo before our trip so we could have looked for the rock and taken a photo in the same location.

Soon it was time to continue down canyon.

A little more than three miles after the mine we reached the end of the road.

Jo Ann and Bosco hiked over to Water Canyon after we set up camp. Upon their return we prepared dinner, sat in our chairs and watched a storm front move in from the SE. The night was occasionally lit by flashes of distant lightning but the sky above us remained clear. Jo Ann eventually observed her requisite number of shooting stars and retired to her tent.

Dawn in Hacks Canyon.

30 minutes later.

After breakfast we hiked South along a well defined trail.

Is that flood debris deposited on top of the boulder beside the cairn?

Willow Spring.

Our maps showed a pack trail heading North from Willow Spring and climbing up a small side canyon about a mile away. We decided to investigate. The photo above shows one of the large cairns marking the seldom used trail.

(photo credit: Jo Ann Ward)

Some canine first aid was in order after I noticed Bosco licking his left front paw. Then it was time to strap on his boots.

Another cairn on the left as Jo Ann hiked alongside red-rock.

(photo credit: Jo Ann Ward)

Bosco styling with boots on his front paws.

We followed the faint trail up into the canyon until I suggested stopping and finding the upper trail-head during our drive back to pavement the next day. "Besides," I said, "we still have a canyon to hike."

We hiked SE cross-country toward the Hacks Canyon Trail and reached it in about 40 minutes.

Jo Ann called this location a tumbleweed graveyard.

Large cairns in these parts.

A few hundred yards after this unique little cairn we stopped at our "farthest on" about three miles from Kanab Creek.

Jo Ann and Bosco both relaxed with their boots and packs off while we ate lunch.

It was time to head back to camp. Our original goal when we planned this trip in June was to backpack down to Kanab Creek and up to the Esplanade. That plan had to be modified because I damaged my knee at the end of summer and it had not recovered enough to carry a backpack on a multi-day trip. I am sure that Jo Ann could have hiked farther but six miles was my self imposed limit and we had exceeded that by a couple of miles.

We ate dinner as the sun set. The knee was only a slightly sore after the hike. Later we listened to coyotes and watched for shooting stars until Jo Ann reached her meteor goal.

The moon setting shortly after the sun.

An hour before sunrise. The overnight low was 38 degrees.

Soon it was time to pack up camp and prepare to leave this beautiful canyon.

Driving up canyon.

The higher reaches of the canyon were still in shadows.

Back on Antelope Valley Road.

A few miles later we turned SE on a road searching for the upper trail-head of the pack trail we followed the day before.

A view of the Esplanade from above Hacks Canyon near Sunshine Point. Jumpup Point in center of photo. Jan and I were there in July.

We found the upper trail-head for the pack trail and were both surprised that it was signed.

The upper trail appeared to have the same amount of use as the trail down below. Very little.

Jo Ann scouted ahead until the risk exceeded the reward. We surmised that this trail was created for the original Hack Canyon Copper Mine and fell into disuse when the road was constructed.

Willow Springs marked on the far side of Hacks Canyon.

Down below was the trail we were on the previous day.

Our road's end campsite of the previous two day inside black oval.

At the top of the trail we found an old corral.

Bosco was first to the truck and lounging in the shade when we reached it.

We stopped to look at a map near this small herd. Jo Ann noticed that there was a slow motion stampede developing as the cattle mistook us for a rancher with something tasty to eat. Bosco was very disappointed that I would not let him out of the truck to play. (Once again his cattle-dog gene cravings would be denied. He doesn't know that this coming spring he will get to romp with cattle and sheep when we visit my cousin's farm.)

Headed for pavement.

Found pavement at AZ 389.

The navigation system reported that we would be home in seven hours.

Cerro Gordo, Inyo Mountains - "below the floor was a black abyss"

2016-09-18T19:54:00.000-07:00

We turned right, just before Keeler, onto the Cerro Gordo Road.

Our destination was about 5,000 feet above.

Driving through the narrows and the route was in very good condition. Later I learned that a county road crew had recently graded the road.

Climbing out of the canyon.

The last switchback. 100 years ago the view of the valley would have been a gorgeous blue because Owens Lake would have been full of water.

My intent was to surprise Beth and Brian and it looked like I accomplished my mission. They were spending ten days at the town as substitute caretakers and I had planned to visit the week before but had to cancel.

I set up camp near the bunk house and joined Brian and Beth for dinner.

The sun set behind the Sierra Nevada during Beth's delicious lasagna dinner and after that we sat in the warm comfort of the cabin talking late into the evening.

A morning view of our Cerro Gordo camp.

