Official Anza Borrego/Split Mountain trip

Yeah I have a CB!

 

Nice! When you get into the wash, try calling out for us on ch. 19, and if nothing, try 3, 6, 12, or 15. I usually use those channels on trail runs. Hopefully I'll read you, but there are some gnarly cliffs and canyons there so I have no idea what my signal distance will be like.

 

alright sounds good, is there cell phone reception out there?

 

It's patchy...I had full bars with AT&T in a few spots, but then 10 feet over and I had nothing. I'll PM everybody my cell phone number, anyway.

 

As long as I can some sort of temporary registration I'm there Saturday night!!! Can't wait

 

Yeah Wat channel on cb and or race radio we gonna be running?

 

I'm gonna roll out with mike89 and duckslayer friday early afternoon.

 

I will be heading out from San Diego, East on the 5 HwY around 6am Saturday.
If anyone wants to make a carvan or meet up down the grade Pm me or reply here I guess.
Would like to pair with someone that has a cb.

 

Sending out the prep PM right now.

I'll head out as early as I get off work on Friday...probably around 4:00pm.

 

Official weekend PM has been sent to everybody on the following list!

EDIT: It was too long to PM, so I'm posting here. Still PM'ing everybody to check this post before this weekend.

[The List]

JayDirt
PrerunnerChris
n0ms
Bo Rocks
csjumper2003
AMG4life
Socalduckslayer
yotanation29 - Maybe
BIGBADJON22 - Maybe
Deadhed61 – Maybe
magikbean562 – Maybe
Leoffensive – Maybe
Wholito – Maybe
Gelo760 - Maybe
mike89 - Maybe (NEEDS A RIDE)
RJALLDAY702 - Maybe
Jmarsh - Maybe

NEW MAP LINK, SHOWING OUR CAMPSITE AND WHERE TO MEET: http://goo.gl/maps/Ytgt

Okay guys, so I think we have a great group going out to Anza-Borrego this weekend! There are, however, some things I feel I should address for those who have never been desert camping, or haven’t been to this spot in particular. This may seem like to much detail, but the last thing we want is a screwup to end the trip early.

First things first…I will personally be leaving OC with a friend or two Friday
afternoon/evening after work. I hope to be on the way down no later than 5:00PM. If all goes well, we should arrive at Fish Creek Wash no later than 8:30-9:00PM Friday night. It’ll probably be too dark for me to search the whole canyon for those of you who arrived prior to me, so picking the right place to meet and/or camp out for the night is essential.

I think the best place to meet for Friday night is the “primitive campground” that is setup by the park service. It is located to the left of the trail, about a quarter mile down the trail after leaving the pavement (Split Mountain Rd). The trail starts out very wide and open, and then becomes narrow as you head into the canyon surrounded by the rock walls. If you’re in the canyon itself, you’ve gone too far. The site is marked with a few small brown signs that indicate it is the campground. It is not located in the wash itself, meaning it is on the higher ground to the left of the wash, just a few feet up from the ancient river bed. This campground has toilets and tables, but no running water. No reservations are needed, it’s first come first serve.

I think this should be our meeting spot, since it’s easy to flag down our fellow members heading down the trail. Whoever believes they are leaving the earliest, please meet us at this spot around sundown. I have included a link to a new map I created that shows exactly how to get to the campsite from Hwy 78. Please read the map prior to heading out, as cell phone reception is minimal and sporadic at best out there.
Okay so with any kind of camping, there are essentials you need to have prepared and bring with you at all times. Being the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, you can expect the temperatures to reach into the triple digits during the day. But don’t be fooled, the desert drops down to the 60’s at night, so being prepared for some chilly weather is also advisable. With these extremes in temperature, there are a few more items you should pack to be safe in the desert.

Camping stuff:

WATER, WATER, AND THEN MORE WATER…I can’t explain to you how dry it is out there. You need to drink at least 2-3 gallons of water out there to keep from dehydration. The air just sucks the moisture right out of your skin, even at night.

Food: Depending on how long you’re planning on staying with us, let it be just one night or until Sunday, please pack as much food as you think you’ll need. I’m probably going to stop at Subway and make a few sandwiches I can throw in my cooler for lunch. Roasting weenies and things of that sort would be cool too for dinner. I’m also going to bring some snacks and things like that for the trails.

Ice: Temps in the triple digits means nothing will stay cool for long. A couple bags of ice at the very least are needed to keep food and drinks cool. Nothing like cracking open an ice cold beer in the hot desert

Speaking of beer: Bring as much booze as you want, but remember…you still need to drive and it is a State Park, so Park Rangers do patrol the wash by truck and aircraft.

Fire materials: A fire at night is always the best camping experience. Anza-Borrego State Park says you can have an open fire, but it needs to be in a metal container so as to not torch the rocks and ground. Ashes must be hauled out with you, so we should be prepared for that. Our fellow member JayDirt is bringing 4 bundles of wood and a small galvanized container which should be enough for what we need including the wood that I’m bringing, but feel free to bring some stuff if you want. The more the better!

Tent: You need something to sleep in…there are scorpions, snakes, spiders, fire ants, and all kinds of other critters that can getcha! Or sleep in your truck…whatever works for you. Make sure you have stakes for a tent though…wind can pick up sometimes.

