BorregoFest 2016 Wrap-up

[DaveK]

BorregoFest 2016 was a complete success. Many thanks to all who attended. Special thanks to:

• 1. Lynda Harman - the wine list this year was, by far, the very best. The idea of combining the tasting with the pot luck was the most perfect combination of food and drink.
  2. The run leaders - we enjoyed a couple of great off-road adventures this year and came back without a single report of trail carnage.
  3. All the contributors to the pot luck - the food this year was top notch and, as always, was one of the highlights of the weekend. No one left hungry.
  4. Weather - Desert perfect! Lots of sunshine, confertable temps, and comfortable breezes.
  5. Our VEs - Thanks to Larry, Hector, Roger, and Dave, we were, one again, able to offer Amateur Radio testing in a remote location.
  6. Hector and Larry - during our runs they monitored several frequencies to keep in touch with all those who left for Desert runs. The value of Ham radio for safety purposes was once again confirmed. Fortunately, all contacts with Hector and Larry were just to check-in.

Use this thread to post any comments, pictures and trip reports.

[lrsrngr]

Went on the Mine Run with Dave and the group...what a blast. This was a great chance to really get in a hole in the ground and do what you just can't do in most places. Each mine is unique and each piece of gear or remnant of the past tells a story that for some have long been forgot. One mine in particular has a history that continues to be told because the land still belongs to the family that owned the property when gold was discovered and life at the little ranch changed dramatically, at least for a little while! We were asked to keep the photos generic to protect this and many other gems so I will abide by the rules and only say, this was a great jaunt with some good food at the end of the day at trails end back at camp. I sent the photos to Dave and he can sort through and decide which are allowed to be shared although I will share these taken near the RR Mine.

The OAUSA Julian/Banner Mining District run group photo taken by K6DTK.

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Heading back to the vehicles after a quick walk and exploration of the mine with no name...

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[lrsrngr]

Unfortunately I did not camp over the 07-09 OCT, Borrego Fest weekend at the Butterfield Resort in Anza Borrego with the OAUSA group but I did make the mining run and it was a great trip! Dave likes to get his trail run off to an on time start so don't be late! First up filling out the forms and safety checklists pre-run and pre-run inspection.

Next up we head out with our assignments, K6DTK, Dave as lead and the rest in trail. Dave narrates a good portion of the information he knows about the different sites we will visit on this trip. A history of the area and a good overview of how significant the many local places and history all tie together what is now known as the Julian-Banner Mining District. First up: A little trip to our first stop and host. As stated above, this once ranch, gone mine, return to ranch had a rich history that is preserved by the current family custodian. The family has owned the property throughout the over 100 year transition. http://www.westernmininghistory.com/articles/526/page1

Rolling up to our first stop and getting everyone prepared for what would be a very interesting day.

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A representative view of a mine once found in the area.

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A small example of adobe used in the wall that once stood next to this boiler that has slowly deteriorated with time and moisture erosion.

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A visit from a Doe who only grinned at us as it crossed over to greener pastures on the other side of the ridge.

Doe grinning back at us.

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Photography, camping, off-road wheeling and the outdoors; kind of fit!

Mark angling in for the cairn rock pile photo.

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Next stop we see a few things that are worth noting. A seeping surface spring near the next mine where a rugged entrance makes the exploration of this mine that much more interesting.

Single lane road with only room to 4 point turn and reverse the line-up of the group.

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Dave leads the way.

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Reeds and cottonwood trees are a tell-tale sign water is abundant, either at or near the surface.

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Took us a little to get up the hill to the front door but we all made it all in one piece.

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Looks promising at first glance from the mouth of the mine.

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From vaulted ceiling to...

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...Narrow and low beamed mine shaft.

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[lrsrngr]

Hey, if this doesn't pique your interest...I don't know what will. More adventure, what goes up must come down...

Example 1.

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Exmaple 2.

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Example 3.

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Now on to the next mine that we seem to have explicit permission to visit as it was with most of the mines we visited. Point being, this is private property in most cases and unless you have owner permission you might find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time...like it or not!

Industrial sized equpment that more often than not is easier left in place than moved offsite once the job is done.

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Maybe they will get around to using it once again.

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Typical A-frame over a vertical or near vertical shaft.

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The scenic view from the passenger door of an old dump bed.

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Working up until it was parked where time and weather took its toll.

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[KK6GFF]

Amazing two days with great people and great locations. Thanks Dave again for organizing such a great tour to the Julian Mines, and to all OAUSA for putting together such a great Borrego Fest. Hard to pick a winner, but I'd say the potluck with the wine tasting was a complete success!

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[lrsrngr]

Moving right along there was plenty more to look at and with each turn there was an out-building or curious piece of mining equipment. Similarities in the equipment range from pulleys and flywheels to pistons and gears. Using topography to your advantage came out of necessity; work smarter not harder because there was plenty of hard work to be had.

Metal buildings definitely show times have changed and a new era of mines take their place among the old.

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Could not help putting this beauty in a second time. Potential, always look for the potential.

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More heavy equipment, gears and pulleys.

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Tiered building and odd roof lines are common.

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Holding tanks, troughs and feed chutes...

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Question: What is this building most likely used for and called? A "magazine" used for housing explosives.

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A crusher? A pump? What is it? I don't know.

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Separating the good from the bad, the spoils from the ore!

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Looks like they sent out the Navy to check on us.

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Smaller operations use machines like that to replace things like the arrastre.

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Kind of a lot to take in with living quarters mixed in with work buildings.

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All American cartouche on a couple of items at the site.

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[lrsrngr]

The route to the next mine was very picturesque and not something you would expect right off the road that sees several cars per hour travel by unaware of the back breaking work that went on just minutes away.

How about good sized pond near your mine?

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Remnants tucked under the shade of the trees.

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Kind of hard to miss this pile of rocks.

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Unmistakable cool air coming out of the shaft you could feel as you approached the mouth of the mine.

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Lights on, let's do this!

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You can see there is something special about the rock right from the beginning.

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The birds found it a good place to hole up.

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This was the deepest of the mines we walked into.

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Mutual lighting and the buddy system.

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This was nice...a full upright walk but there were a few places you dare not stand straight up because you will bear the marks of a ceiling too low!

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Must have been something important.

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Alright, break and let's get back to camp for some wine and grub!

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[lrsrngr]

So, we out-brief with K6DTK and we turn our blinders for home.

Dave leads us in a song while the onlookers think of the wine and potluck meal.

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When camping...bake a cake! Dutch oven cooking can be so versatile. Figure out a favorite from home and put it to the test in the great outdoors!

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This is how to get a party started!

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Teardrop trailer and the right towing rig to boot! Dare I say, "cute?"

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Spreading out and getting comfy for the wine and foodie share time.

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Have a question about wine? Let Lynda help with that!

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"Guys, guys, guys...show of hands, who likes this one?"

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And that's a wrap from KK6CTT. See you soon, have camera and Jeep will travel...

[Clinton]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting.

[Hmfigueroa]

Here is a sort video sorry I was on the radio so not too many video / photo.

https://goo.gl/photos/ExfMGsh3AmVi5DLV9