Brian asked if I was ready for a tour. I answered yes and he led the way to our first stop, the American Hotel.

The dining room now.

The dining room then.

The kitchen now.

The kitchen then.

On the wall in the dining room is a photo of Jody Stewart Patterson who bought a 25% share of the town from her uncle in 1973 and the rest in 1984. She died in 2001 of cancer and is buried in the cemetery atop the hill. - latimes.com

Next stop was the hoist house.

This piece of equipment must have had quite the journey from Chicago to Cerro Gordo.

The man who sat here controlled the hoist that lifted men and material up and down the main shaft of the Union Mine.

Large flywheel on generator.

The hoist man-cage. Below the floor was the black abyss of the Union Mine.

The hoist house and the town of Cerro Gordo.

Next stop the assay office.

Oh, to go back in time and see what it was really like living in this town. But only for a quick visit because life was tough 100 years ago. My grandfather, who was born in 1899, had 11 siblings but only seven lived to adulthood.

View of Cerro Gordo from the SW looking NE.

Relaxing in the Belshaw House until it was time for bed.

Another sunset at Cerro Gordo.

The next morning after visiting a bit with Brian we drove down through the serpentine curves to the Owens Valley 5,000 feet below and started our drive for home.

Lone Pine/Humphreys Basin, Sierra Nevada - "hammered us with hail stones"

2016-07-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

(Photo credit: Ron Pinkerton)

As the Sand Fire raged near our home I packed up the camper and my backpack and drove North to Lone Pine. Some might question how I could leave our home with a wildfire raging only a few miles away. We now live in the city and our level of concern is much lower than at our former home in the hills. (Note: Our previous home in the hills was incinerated by a wildfire in October of 2008.)

Sunset on the road to Lone Pine.

Dawn at our Lone Pine campsite. Clark and Jo Ann and I agreed to a leisurely start for our backpack to Humphreys Basin. After a half dozen setbacks during the day our leisurely start became ridiculously late. (No more mention of a Four Wheel Camper until the end of the post. Jan and I usually limit this blog to trips in our truck camper but the story does have FWC's as bookends. So, here are a few photos from a four day backpack.)

Wild flowers were blooming along the trail.

Late afternoon at our Piute Lake camp.

Looking West from Piute Pass.

Panorama of Desolation Lake.

Bosco and me relaxing at Desolation Lake.

Clark, the goats and Jo Ann leading the way.

Cooking dinner during a rainstorm is more comfortable in a FWC than a cramped backpacking tent.

Bosco at Summit Lake.

After an enjoyable four day back-country vacation below Mount Humphreys we packed up our camps and began the hike back to the vehicles.

We stopped at this lovely waterfall for lunch and that is when our little adventure began. A small dark cloud appeared over the peak in the center of the photo above. Clark and I expressed our concern about possible precipitation. Jo Ann confidently stated, "It is only a small cloud and it will blow over." About five minutes later a light sprinkle began and two minutes after that the hail began to fall. Jo Ann, Clark and I have been in many high country storms but this deluge lasted longer than a typical Sierra hail storm. For 90 minutes it hammered us with hail stones of many sizes. It was almost like the little black cloud hovered over us for the entire time and emptied all of its frozen precipitation on our location. A friend who knows a lot more about meteorology than I do thinks that we might have been in a "hail shaft."

The moisture from the storm highlighted the color of Piute Crags.

Bosco looked back as he crossed a slippery log bridge over the North Fork of Bishop Creek.

Jo Ann, Clark and the goats led a soggy march back to the parking lot.

To return this post to topic of Four Wheel Campers, we sighted one parked near our truck in the parking lot.

Between Crooked and Cottowood, White Mountains - "the helicopter rotated and flew away"

2016-07-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Driving East down the North Fork of Crooked Creek.

Left to Cottonwood Creek and McCloud Camp. Right Crooked Creek.

Posted: Washout below Deadhorse. No thru access to Wyman Canyon.

Near this location we stopped so I could investigate something found on GoogleEarth.

Driving through granite monadnocks.

Winding our way toward a flat near Sage Hen Peak.

After a steep climb up from the previous valley we reached the flat. (The transmission on the Tacoma made an odd sound of complaint on the climb up to the flat.) Iron Mountain on the left, Sage Hen Peak on the right.

Sage Hen Peak was only a short distance from the road so Bosco and I strolled up to its summit.

First page of the register. I counted 14 visitors in the past five years.

The view North with Station Peak to the right and White Mountain Peak in the distance.

The view South with the road to Dead Horse Meadow on the right. Twenty minutes later we drove over the ridge and began the descent into Deadhorse.

