December 11&12th, 2010
Since December will be the last month to traverse Carrizo Mountain until June of 2011 due to the seasonal bighorn sheep closure, I’m planning on camping near the summit over the weekend of the 11th and 12th of that month. Along with exploring other old mining roads atop the mountain, I would also like to explore more of the Yuha Desert, such as the fossilized oyster beds and hunt for petrified wood in the nearby areas.
Perhaps some who weren’t able to experience these regions during the recent 2010 BorregoFest event will now be able to do so. I’ll update this post and add additional information as folks show an interest in this. Since I work very late during the week, I’m inclined to meet up and head out there early Saturday morning on the 11th.
For those considering joining in, feel free to bring some firewood for camp. Also, since we’ll be on BLM managed land we will be able to do some target shooting and of course, clean up after ourselves. I’m looking forward to spending some time in one of my favorite areas of the Southern California desert and relaxing around the campfire.
Date: Sat. December 11th, 2010
Meeting location: Carl's Jr. 1263 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA 91901
Meeting Time: 6:00am
Departure Time: 6:30am
CB Channel: 32
To get there: Take I-8 east to the Ocotillo exit north. Turn east on Even Hewes Highway (S80) and continue about 4.2 miles to Painted Gorge Road, on the left.
This trail is a strong moderate to a light difficult rating due to the shelf roads and loose shale-covered terrain. A stock 4x4 can make the trip but a novice driver may be a bit nervous. Painted Gorge provides some of the most wonderful geology to be seen in Southern California. Desert USA has the following to say about Painted Gorge, "The Painted Gorge, located on the eastern side of the Coyote Mountains, consists of sedimentary, metamorphic and ingenious rocks. Heat and movement over time has created fantastic shapes and colors. Oranges, reds, purples, and mauves mixed with browns and blacks create a palette of color as the sun illuminates and plays shadows upon this geologic wonder called the Painted Gorge." The begining of the trail passes through Plaster City OHV Area into a wide open area. The graded road soon becomes a trail as it nears the sandy wash of Painted Gorge and quickly enters the canyon. Embedded rocks litter the wash, which eventually turns into a very narrow, rocky, loose shelf road as it nears the summit of Carrizo Mountain. There are great views of the Yuha Desert and Salton Sea along this trail.
The Yuha Desert of extreme Southern California is rich in both human and natural history. The area contains several unique attractions; the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, geoglyphs created by Native Americans, an area of rare crucifixion thorns, oyster shell beds, and the Yuha Well. The Yuha Desert is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and is a limited use area. Please observe all posted signs. Routes traverse a variety of terrain, from flat desert pavement to sandy washes, to mud hills and other badlands type features.