Camping chair: There are tables, but I always bring a chair with me.

High SPF Sunscreen: Self explanatory…you’ll burn in 5 minutes out there without protection.

Shade: Hats, sunglasses, turbans…whatever…something to cover your head haha

Clothing: Loose fitting light colored stuff is best for the day, and definitely one pair of pants and a jacket for night. I’ll be wearing sandals during the day, but definitely bring a pair of shoes if you want to go on the many hikes or go exploring on foot.

First Aid Kit: Always good to have with you anywhere you go. Snake bite kit wouldn’t be bad either.

A few other items you might want to bring: Camera/GoPro, Binoculars, Telescope (amazing view of the night sky from here), GPS, music stuff, flash light, gloves, bandana, hygiene stuff, advil, bug spray, extra lamps to see at night (it gets really dark out there).

Weapons: I always have my knife with me for an array of uses. Firearms and fireworks are illegal anywhere in the park, and the Rangers carry, so it’s nothing to joke about.

Truck equipment…always some essentials you need whenever you’re going wheeling, no matter where it is. The nearest store is 35 miles away, and I don’t even think they have auto parts.

Fuel: The nearest gas station is in Borrego Springs (about 35-40 miles away) and it was over $5.00/gal in March for regular. Make sure you fill up somewhere close to the park. Running out of gas on the trail is a nightmare. If we decide to go to Truckhaven, we can always stop for gas in town on the way there or back, but be prepared anyway. Extra fuel cans aren’t a bad idea if you have a place to mount them (always outside the truck).

Spare tire: Check your tires and pressure before leaving. The last thing we want is a flat without a fully inflated spare. Make sure your jack and lug wrench is there too (although it’s almost worthless on dirt and sand).

Fluids: Check them before you leave, top off anything that’s low, and bring extras with you. In these temps, overheating a real possibility.

High lift jack: It’d be great if one person had one…I personally don’t own one.

Tow straps: I doubt we’ll be going anywhere that gnarly, but it’s always a good thing to have with you.

Air compressor: In case you want to air down.

CB/Race Radio: I have a CB and PA setup, and it works great on the trail. It’s nice to have communication without stopping every 5 minutes to talk out the window. Check Ch. 19 first...if I'm not on there, I will be on Ch. 3, 6, 12, or 15. Say something like "Taco checking in at Fish Creek" or something so we know who we're talking to.

Battery jumper/cables: It’s happened to me, and if I didn’t have cables, I would have been stuck out there.
Whatever tool set you want to bring with you

Overall, I think we’ll have a great time. I know the area pretty well, and there is plenty to explore on foot and by truck. There are many little side canyons, views, and geologic sites, as well as some great hikes and scenery. Even some very technical routes that the more venturous can try. That’s what I like about this place…there’s something for everybody.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. My contact information is in the PM I sent you, and feel free to call me on Friday if you’re on the way, so I know who to meet up with when I get there. You can try calling me over the weekend if you’re planning on coming Saturday. Leave me a message if I’m out of service area, I’ll get it soon enough and try to call you back. Like I said, I’ll be looking for anybody in the campground Friday night. I’m driving a Silver Double Cab with a Bestop and 50 million foot CB antenna

-Matt

 

Why is that so long. I'm scared to read it. May make my head hurt... lol

 

I will have all the recovery gear anyone may need if someone it without and in need.
List includes several tow straps, chains, shackles, chokers, snatch blocks, axe, shovel, Hi-Lift jack, cables, winch, jumper cables, AAA plus membership!!!

I will also bring a bundle of firewood since temps at night could dip down into the double digits, brrrr.

I will be monitoring channel 153.110 on the 2 meter if anyone coming in Sat am has one, much better range. If you are CB only Matt /OP (Traveler) has already posted freqs.

Thanks Matt for putting thi all together, well done, now only if this high pressure would break down just a little by Friday.

 

Gelo760 let me know if you are going.

 

Is anyone allergic to dogs? I plan on bringing my pup

 

Most of it is common sense, if you've ever been camping before...but I thought it's better to be safe than sorry. I'd hate for somebody to be like "why didn't you tell me blah blah blah..." LOL

BUT YOU BETTER READ IT! It tells you where to meet us on Friday night or Saturday morning!

I forgot to mention a shovel is a great tool to have! Good to know you're bringing all these recovery tools, man. I feel much better knowing we have enough stuff to survive the zombie apocalypse!

And no worries, my friend. I just love it out there, and I want to share this little secret spot with my TW bretheren!

 

Weather.com says the weekend forecast as follows:

Friday - 97*F, low of 63*F
Saturday - 94*F, low of 64*F
Sunday - 93*F, low of 63*F

Winds from WSW at 10mph the whole weekend. Not too bad if you ask me!

 

Looks good!!! Way cooler then I was guessing.

Also I did read it. Normal stuff lol.

O and I'm not driving I don't care where we camp. Haha.
And I love being lost at the dessert you have the best time when you are.

 

Check NOAA weather also...

 

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClic...501953125&site=sgx&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text

LOL that hurt a bit...can't I just pretend it'll be 95*F and suffer? It's so much worse when you KNOW it's 110*F outside hahaha

On the other hand, a low of 84*F sounds pretty good to me.