East County San Diego....Last Min. Day Trip 4-29-07

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Attn. SO CAL members...................

I need to break in my new engine so I am planning a day trip for tomorrow. I know this is last min. notice, but I finally picked up my truck yesterday after a whole week in the shop of fixing issues after new engine install.

We will be exploring the hills around Jacumba, CA. I'm hoping to include in this trip.......a run down the old 1860's wagon trail that was the original route from the desert/Yuma to San Diego, dating back to the 1860's. I've done this trail at least three times now and the views are just about the best of any trail I have been on in San Diego County. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Yuma from these mtns.

Be sure to bring your cameras. And anyone with a GPS/map tracking system would be a big help.

We will meet up for a last chance better price gas stop, and caravan to the trail.

When: Sunday 4-29-2007

Meet up spot: Golden Acorn Casino along the I-8

Meet up time: 8:30AM

CB Radio Channel .......4





So far attending.............

1. Al Walter
2. Panamint Charlie
3. Scenic WonderRunner







(if this does not work out for you tomorrow, but you would still like to do this sometime....shoot me a PM and we can do it again another weekend. It's only 1 hour east of San Diego.)
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[Scenic WonderRunner]

.....................TRIP COMPLETE......................





Here is the start of the most Awesome day in East County San Diego!

Thank you Al Walter.....and Panamint Charlie!

What great guys on the trail! All the spotting and help with my "unlocked" 4Runner......lucky thing I could keep up with you and be rewarded with the most outstanding Scenic views!

......286 pics of our fantastic day in East County San Diego.........

.....click "slideshow" to make them bigger, or click an individual pic.


Al scouting out things to come!

The world famous Panamint Charlie and Al Walter....with the Carrizo Gorge below and tunnels/tracks.

Planning our next move out to the Carrizo Overlook.....at my favorite group campsite in this area.

Panamint Charlie posing near the perilously pounding trail near the Carrizo overlook.....in his Uber Kewl FJ......that goes anywhere....stock!

Al having more fun than a kid in a toy truck store!....hey Al...ya think this should be your new Avatar?!!:sombrero:

Things get really steep just before we get to the overlook. This short 2+ mile trail takes almost 2 hours. My fault!......no lockers, but I made it. (just 250 miles on my new engine!....they said drive it like you are going to drive it.....so I did!):ylsmoke:

I said steep....didn't I?

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[Scenic WonderRunner]

In the afternoon............

Charlie had to go home and flip burgers and spend time with the family....you have chosen wisely! I took Al down to the Saddle just above the old wagon trail to show him the trail. Al had to go home too and we promised to do the old wagon trail another day. I stayed and ate the other half of my double/triple bologna sandwich and contemplated doing the wagon trail. After a nice rest..........I heard that little voice in my head telling me......go for it "SWR".....you're not tired, you can do it!

So about 5PM....down I went.


Pic Nic above Devils Canyon and the old 1860's Yuma to San Diego wagon trail with views to the Chocolate Mountains and the desert floor.

Start of the old 1860's Yuma to San Diego wagon trail.......

Half way down, looking back up from where I came.....

I tried to recreate this pic from 1918 showing wagons and a car on this trail.....

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I made it down to the "spring" area where you can still see the stone corrals and a place to water the horses piped down from the spring above. The pipe is gone, but I guessed, and hiked up and found the spring.

Stone corral walls..........no wood....so they used what they had.

Close up of stone corral wall that could date back to the 1860's.........

Spring......retained by this cement enclosure...........water was then piped downhill to water the horses below.

Old stone cabin walls could date back to the 1860's........

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From BLM website:

AREAS OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN (ACECs)
Certain lands managed by the BLM, have been designated ACECs. ACECs are areas that contain significant natural, archeological, or historical resources. Please respect all signs regarding ACECs and their management.

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Since this whole area is designated as a Critical (ACEC) area by the BLM.......I do not want to post maps, directions and the exact location.

If you care enough about the area, you will be able to do research and find it......and then I know you will care enough about the area to help preserve it for future generations.

Thanks for understanding!

Let's try to always remember to study up on an area before we head out.


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[7wt]

Nice! Sorry I missed out on that one! I think we will have to plan on doing a "redo" very soon!

 

[calamaridog]

Mark,

You've gotta take me to the wagon trail before I'm gone for good. Sorry I missed that trip (I was in Vegas unpacking stuff)

How's the new motor running? COOL I hope

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Bryan,

The SWR is at my new Sucky Shop North getting the Overdrive working....hopefully! UG!

If it's ready by this weekend........I'm ready to head out again!

Or any other weekend for that matter!

I have some serious Jackalope Hunting to get done in Anza~Borrego before things heat up!:REOutArchery02:



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[teotwaki]

Great adventure! Thanks for getting the pictures posted for all to enjoy.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Great adventure! Thanks for getting the pictures posted for all to enjoy.

Thanks Jim.............

You are more than welcome to join me in the future. I'll be doing more East County Runs. And the Acorn Casino seems like the perfect place to meet.....and top off the tank.

Food....snacks for the trail.....cheaper gas than Jacumba!.....Slot Machines!:bigbossHL:

I'll post up another trip when the SWR is ready to head out again.:ylsmoke:


~Mark


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[rmarz]

Scenic WonderRunner,
A gas purchase at the Golden Acorn many months ago ( I never have gone back) had a descrepancy between the pump gallons and the receipt gallons. The store employee had no explanation and a call to CA weights and measures was interesting as there is no interest in pursuing an indian casino/gas station.

I really enjoyed your photos, hope I can tag along one time as I enjoy that part of the county very much.

 

[teotwaki]

Will watch for your future plans! :truck: