Anza Borrego update

sandiegodave · **Posted:** Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:39 pm

I was joking about asking for the locker back.
I saw the mechanics notes and it said the pinion gear threw a tooth.
So I was glad to see them change out the entire unit.
Also I think my next locker will be an air locker in the back.
Dave

bthomas · **Posted:** Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:27 pm

Wondering about the status of Sunday 3/12, given the extreme weather warnings from NOAA?

dirtykj · **Posted:** Fri Mar 10, 2006 5:42 pm

Extreme weather warning? Cool! I've wanted to do some water fording ...

sandiegodave · **Posted:** Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:59 pm

As you read this think it’s all perspective. At any time a bad perspective or attitude could have ended this great adventure and also your perspective is what you remember. Think happy thoughts and be happy.

Friday I loaded up my RV attached my Jeep and headed toward the desert. It was raining, windy and snowing in the mountains. Instead of driving the direct route thru Julian and over the mountains (1 ½ hours) I had to travel a longer southern route (3 1/2 hours). It was raining and snowing but we were lucky enough to follow a snow plow over the highest pass and across the longest wind swept bridge. I told Cynde that we have never seen the desert in a storm and it will be an great experience.

Once we got there it was a delight to see that Henry and Jean also made it over the snowy mountains. We parked our RV and the four of us set out to see the flock of owls. It was only raining slightly but we braved it and we counted at least 13 Long Eared Owls we believed the rest of the flock was out haunting it was getting late. So we decided to come back Saturday when the light was better. That night Henry cooked up a great meal as we discussed the fact that we were lucky to get over the mountain and maybe it will be only the four of us sharing the trip on Sunday. The evening ended with a great video show from Henry’s collection.

Saturday was overcast but dry enough to try short drives and hikes. We ventured out to Slot Canyon and hiked down into it, then a short off road and hike took us to Hawk Canyon to see a large rapture nest. Our last adventure was back to see the owls in a little more light. This time we were told about another grove of trees in the same campground with some Barn Owls. So we were delighted to see the Long Eared Owls and the Barn Owls. What a treat. It started to rain so the afternoon was spent day playing bridge and looking out into the rain swept desert. In the evening I provided the meal with some ribs, potatoes salad and Prickly Pear Pads. I thought this day was a great way to really get to know a fellow MTRP naturist.

We woke up Sunday to see the sun shining and hoping to see more people show up for the run to the tracks. In the distance towards the mountains you can see the clouds. My phone started to ring with messages but would not let me hear the messages. Then I found a spot to hear the messaged but I could not call anyone back. The messages stated that the roads were closed and it looked like no one could get over the mountains. We were ready to start the run when people started to show up with stories about the road signs stating the roads were only open to residents but they kept on driving. Also Hwy 8 was only open with a police escort. We waiting an hour and believe it or not we started the run with 10 people. It was a great run. The biggest problem was going home thru Julian. The signs and a call to the hwy patrol stated that chains were required and I did not want to put chains on my RV but we pressed on. In fact the roads were dry and clear but the wait to get thu the Julian stop sign was 1 ½ hours.

I can say that my run was a great success. 8 people on the prerun and 10 people on the run itself. I thank all of you that went though the trouble to make my run. I think it will be one we remember. I’m sorry if you could not make one of the runs. I do not have another planned trip out to the desert but If you find time in the future to take a run out into the desert just give me a call or send me an e-mail I would love to join you. I think with all the rain in two weeks the desert wild flowers might be in bloom and it would not take too much to twist my arm into another desert adventure.
Happy trails,
Dave

dirtykj · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:36 pm

Many thanks for putting this run together, Dave. We always enjoy every chance we get to go out together, and the kids had a blast.

According to the "eyewitness reports", the interminable wait was due to a wreck that had to be cleaned up. You were lucky to wait 1.5 hours. We got there earlier and had to wait 2.5 hours, with the fuel light on :twisted:

Next closest gas station was seven miles down the hills.

