DonTom
Well-known member
A few side-blotched lizards were out sunning themselves as well as running round.Any critters running around?
-Don- OPCNM, AZ
A few side-blotched lizards were out sunning themselves as well as running round.Any critters running around?
Way too cool!sunning themselves
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.Way too cool!
Keep us updated if you see anything interesting today!
The mine hike sounds like a must do, a loop or in and out, how far to mine?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
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.The mine hike sounds like a must do, a loop or in and out, how far to mine?
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.Is water there for filling camper good water or
Home, I think. In Auburn, CA.Where are you headed next?
Awesome photo Don.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
Perhaps around 15 hours the way I am going. Up to Needles, CA and then I-40 to Hwy 99. It will take a couple of days or so.How long will the drive home take?
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.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
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 .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.
Well, make sure you get on here and tell us you got home okay!15 hours
Not yet. But I expect to be out that way on my next trip. Perhaps in Oct or Nov.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.
I hope you each enjoyed it as much as I did.We enjoyed it!
Not at Winterhaven after crossing Colorado from Yuma.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
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.How long will the drive home take?