Topic: Saturday May 7, 2011 - Anza Borrego - Blair Valley

[FrankB]

Let's try this one again.

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

Saturday May 7, 2011: This is a mild one, with probably more time out of the trucks hiking 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.

This route should be stock and even 2WD friendly the entire way, but I have not been out there since late Fall 2010 to confirm.

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. The cactus flowers should be in bloom too.

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 (Fish Creek), the vegetation is completely different, and much more abundant. I have not seen it, but I understand that if we continue on past the Pictograph rock for another 1/4 mile or so there is a nice overlook view of the Carrizo Badlands. If time permits we can also do the half mile or so hike to the Morteros, the site of an old Indian village.

Camping Saturday Night: There are several options for camping on Saturday 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.

Meet Time / Spot: Saturday May 7 - 10:00 AM at Blair Valley Primitive Camp, Anza Borrego Desert State Park, San Diego County.
Approx. 5.5 miles south of Scissors Crossing (where 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.

Reference:

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

Comm:

FRS Channel 5, sub-code 24
CB Channel 24

Let me know if you're interested, and if you plan to camp the night before. Also, anyone coming from the San Diego area is welcome to caravan out with me.

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. [/s]

[FrankB]

Like last week, I'll be meeting Chris, and anyone else who wants to, at the Chevron Station on the corner of Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road, in San Diego about 3 miles east of I-15, at about 8:00AM.

We can also meet people coming from other parts of San Diego County either in Ramona or Santa Ysabel.

Let me know in advance if you want to meet along the way.

[JakeCarp]

SWEET!!  I can definitley make it out on saturday. I might camp there on saturday night, but we'll see...

Also, I'm headed out from the 5 then down the 78, so if you want I can meet up in Ramona so we can caravan down to Blair.

[FrankB]

Jake, we can meet by the McDonald's in Ramona at about 8:20AM.  I think you'll take a right on Main St. when you come up the hill on 78, and it will be on your left. We won't be stopping other than to swing through the parking lot and get you.

[KickinTires]

Frank,
You can count me in as well.  I want to make as many trips out there before it gets too hot for the summer.  I'll meet you and Chris at the Chevron Station on the corner of Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road @ 8:00AM as before.

[JakeCarp]

Sounds good frank! See you there!

[Brian (#2)]

Would anyone be interested in running up Oriflamme/Chariot Canyon afterwards?  I ran it back in December starting at Banner and it was a lot of fun.  I'd like to try it going the other way but rather not go by myself.

[Pigcat]

Would anyone be interested in running up Oriflamme/Chariot Canyon afterwards?  I ran it back in December starting at Banner and it was a lot of fun.  I'd like to try it going the other way but rather not go by myself.

There is big downed tree blocking the road in Chariot Canyon but you can get around it by "treading lightly off road"  back and forth through a wash and then some manzanita and other bushes.  You'll easily see the new trail - I was through there a couple months ago - the storms may have made the wash a bit more interesting
Tom

[occupantX]

Do you know about the F-8 Crusader wreck not far from the Marshal South hiking trail (http://paulaxford.com/desert_wreckage/index.htm)?
The coordinates in the article points to here ( )

Another unrelated wreck reported at http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=06b8d8a2-a3b6-425a-8260-87e759fb1c36

Old reports though, dont know if there are any parts left....

[fleury123]

Would anyone be interested in running up Oriflamme/Chariot Canyon afterwards?  I ran it back in December starting at Banner and it was a lot of fun.  I'd like to try it going the other way but rather not go by myself.

 I might be . Have to see how it looks when we get out of there.  Been having some back issues so we will see.

[FrankB]

Do you know about the F-8 Crusader wreck not far from the Marshal South hiking trail (http://paulaxford.com/desert_wreckage/index.htm)?
The coordinates in the article points to here ( )

Another unrelated wreck reported at http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=06b8d8a2-a3b6-425a-8260-87e759fb1c36

Old reports though, dont know if there are any parts left....

I didn't know specifically about an F8 crash site, but I do remember that the first time I was up on the top of Ghost Mountain we walked out a ways from the home site over to a part of the top where it dropped away very sharply to the valley below. We saw what really looked from up there like some sort of round impact crater. We were thinking more along the lines of meteorite as it was really round, but certainly I'm no expert, and even though the guy I was with has a PhD in Astrophysics we were not sure what it was from way up there. I forgot to go look for it the last couple of times up there, but I think I will make it a point to do so on Saturday. I would like to spot some landmarks visible from the valley floor to help me find it from down there.

Will we be seeing you on Saturday?  I think my wife is joining this time.

[FrankB]

Would anyone be interested in running up Oriflamme/Chariot Canyon afterwards?  I ran it back in December starting at Banner and it was a lot of fun.  I'd like to try it going the other way but rather not go by myself.

Brian, it looks like one of the members on ClubXterra went up Oriflamme/Chariot Canyon in mid-March. She posted some pics and a little report on March 14th here:  http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=28043 

She didn't mention anything about a downed tree, but that doesn't mean it's not there.  Looks like the shelf road up is as rutted as it was when I last did it a couple of years ago.

I would likely have to pass, as I need to get home a little early, but if you can get some folks to go it is a nice drive. Otherwise, we could try it later in the year.

[occupantX]

Thanks Frank, I'm in... my wife wont make it this time though.  I'll be at the Poway Chevron at 8am...

[Brian (#2)]

Ok, I'm in and will be bringing Melissa along with me.  Frank, I hope you don't mind but I invited my friend Matt and his family to come also.  I've been to Blair Valley before and know it is a family friendly place with some cool things to see.  He drives a JK Rubicon though  

Matt and I are going to caravan up to Romona and meet at McDs, just like last week.  I have your phone number in case we are running a little late.

Also, can't make this an all day event anymore so I'll be passing on the Chariot Canyon run.  Wifey can only stay in the car for so long  

[FrankB]

Ok, I'm in and will be bringing Melissa along with me.  Frank, I hope you don't mind but I invited my friend Matt and his family to come also.  I've been to Blair Valley before and know it is a family friendly place with some cool things to see.  He drives a JK Rubicon though  

Matt and I are going to caravan up to Romona and meet at McDs, just like last week.  I have your phone number in case we are running a little late.

Also, can't make this an all day event anymore so I'll be passing on the Chariot Canyon run.  Wifey can only stay in the car for so long  

Brian, no problem at all inviting friends . . . and it doesn't matter what they drive. I don't get wrapped up in brand stuff.  See you in Ramona. Watch for an Atomic Orange (you'll know it when you see it) Xterra as well, he'll be meeting there too.