Next time I go out I'm packing the fuel can, period. Can never be too prepared. :oops:

bthomas · **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 4:51 pm

Dave, I was pleased to catch you in Fish Creek Wash of a gloriously sunny Sunday. What a wonderful day you must have had. I'd initially planned on wheeling with a geocaching group on Saturday, then catching your group on Sunday, but with the weather I delayed one day in leaving San Francisco. FYI, the geocaching group says they had a great time in the snow flurries on Saturday in Anza. I'll post two pix of your rig and Dirty KJ's when I figure that out.

sandiegodave · **Posted:** Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:16 am

What a great day to run the desert!
The Only day we had sun all day was run day..

DirtKJ
Enjoyed your family and I'm glad to meet another desert rat. I’m glad you made it out again to show your wife the tracks. Millie and Pete saw the chains required sign on the way to Julian and turned around to take the long way home (an added 1 ½ more hours of driving) and they were stopped on Hwy 8 for 2.5 hours. So I can’t complain about my 1 ½ hour delay.

Bthomas
I was just glad to see another Liberty off roading. That’s why when I saw your Liberty and you were hiking I put the LOST Bcard on the window. I’m always trying to market our club to Liberty’s I see in San Diego. I don’t have a GPS yet but I was thinking about getting one. Was your GPS hunt a LOST activity? If not what group are you in? Are you from SF? I live in SD but I have relatives in the bay area and get up there from time to time. Maybe we could meet on a trail up there some time.

Dave

padrino · **Posted:** Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:23 pm

Dave,

Any chance you might put another of these fossil runs (the rocks, not the old timers) together for say April or May? Weather would be better and maybe I could make a run during that period. Would love to see these rocks before they're gone!!!

Padrino

sandiegodave · **Posted:** Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:54 pm

Padrino
I'm always up for going out to the desert.
With the major rains the flowers should be blooming in about 2 weeks.
At this time I'm not planning an organized run.
But
March 25th my neighbors asked if I could take them out to see the flowers and the tracks.
Also
Any time you or anyone else would like to go just let me know and I’d love to join you.
Dave

CtrlAltDel · **Posted:** Fri Mar 17, 2006 1:41 am

Dave, glad to hear the weather cut you guys a break on Sunday. The pre-run was a lot of fun so I was looking forward to spending the day out there on Saturday but assumed after all the severe weather warnings that you'd be rained out. :roll:

Went to play in the snow at Mt. Palomar instead.

If you head out that way, I'd love tag along again. Don't need much of an excuse to spend time out in the desert. Maybe check out the mud caves, pumpkin patch or head over to Oriflamme Canyon?

sandiegodave · **Posted:** Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:29 pm

DaveS
I love to head out to the desert anytime a can. If you’re looking for a run let me know. April is starting to look very busy for me but do keep me in mind.

Last year I lead a LOST Desert trip thru Canyon Sin Nombre, to the Mud caves in Arroyo Tapiado, down Diablo Drop, thru Sandstone canyon, down Fish creek and for those that had time down the slot to the mine finishing at Hawk canyon. This is an all day run and you must be lifted to get thru Diablo Drop Canyon.

I would also like to see different areas of Anza Borrego. I’ve never been down Pinyon Drop but I would like to go with someone that has been down it before and knows a Liberty can make it. Also I’ve walked the road to the Calcite mine but I didn’t think I could make it but others have said a Liberty could make it. The problem is after splitting open my front diff my new diff doesn’t have a locker anymore. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the pumpkin patch and I also heard in that area there a natural steam vents we can check out. I’m not sure where Oriflamme Canyon is but a new area always sounds good.

Happy trails
Dave

padrino · **Posted:** Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:01 pm

Dave,

Your invite is most generous for the 25th. Unfortunately, we have a foriegn exchange student out for 2 weeks and taking her to Disneyland.

I'll check in once in a while and see if/when you've got something scheduled.

K

Anza Borrego update

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