Black Mountain Trek, CA (3/31-4/2) Trip Report [Archive]

flyingwil

04-03-2006, 01:31 AM

Here's some pics:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0730.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0732.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0733.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0738.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0741.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0787.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0799.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0810.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0802.jpg

Scott Brady

04-03-2006, 03:22 AM

A nice "mini" adventure with a relaxed pace and time for hiking and even some Go. The geology of the area was impressive, and having the Colorado River close was even better.

http://www.expeditionswest.com/adventures/2006/black_mountain/leader.JPG

Great time with friends!

flyingwil

04-03-2006, 03:55 AM

It was a great "Mini" adventure. We had a lot of fun, and shared some great stories around the :campfire: Wendy was pleased to see Ann and Srisuda, but was prepared to be the only female. The black mountains, were beautiful coming in and the roads were easy. I got some good testing done on the TwoZone, a have a few others in the works up my sleeve. The Picacho State Rec. offers plenty of hiking opportunities along with some spectacular views. One of which was the Imperial Dunes (aka: GLAMIS) to the West.

Johnathan- it was great to finally meet you and share in your words of advice. However, next time you are not allowed into camp with out your genuine Toyota Tool kit!

Uwe and Srisuda- It was great to meet some great people like you two! We might have to end up in Thailand soon? Also I hope the Uwe didn't turn me into a go addict. LOL. Srisuda, I do not think I have ever seen a better marshmallow cooker!

Mario & Ann- It was great to meet you, and Alex has one great rig! Next time your headed to your property in AZ drop us a line! Also thanks for letting us use your stove.

Chris- Ummmmm.... When are we going to Baja?

Scott- Ummmmmm... Can I keep this? LOL (see you on Monday)

whitethaiger

04-03-2006, 04:21 AM

Very relaxed weekend in the desert. As always, it was great to hang out with friends and make new ones.
It's also always a pleasure to spread the game of Go.

Here are some impressions (http://www.whitethaiger.net/albums/BlackMtn0406) I just pulled off Srisuda's camera.

Wil, there are plenty of great adventure opportunities in Thailand. I particularly want to go back and do more caves in the North West of the country.

articulate

04-03-2006, 03:00 PM

Hey fellas --- Very nice!

Wil, is that you towing a chaser?
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0787.jpg

After all that madness to get a spot on the trek, only 5 vehicles went? I should have cancelled my plans to join you.

Who's Tacoma (if that's what it is) is in sweep here?
http://www.whitethaiger.net/albums/BlackMtn0406/L_IMG_4000s.jpg

Cheers!
Mark

datrupr

04-03-2006, 03:03 PM

Great pics everyone. Thanks for sharing and posting up so quickly after the trip. I can't wait to see more and read the trip report. Thanks again everyone.

Jonathan Hanson

04-03-2006, 03:21 PM

As the freeloader along on this trip (I rode with Scott but did do most of the driving), I had a sweet deal. Great meals cooked for me by Scott:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/Salmondinner.jpg

. . . and Chris:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/chorizo.jpg

Nice scenery too:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/chocolatecamp.jpg

However, don't think it was all easy for me. Here:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/coffeecup.jpg

. . . is a picture of my lonely, eeeeeeeempty coffee cup sitting in full morning sunshine, waiting for someone - ANYONE? - in the background to wake up and put the kettle on!

whitethaiger

04-03-2006, 03:27 PM

...
After all that madness to get a spot on the trek, only 5 vehicles went? I should have cancelled my plans to join you.
...

Yep, you should have :)

...
Who's Tacoma (if that's what it is) is in sweep here?
...

You don't recognize the legendary, one of a kind, everyone-would-like-to-have-one-like-that Taco???:eek:

articulate

04-03-2006, 03:56 PM

Yep, you should have :)

You don't recognize the legendary, one of a kind, everyone-would-like-to-have-one-like-that Taco???:eek:

:xxrotflma
Well, um...no. It's hidden behind a creosote bush. :confused:

Edit: DUH!!! The one and only bajataco

Nevermind the idiot in the corner.....
:)
Mark

whitethaiger

04-03-2006, 04:45 PM

:xxrotflma
Well, um...no. It's hidden behind a creosote bush. :confused:

Edit: DUH!!! The one and only bajataco
...

:victory::luxhello::clapsmile

elcoyote

04-03-2006, 08:28 PM

What a good time! Nice, easy and relaxing, not a drop of adrenaline spilt. Man we needed that! Thanks to everyone for such a hospitable good time.