We stopped at an abandoned mine alongside the road on the ridge above Crooked Creek.

There was a curious mix of equipment at the site. Upon my return home I could not discover any information about this particular mine, although it could be part of the Jay Jay; Lava Cap Nos. 1 and 2; Sage No. 1 and 2 claims.

The view South to Deadhorse Meadow below.

Just after the mine and before the switchbacks I decided to turn around and not drive down to Deadhorse. The transmission on the Tacoma was still occasionally making an odd sound and when I considered how difficult it would be to extract my truck from Deadhorse with the Wyman exit route closed the decision was easy. (To retreat was a good choice because a few weeks later the transmission in the Tacoma was kaput.)

The route back to the flat between Iron Mountain and Sage Hen Peak.

The last half mile was steep and rocky and the transmission voiced another complaint.

We set up camp near Sage Hen Peak.

Sunset over the Crooked Creek drainage.

Bosco relaxed as I ate dinner while the light of the day faded into night.

The next morning I reviewed a topographical map for the area and discovered a cabin located in the Crooked Creek drainage at the end of this road. The gradient of the contour lines showed a steeper route than the one into Deadhorse so I decided to hike.

At first the road was mellow but soon became steep and rocky.

When we reached Crooked Creek the road turned left and followed the drainage South.

We walked past a large patch of wild roses.

Soon a cabin came into view.

Between the cabin and the stream was an old water pump.

Later I found a 1931 catalogue on the internet featuring a model of Smith-Vaile pump pictured in the photo above.

That old pump had to overcome a large dynamic head to push water up a serious vertical rise to the mine we had visited the day before. Note the PVC pipe. Someone had been pumping water not too long ago.

A poignant moment occurred as I thought that all the memories of what happened here were probably lost in time.

Interior of the cabin.

As I sat next to the creek eating Bosco jumped across to investigate what was for lunch.

We tried to bushwhack our way South to Deadhorse Meadow by following Crooked Creek but the path deteriorated and we gave up the quest.

We hiked back past the cabin and were soon at the lower section of the steep access road from Sage Hen Flat.

We stopped for a rest break at this section of the road...

... because I had the spot place-marked on GoogleEarth. When looking at the photos on GE it seemed that the vehicles had been abandoned, but they were no longer at the location and when examining the area I came to the conclusion that the satellite had captured a recovery operation.

The upper section of the road is pretty mellow and could lure a driver farther down into the steep rocky section. That steep section would be a challenge without a locker.

We returned to camp in the early evening.

After watching the sun set and eating dinner we retired for the evening.

Dawn on Sage Hen Flat.

Later in the morning while inside the camper I heard the sound of a helicopter flying up the canyon. A few minutes later it was hovering a few feet off the ground about 50 yards from our camp preparing to land. After I stepped out of the camper the copter rotated and flew away. I can only surmise that they weren't looking for an old tall guy with a beard.

After breakfast we drove over to the East side of Sage Hen Flat and started to hike down a canyon toward Cottonwood Creek. My map showed a couple of springs and it looked like we could make a reconnaissance loop through the scenic valley below.

The air temperature was warmer than the day before and Bosco enjoyed the shade whenever he could find it.

We hiked past several large granite monadnocks.

The first spring was dry.

We hiked on into the valley.

Found a faded boot print of a previous visitor.

When we had exhausted half of our water it was time to hike back to the truck. The return seemed to be the longest part of the hike, probably because it was all up hill. (Truck a little above center right in photo on far ridge.)

After dinner Bosco and I watched as night fell over the flats and ...

... the moon rose over Iron Mountain.

The next morning we drove North retracing our route along Crooked Creek.

We wound our way through the narrow granite filled canyon ...

... and stopped for one last romp along a flowing creek.

The upper drainage of Crooked Creek about one mile East of the UC Field Station.

Our route home began with a drive South along the White Mountain Road.

Montenegro Spring to Silver Peak, White Mountains - "deep inside a thicket of brush"

2016-07-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

It was close to midnight when we drove past the old entrance station and turned left onto a dirt road.

After driving a few miles into the forest we set up camp under moon lit clouds.

Dawn.

A few yards from the truck were the remains of an old campsite and a long length of partially buried drilling pipe.What is the story behind that? We will never know.

Looking around the area I discovered a road that had been blocked by felled trees.

Interesting concept of environmentalism. Cut down living trees to limit vehicular access.

The closed road continued over the hilltop.

We drove on an open road toward Montenegro Spring.

Near the spring we found car body parts.

But no engine, axles or chassis. Those parts were probably re-purposed.

