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Archived Newsletter |
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May 2003
For more trip information, see TRIPS. |
CONTENTS |
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BUTTES PASS / BORREGO BADLANDS On Friday April 11, we met the Rices at Peg Leg Smith’s monument where we camped for the weekend. We headed for the pre-run and found a number of changes had occurred since our earlier exploratory run in February, on which we were aided by Jon & Dale and Dennis Sullivan. Portions of the trail were considerably drier and sandier. In one wash the sand had drifted in so deep that it closed off the original trail, forcing us to drive out of the wash and around the drift before we could drop back into the wash. Down near the Slot, the park had closed off the main face of the Borrego Mountain drop off for "habitat restoration", leaving only the far side route which had gotten rougher. While we did go down this route on the pre-run, we decided not to go this way during the main run and to come up to the Slot from the bottom. On Saturday April 12, we met at the Christmas Circle and discovered that all of Borrego Springs was in a festive mood and had gathered at the Circle. There was an antique car show and lots of craft and food booths. Members along for the fun were: Paul and Debbie Coursey, Ric AND Pat Jones, Jon and Dale Rice,. Our guests were: Greg Mottino and Carole, Milton and Donna Vogel, and Robert and Lucy Lloyd, (who hailed us on the CB just as we were about to leave) headed out on the run. The first trail we headed down was Inspiration Wash, with it’s lovely hills and it’s viewpoint. Then on down the wash where we had to go around the drifted sand. Further along, we took a short joy ride down the face of a small sand dune, and then past the Borrego Sink (You’d think with a sink and all the washes that our vehicles would get clean but they didn’t! Ed.) to Borrego Mountain and the Slot. We had lunch in the bottom end of the Slot (actually a fault) and most of us hiked at least part way up to where it narrows (the slot). While we were having lunch, a group of motorcycle riders showed up. They thought they were going to ride up the slot and out the top. After having it pointed out to them that portions were narrower than their handlebars they headed off another way. (Since we didn’t go around to the top of the drop off, it meant we didn’t actually go through Buttes Pass even though that was the name given to the run.) (False advertising? Ed.) While getting out of his Jeep at lunch, Paul saw a snake, but didn’t stick around to see what kind it was. After lunch, we headed out along Cut-Across-Trail to Fault Wash and Short Wash to Vista Del Malpiais, where we could get a great view of the Borrego Badlands terrain, which we had just gone through. Then on to Font’s Point for another inspiring view of the Badlands, then back to pavement. The run went well, with interesting canyons, a little soft sand now and then, and some great views. The flowers were not in great abundance this time, but there were some to be seen. On Sunday April 13, the 3 members that had stayed overnight took a half day trip up Coyote Canyon with it’s bumper deep water crossings and rock gardens. The wild flowers were more abundant here. Coyote Canyon is also a nice run, although, with somewhat more challenging obstacles, with the water and rocks. (Ed. This was Bob & Sally’s first time leading a trip for the club. They did a really great job, and also shared some facts about the area we were traveling, which made it even more interesting.)
MILLER JEEP TRAIL The date that will live in your memory, May 17th, if you haven’t done the Miller run before. I am in the process of getting my Jeep ready for the run and hopefully all will be OK and no problems will crop up unexpectedly! I hope to do the pre-run on th 10th alone if no one else volunteers to help me. With all the rain we have had the trail could be very interesting. Ric rates this as a 3-4 but it could be a 6-7! The first timers should know that there is a motel at the Flying J truck stop at Lebec (north of Gorman), and for tents or motorhomes we’ll be staying at the Lake of the Woods campground. It’s $15 a night w/water and electricity, no cable tv, campfires OK, showers available, snow, no extra charge! There is a good Mexican restaurant at L.O.W.’s and a café at Flying J. Or, if you have a hunger for pizza, just down the road from L.O.W.s is a quaint little place at the fork in the road to Lockwood Valley and the exclusive community of Pine Mountain. Betty and I had a pizza dinner there the last time we were up there and liked it fine. Remember, that’s Saturday May 17th and we will be leaving for the trail from Lake ‘O the Woods at 9:00 am! Look for a sign on the RIGHT side of the road to turn into the campsite which is LEFT of the road and back about 300 feet. (Watch the traffic both ways) To get to the Lake ‘O the Woods go north on I-5 past Gorman and get off at Lebec, turn left under the Fwy and head west. Gas up at the Flying J and head west about 3-4 miles. Anyone up for the pre-run? Jim Bays (562) 422-7644
DEEP CREEK CROSSING Starting May 19th the Deep Creek Crossing will be closed for two months due to work on the crossing.
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