Hey Jonathon has almost got the Zen camping thing down...now only if he could muster the Gods for a short little earth trembler at sunrise to get the coffee kettles going :chowtime:

I'm still chuckling about Wil's bengal tiger story....oh yeah, and the continuing saga of the Baja Taco mouse infestation...:)

We're looking forward to the next trip to parts unknown. I would really like to pursue the idea we were throwing out there of a paddle trip through the Cibola & Picacho Reserves...some remote beach camps and slipping silently through the water amongst the birds sounds great! Jonathon, I'll make coffee, I promise :bowdown:

Steve Curren

04-03-2006, 08:52 PM

With all the beautiful picutures and the writings I am chomping at the bit to get into the desert and set up the Chaser for a few days. I am planning on getting into the local mountains this summer to escape the people and heat, hope the dog likes the mountains.
Thanks to all for the interesting thread.:bowdown:
Steve Curren

:gunt:

Brian McVickers

04-03-2006, 09:05 PM

Mario,

Nice job on the YELLOW Chaser.
It turned out great!!!:bowdown: :clapsmile

BajaTaco

04-04-2006, 02:52 AM

Hey, great pics and comments everyone! I agree... nice relaxing weekend (ahhh! :) ). It was cool to be able to do two hikes in one day.

LMAO at the coffee cup pic from Jonathan... :xxrotflma hopefully I made up for the wait with the breakfast :chowtime:

A BIG thanks to Al Walter for the tip on the Hyduke mine rd. as an alternate route into camp on Friday. Wow, what a cool trail! It started off as a fast/fun road across the broad plains of "desert pavement" (watch out for the vatos... I mean vados!) and then the massive monuments of Picacho and Little Picacho that were looming on the horizon got closer and closer. Eventually, there was a cresting of a high ridge that looked out across Carrizo wash, and then dropped down into the canyon/wash system right next to the Picachos. Awesome scenery and some really fun 4-LO action too.

Here are some of my pics...

A couple shots of the Al Walter route:

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn01.jpg

This was a nice little 40" or so ledge to climb
http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn02.jpg

Scott Brady enjoying his new glass, with the Picachos lit in pink on the horizon

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn03.jpg

First nights camp along the river

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn04.jpg

Another sunset pic

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn05.jpg

Alex's sweet Jeep driven by Mario and Ann of Adventure Trailer fame

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn06.jpg

Wil towing a Chaser trailer DOWN a rough hill

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn08.jpg

BajaTaco

04-04-2006, 02:54 AM

Mario towing a Chaser trailer UP a rough hill

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn09.jpg

Camp life with the GO board set up for play

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn10.jpg

Sunday morning camp scene

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn13.jpg

flywgn

04-04-2006, 03:59 AM

Nice pix BT.

LexusAllTerrain

04-04-2006, 01:57 PM

Is that " Chuck " playing on the table?

Camp life with the GO board set up for play

I do not see his truck!

datrupr

04-04-2006, 02:14 PM

No, that is Chucks nearly identical evil twin Wil.:hehe:

desertgirl66

04-04-2006, 02:37 PM

Great pics you guys! Looks like you all had fun and the scenery looks spectacular!! Love that yellow Chaser Mario:victory:

flyingwil

04-04-2006, 03:36 PM

Is that " Chuck " playing on the table?

Camp life with the GO board set up for play

I do not see his truck!

Nope, that is me... I still am working on dropping a couple (40) pounds. I think Chuck is skinnier than I am! Once the 40lbs come off Chuck and I will take over the world *insert evil laughing from Chuck and I*

Justin

04-04-2006, 05:44 PM

Awesome pictures. Those were some sweet sunset shots. Nice Job.

articulate

04-04-2006, 07:49 PM

DUDE!!!!! These are sweet pics.

http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn04.jpg

I think this one is way cool, too, with all of those crazy rocks laying there. Scattered about by some ancient volcanic explosion.
http://www.bajataco.com/blkmtn06/blkmtn08.jpg

Way to go!

Mark

Scenic WonderRunner

04-04-2006, 08:13 PM

Very Nice Indeed!

OK!.......now I have to go there........especially since it's in my backyard!

I saw somebody wrote about "camp at 4S Ranch". I can see that on the online Maptech I look at. That seems up a ways north of P. State Park.

Is there any way one of you could do a map with a line showing your route?

I would love to camp along the river and have a kayak or canoe to enjoy the river more....and explore!

Boston Mangler

04-04-2006, 08:15 PM

Nice Pics

Hey Mark, i think that is a different Black Mtn, then the one in San Diego!

I could be wrong but i dont think that it is accessible via 4wd.

I hope i am wrong, because i would like to explore it more as well.