On the hillside a patch of green looked like it could be a spring.

Bosco found a shallow flow of water.

We found another spring deep inside a thicket of brush and on the way back to the truck walked past an arrastra. The drag stone was resting beside the center post anchor.

Then it was time to drive on.

Glad to see that someone had cleared the road. After a few more miles we reached the pavement of White Mountain Road and drove north.

We set up camp near the summit of Silver Peak about a 1/4 mile from the towers.

Smoke from a distant wildfire created a golden sunset.

Far in the distance the last rays of daylight revealed Mono Lake.

After dinner, I read and Bosco gazed at the lights of Bishop in valley below.

Sunrise over the Owens Valley.

The route to our next destination.

Kaibab Plateau, North Rim Grand Canyon Pt. 3 - "skidded to a gravel flying stop just inches from the edge"

2016-07-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

After reaching pavement at the Grand Canyon Highway (67) we drove South and then East to Point Imperial.

Storm clouds were forming over the canyon.

We moved on before the rain reached the point.

There were fewer clouds at Point Royal.

Our first view of Angel's Window.

Looking through the window.

From Angel's View the very top of Temple Butte, the site of a tragic event, could be seen in the distance. On June 30, 1956 a United Airlines DC-7 collided with a Trans World Airlines Lockheed Super Constellation, at an altitude of 21,000 feet, and the 128 people on board both flights perished. The TWA plane crashed on Temple Butte and the United plane crashed on Chuar Butte a few miles away.

The view from the edge at Point Royal. Both Jan and I have memorable stories from our separate encounters with electrostatic discharges at this location.

Below on the Colorado River a raft trip was setting up camp.

A few minutes later a rainbow appeared over the canyon.

A closer look.

We left Point Royal and drove to the Grand Canyon Lodge for a visit to Bright Angel Point. Jan appears a little soggy in this photo because it started to rain as we were walking out to the point.

On the walk back to the truck we were treated to another rainbow.

The darkness of a foggy night settled over the plateau as we left the park and drove into the forest looking for a campsite.

Dawn at our camp near The Blowdown and another rainbow.

After breakfast we drove West through the forest.

As we descended in elevation the vegetation changed and the temperature increased.

Our destination in the distance.

Jumpup Cabin.

I walked a short distance down the trail into Jumpup Canyon.

Then it was on to Jumpup Point.

High above Jumpup Canyon.

A short section of the 10 mile drive out to Jumpup Point. The road is just rocky enough to keep your speed below 10 MPH.

View from Jumpup Point.

This is where Bosco almost went over the edge. He was nosing around the log on the left when a lizard darted out from underneath and ran toward the canyon with Bosco jetting right behind. I yelled at him to stop and Jan screamed, "NO!" He skidded to a gravel flying stop just inches from the edge. We will never know if he stopped on his own or because of our commands but it was a close call. No info on the fate of the lizard.

A look over "Bosco Edge."

Jumpup Trail below on the Esplanade.

We ate lunch in the shade of the camper with Bosco safely on his leash. Note: Bosco and I have hiked alongside cliffs before but I agreed with Jan that it would make lunch less stressful with him leashed.

A last look at the Canyon as we prepared to leave.

And then it was time to drive on to our next destination

15 miles later a sharp edged piece of quartz sliced into a tire. What are the odds of a rock sharp enough to slice into a steel belted tire to be sitting at just the right angle to puncture said tire. I must be an unlucky type because this is the second time that a rock has sliced into a tire. However this time we were much closer to a town than the last time it happened.

Bosco waited patiently.

As we changed the tire.

We had to abort our journey along the North Rim because we were not carrying a second spare and would need to head for a town and purchase a new tire

Fredonia was only 29 miles away when we reached a primary forest road and although gravel it looked like a freeway to us. Knowing that the next day was the Fourth of July and tire stores would most likely be closed we decided to head for home.

Kaibab Plateau, North Rim Grand Canyon Pt. 2 - "rain hammered the camper"

2016-06-30T21:00:00.001-07:00

After leaving Marble Point we drove on through the forest toward Saddle Mountain.

When we reached the Saddle Mountain trailhead our route continued on to a promontory about a mile to the East.

Looks like Sarah was here again.

Our camp on the promontory.

Rain over the canyon.

About 90 minutes later a large storm cell began to head our way.

The lightning and thunder moved closer.

We abandoned our campsite and retreated back into the forest.

And just managed to set up the camper before the clouds released a downpour. For about three hours the rain hammered the camper, flashes of lightning lit the forest and thunder boomed across the plateau.

The next morning we drove back to the Saddle Mountain trailhead and re-established our camp.

