DonTom

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ziplock said:
Way too cool!

Keep us updated if you see anything interesting today!
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Saw a few things on my hike to Victoria Mine today, but everything was way too fast to get a photo of. I even saw a Desert Kangaroo Rat (which are usually only seen at night) under a dark shady tree that jumped into its nearby hole. But those are interesting. They mainly only eat dry seed and have no use for water. They look very clean, unlike house mice and rats.

Back in the 1970's I was out here camping in the summer on top of a sleeping bag (too hot at night to get inside!) and had one walk across my face in the middle of the night, which woke me up. I was able to see it under the bright moonlight and stars.

Nobody else was here then, but the park was open. Tent camping is behind the RVs sections here. Small RVs can be there also, but no generators are allowed to be used in that area--at any time.

I also saw a whole bunch more of side-blotched lizards today, but none would stick around for a photo.

It was a perfect day for the hike.

I will post a few photos in another thread in a few minutes.

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
 
I just saw your picture thread.

I see you are leaving tomorrow.

Where are you headed next?
 
DonTom said:
Saw a few things on my hike to Victoria Mine today, but everything was way too fast to get a photo of. I even saw a Desert Kangaroo Rat (which are usually only seen at night) under a dark shady tree that jumped into its nearby hole. But those are interesting. They mainly only eat dry seed and have no use for water. They look very clean, unlike house mice and rats.

Back in the 1970's I was out here camping in the summer on top of a sleeping bag (too hot at night to get inside!) and had one walk across my face in the middle of the night, which woke me up. I was able to see it under the bright moonlight and stars.

Nobody else was here then, but the park was open. Tent camping is behind the RVs sections here. Small RVs can be there also, but no generators are allowed to be used in that area--at any time.

I also saw a whole bunch more of side-blotched lizards today, but none would stick around for a photo.

It was a perfect day for the hike.

I will post a few photos in another thread in a few minutes.

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
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The mine hike sounds like a must do, a loop or in and out, how far to mine?
Is water there for filling camper good water or ? We are spoiled with good Montana water and learning about this Arizona water. However, we have found some National parks do a better job with water.
Also... any good hikes outside of Monument area you would recommend... thanks!!
 
tanglemoose said:
The mine hike sounds like a must do, a loop or in and out, how far to mine?
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It's a round trip of 4.4 miles, 2.2 miles each way to Victoria Mine. I made a 6.6 mile hike out of it by also going to the Senita Basin. There are many hiking trails here.
tanglemoose said:
Is water there for filling camper good water or
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There is a dump station with water (including for fresh water) here at the park, but it's all at a central location that you will have to take your RV to.

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
 
My very last hike here until I come here again in perhaps November or so. I leave here in the morning.

I left early (just before sunset) for my one-mile night hike. I took my camera and hiked a half mile into the sunset on the Victoria Mine Trail and then did full Campground Perimeter Trail in the dark. Nobody else on any of the trails. Not many do night hikes.

I think this is my best Sunset photo here so far:

Sunset1.JPG

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
 
DonTom said:
My very last hike here until I come here again in perhaps November or so. I leave here in the morning.

I left early (just before sunset) for my one-mile night hike. I took my camera and hiked a half mile into the sunset on the Victoria Mine Trail and then did full Campground Perimeter Trail in the dark. Nobody else on any of the trails. Not many do night hikes.

I think this is my best Sunset photo here so far:

View attachment 151804

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
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Awesome photo Don.
 
DonTom said:
My very last hike here until I come here again in perhaps November or so. I leave here in the morning.

I left early (just before sunset) for my one-mile night hike. I took my camera and hiked a half mile into the sunset on the Victoria Mine Trail and then did full Campground Perimeter Trail in the dark. Nobody else on any of the trails. Not many do night hikes.

I think this is my best Sunset photo here so far:



-Don- OPCNM, AZ
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I know you are experienced and being careful, but be careful. There was a guy last year went on a short hike near his house - Like 1/2 mile. Fell broke a hip and wasn't found for 2 days. Daughter didn't hear from him and did a wellness check. Saw the car etc. and called for a search.

At least leave a note on your door or something.

I did SAR in the 80's in the California desert - It's amazing the kind of trouble people get into very close to home, especially in the desert.
 
Ex-Calif said:
I know you are experienced and being careful, but be careful. There was a guy last year went on a short hike near his house - Like 1/2 mile. Fell broke a hip and wasn't found for 2 days. Daughter didn't hear from him and did a wellness check. Saw the car etc. and called for a search.

At least leave a note on your door or something.

I did SAR in the 80's in the California desert - It's amazing the kind of trouble people get into very close to home, especially in the desert.
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I normally take my Spot Messenger and inReach with me, so all I would need to be able to do is press a button. However, yesterday, I only took my camera and also went farther out in the desert than I expected to on the Victora Mine Trail, so last night, I was living extra dangerously :cautious:.

-Don- OPCNM, AZ
 
@DonTom

PS:

Thanks for letting hubby and I ride along" SORTA "on your trip to the East coast and back.

We enjoyed it!

Waving at you!:)
 
Have you been to KOFA Wildlife Preserve ? Lots of camping and back roads in you can do rough roads on your bike. Palm Canyon or King Valley Road have good spots for boondocking.
 
DonTom said:
I hope you each enjoyed it as much as I did.

When are you going on your next trip so I can go with you in the same way?

Go far enough west and we can meet for real!

BTW, AZ has lousy roads down here too! But the roads turn to perfect (freshly paved) right at the CA border!

-Don- I am here, in CA
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Not at Winterhaven after crossing Colorado from Yuma.
 
ziplock said:
How long will the drive home take?
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Less time than I expected. I am now in the Denny's Restaurant in the Tehachapi Mountains. Today, I will do more than 700 miles. I left at sunup and will be driving in the dark to the next rest stop for the night. I should be home in Auburn, CA tomorrow.

Today's drive ended up being my longest drive on this entire trip and by quite a bit.

-Don- Tehachapi, CA
 
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