Where is this guys? In San Diego? If so, i wish i had known! :D

Scenic WonderRunner

04-04-2006, 08:23 PM

Boston Mangler

04-04-2006, 08:30 PM

Kevin.....

It's out along the Colorado River......near Picacho State Park, CA.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/lat_long_map/default.asp?lvl_id=281

Head to the planning page for this trip....it explains where and how to get there.

When I get my truck out of Mr. Sucky's shop......lets do a group trip out there!....before it gets too hot!

~Mark

Gotcha! Very Cool! Lets go check it out, when you finally come to your senses and pull your rig from that destruction facility disguised as an engine rebuilder and bring it elsewhere! :D :D :D

Reason i asked is because my office is located right off of the 15 near the black mountain ranch exit. I dont see any trails around anywhere and the Black Mountain they refer to is more of a small hill! :D

Anyway, enough chat on a good thread, email me!

flyingwil

04-05-2006, 02:08 AM

However, don't think it was all easy for me. Here:

http://www.jandrhanson.com/jh/coffeecup.jpg

. . . is a picture of my lonely, eeeeeeeempty coffee cup sitting in full morning sunshine, waiting for someone - ANYONE? - in the background to wake up and put the kettle on!

Are you saying we sleep in too late for you?

whitethaiger

04-05-2006, 04:54 AM

calamaridog

04-07-2006, 04:00 PM

I'm still :mad: I missed this trip...

Oh well, another time:camping:

BajaTaco

04-07-2006, 04:49 PM

I'm still :mad: I missed this trip...

Yea, me too!

Thanks to all for the nice comments on the pics ;)

HongerVenture

04-07-2006, 06:26 PM

For those who played a little Go on this trip, here are a couple of links:

Interactive Introduction to Go (http://playgo.to/interactive/index.html)

Igowin (http://www.smart-games.com/igowin.html) is a little program that can play Go. Not too strong and not the best style, so don't play it too much, play some human opponents.

If you want more, this site (http://senseis.xmp.net/) has lots of stuff.

Well, I've found a way to waste my afternoon! Why have I never discovered this game before? I love it! It requires all the strategy and cunning of chess without the cumbersome different peices. It's chess lite, so to speak. I need to find people to play this with.

Uwe, you should start a thread just for this.

Joel

HongerVenture

04-07-2006, 06:27 PM

And on a thread-related note, this trip looks like it was a ton of fun. I'm truly envious of all you southwestern US dwellers. Nice pictures, nice scenery, great trips... so what else is new? ;)

whitethaiger

04-07-2006, 07:06 PM

Well, I've found a way to waste my afternoon! Why have I never discovered this game before? I love it! It requires all the strategy and cunning of chess without the cumbersome different peices. It's chess lite, so to speak. I need to find people to play this with.

Uwe, you should start a thread just for this.

Joel

I started a thread in the General Discussion area....

Darren

04-07-2006, 07:29 PM

Hmm, I didn't check out this thread until now. Looks like a grand time in cool places. Great pictures, everyone!

SinCity4r

04-10-2006, 10:43 PM

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_0738.jpg

I saw this Jeep/trailer at New York New York (in vegas) on friday night! Nice place to stay when the weather is great and you've got a fancy trailer! :D

Anyway, nice looking rig..

awalter

04-13-2006, 01:02 AM

So did anyone make it up Black Mountain from the Indian Pass Rd. side?

Jonathan Hanson

04-13-2006, 01:27 AM

No. Scott and I scouted the hill, dug in about halfway up, locked at both ends, and stopped (me driving). I was going pretty slow - too slow, in fact. We both agreed that another run with an extra few miles per hour would have done the trick, but that trying it with trailers was an invitation to trouble. I was doing a little threshold braking while backing down. Trying to back down with a trailer would not have been fun.

We've agreed to go back and climb it the next time we're headed across southern California.

Scott Brady

04-13-2006, 04:51 AM

Yeah, the hill was certainly doable, but I felt it more appropriate to turn around, and not make any other member of the group feel obliged to try.

It was a full 3.5 Rated climb.

flyingwil

04-13-2006, 06:32 AM

It sure would have been a challenge with out front lockers for me. :mad:

But definitely doable. With the two trailers in our pack it was best to pick the other route as we chose.

elcoyote

04-14-2006, 06:38 AM

I would have happily gone up with my trailer and lockers but I agree with Scott, it would have been difficult for those with open diffs.

Looks like Alex got spotted at NY NY on his way to Moab! He called me the other day from the top of Hell's Revenge, he said he was was taking a nap in the tent!:camping: Dang, he was supposed to be working!