Another view of the Canyon from our North Rim camp.

Later in the morning Bosco and I hiked the Saddle Mountain Trail.

It was hot and humid and shade was scarce.

Discovered a summit register on Peak 8881.

We hiked on toward a forested flat about two miles in on the trail.

View Southeast toward Seiber Point.

On the way back to camp another storm formed over the canyon and started to head in our direction.

I hustled down the trail with Bosco moving a lot faster than me.

About an hour after Bosco and I returned the storm hit and we spent most of the evening in the camper.

The next morning shortly after breaking camp we sighted this couple.
Then it was on to the next part of our North Rim trek.

Kaibab Plateau, North Rim Grand Canyon - "the blazing hot desert"

2016-06-29T20:53:00.000-07:00

Our camp in the Kaibab National Forest north of Grand Canyon National Park. We arrived here around 2AM after driving across the Mojave at night because of the blazing hot desert daytime temperature. At 11PM when we drove through Las Vegas the temperature was 96º.

In the morning we enjoyed cloudy skies and a cool breeze.

It was wonderful to be in cooler weather but soon it was time to pack up camp and drive on to our original destination.

Our route was along a very straight road that paralleled the park border.

For miles the road traveled in a straight line with the boundary about 100 feet to the south.

Eventually we turned North on another equally straight road.

And then a right turn through the forest to reach our destination.

We set up camp at the edge of the forest.

Looking Southeast toward the canyon.

Bosco and I hiked out to the point.

We stumbled across this survey marker on our stroll.

Marble Canyon from Marble Point.

As Bosco and I returned to camp rain clouds were forming.

Soon they were headed our way. About ten minutes after this photo hail and rain pummeled our camp.

After the storm a rainbow appeared over the canyon. The remainder of the afternoon and evening was calm and cool.

Early morning on the North Rim.

After a leisurely breakfast it was time to move on to another campsite.

We made a quick stop to hike down into Marble Sinkhole.

This ancient sinkhole was about 40 feet deeper than the surrounding terrain and showed evidence of development.

We drove on through the forest.

Papoose Flat, INF - "it became steeper and rockier"

2016-06-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

Papoose Flat was our destination because Jan had never been there and she wanted to see it. The fact that the flat was over 8,000 feet was a plus because we were looking for cooler temperatures.

Devil's Gate.

The road to Papoose Flat began here.

One of the many cacti in bloom.

As the road climbed up the ridgeline it became steeper and rockier.

When we passed through this narrow gate the rocky sections diminished but the road became steeper.

After a couple of tight switchbacks we gained the top of the ridge.

In a few more miles Jan had her first view of Papoose Flat.

We drove East looking for a campsite I had discovered on a previous visit.

Soon we located the arch that marked the location of our campsite.

Jan and Bosco scrambled up to the portal for a photo.

As the shadows grew long we set up camp on Papoose Flat.

On a visit 15 years ago I had remarked to a friend that this would be a nice place to climb. So after dinner I decided to look for evidence of such activity. It only took a couple of minutes to spot a hanger.

Sunset through the portal.

15 second exposure with three seconds of light paint of the foreground.

As the sun rose in the East the moon set in the West.

After breakfast I flew the drone around the top of the arch formation to look for more bolts and anchors. The air around the rock warming with the sun was turbulent.

Bosco can't figure out if the quadcopter is friend or foe.

Scattered clouds formed over the flat.

Later in the day Bosco and I hiked away from camp to circle around some of the "erosional remnants of the Papoose Pluton that now stand as spires and monadnocks." - Esoteric jargon courtesy of AG Sylvester, UC-Santa Barbara.

As the afternoon ended we circled around one of the larger monadnocks and started back to camp.

Obligatory photo of vehicle through arch.

Bosco relaxed beside me

until he heard Jan open a package inside the camper.

The moon rose over a ridge to the East signaling the arrival of evening.

Sunset highlighted clouds in the Wave of the Sierra Nevada.

15 second exposure of Papoose Flat in the moonlight.

Dawn and a few hours later we packed up camp and drove south.

We decided to take the 4x4 road south to Badger Flat and Mazourka Canyon.

The road south out of Papoose Flat climbed the ridge ahead.

The only difficult portion of the road was a rocky 100 yard climb.

The traction was good as we drove up the ridge. It was just a matter of finding the right line.

We motored across an unnamed valley.

And then up and over another ridge.

Many wildflowers were still in bloom along the road.

The end of the 4x4 road at Badger Flat.

We drove across Badger Flat and set up camp on the southern shoulder of Mazourka Peak.

Dawn.

Our route down Mazourka Canyon.