Topic: Anza Borrego - Blair Valley "Apple Pie Run" - Sat Nov 21, 2015

[FrankB]

Several people have mentioned to me that it's about time for another "Apple Pie" run.  This was a traditional thing in SCCX generally the weekend before Thanksgiving, but I've not set one up in a few years now.  For this year I was thinking of different location from the original, and thought we might go to Blair Valley this time.


Blair Valley Loop, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, with hiking to Ghost Mountain (Marshal South home site), Morteros and Pictograph Hiking Trails.

This is a mild one, with probably more time out of the trucks hiking and eating/socializing than driving. Blair Valley Loop is an easy 14 miles or so of mostly sandy trail, with 3 nice hikes along the way. We've done this one a few times in the past, there are picture threads in case you're wondering what it looks like.

Meet Time / Spot: Saturday November 21, 2015 - 10:00 AM at Blair Valley Primitive Camp, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County.
Approx. 5.5 miles south of Scissors Crossing (the spot where County Road S-2 crosses SR 78) on County Road S-2, look for the campground and vault toilet building on the left, just before mile post 23. The campground, and even most of the trails we'll be on, are clearly marked on the Auto Club San Diego Region paper map, on all Anza Borrego Desert State Park paper maps, and on pretty much all other paper maps of the area.

This route should be stock and even 2WD friendly the entire way, but I have not been out there recently to confirm.  That said, in the many times I've been to Blair Valley I've not needed 4WD or even felt the need to air down.

We'll start out driving the long way around 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 1-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 home site on the summit of Ghost Mountain are spectacular.

You can read about Marshal South here: Marshal South Desert USA

After lunch somewhere in the valley (we know a good spot that we've used in the past) we'll drive to the trail head for the Pictograph Hiking Trail, an easy 1-mile each way trail (some elevation gain, but hardly noticeable) that leads to a large boulder covered with Indian pictographs. This area sits at a much higher elevation than other parts of Anza Borrego so the vegetation is completely different, and much more abundant. From the rock it's another 1/2 mile or so out to an amazing overlook view of the Carrizo Badlands. On the way back out to the highway, if time permits, we can also do the easy half mile or so hike to the Morteros, the site of an old Indian village.

Optional Camping Saturday Night: I don't plan to camp, but there are several options for camping on Saturday (or Friday) if anyone is interested. 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.  Let me know if you want some specific suggestions or ideas. Keep in mind that ground fires are not allowed in the State Park, you will need a metal fire container.

Reference:

Wells Guide to So Cal Backroads & 4WD Trails, number 53, page 191.

Comm:

FRS Channel 11, sub-code 24

Let me know if you're interested. Also, anyone coming from the San Diego area is welcome to caravan out with me. Check with me for details of where to meet. I'll be leaving the area of the intersection of Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road at 8:00AM, so that I can get to the Pie Company main bakery in Santa Ysabel right when they open at 9:00am.

Please post any comments, suggestions or questions.

Also - Please be sure to let me know you're coming so we don't wind up waiting too long at the meet spot.

[JFanaselle]

Potentially interested for the wife, boy and I. The steep hike up to Marshal South's house is a little bit of a turnoff for the wife, especially if we bring Gavin (he's only 3), but I'm sure can make it work. Either one of us will stay with him at the truck to play around, or we'll take turns holding him while we huff it up the hill. He is a little ball of energy, so he might be able to do it all on his own anyway.

Also, just to clarify, where does the "Apple Pie" come into play here? Do you just pick up a bunch of pie in the morning and we eat it out on the trail during lunch time? If so, I'd like to at least contribute some $ toward the overall cost.

I've run it by the wife and we're a "tentative" for now. I should have a final answer for you by Wednesday or Thursday. Hopefully the turnout for this event is big!

[FrankB]

. . . Also, just to clarify, where does the "Apple Pie" come into play here? Do you just pick up a bunch of pie in the morning and we eat it out on the trail during lunch time? If so, I'd like to at least contribute some $ toward the overall cost. . .

In the past I've picked up a couple (or more) fresh-from-the-oven pies at the bakery in Santa Ysabel, and we eat them with lunch.  If anyone wants to contribute to the cost that is always welcome.

It does help to have a rough idea ahead of time how many are showing up, so we know how many pies to get.

I think the biggest turnout we've had was around 21.5 trucks (one of the Frontiers was really only about half there - long story).  We used to always do this in Fish Creek / Sandstone Canyon, but unless something has changed, this is also the weekend that the State Park Rangers hold their annual desert orientation for new rangers, mostly in Fish Creek.  Everything is "by-the-book" since the trainers are supposed to be setting an example, etc. for the new rangers.  That has led to some shall we say interesting encounters, and so I think we'll avoid Fish Creek that weekend.

[Jayrat]

Wish I could go, I work this Saturday , which is usually family day, could have throw the little man in the back carrier ,
Hey Joe check this out:
http://www.niagaracycle.com/categories/deuter-kid-comfort-ii-backpack-child-carrier-blue?gclid=Cj0KEQiA96CyBRDk5qOtp5vz8LkBEiQA6wx8MB5n2NGiITrhIlZFjOmLpZ5tz7ap6mD18wvR4L0RA1caAtCW8P8HAQ

It's come in very handy

[Sage Bromax]

My wife and I will be there, along with our two dogs.  We will bring the ice cream in my Engel (set on freeze).

[steve c]

I'm a big maybe.

Let me see how the work week goes. 

[knightrider]

I will be there, possibly camping if Jill doesn't come with.

Sent from my rooftop tent while stargazing

[Toro]

I'm on call that weekend. If I can get it covered, the whole crew and I will be there. We love that part of Anza and have stayed at Vallecito many times.

[RBduffer]

If it's half as nice as it was last week there, I might be able to talk Nilda into it

[occupantX]

Thanks Frank, I'll join in the fun

[KickinTires]

Sunny and 80, I'm down for this... 

[Toro]

Bummed,
   I'm a definite, out.

[Ghost65]

I'm working the big orange...sorry to miss this one FB. 

[JFanaselle]

Sorry guys, but I'm not going to be able to make this run after all.

The wife and I have been crunching the schedule and there's no way we're going to be able to make it between our morning and evening obligations. Please have a slice of pie for us.

[Jayrat]

Any Pics from this run ?