Anza -Sandstone Canyon May 12-13th

[SOCALFJ]

We are down for anything here.. as long as we know where it is. I think Stan said he'll chime in later today.

 

[rfjtoy]

Ok here we go:

Meet: 8:30 -9:00am, Sat. 12th hwy 78 and Split Mtn Rd.

Camp is up in the air: Ocotillo ( I have not camped there and do not know if need resv.? - someone in the know please advise) Sheeps Canyon is secluded and allows us to run Lower Cayote in the late afternoon on Sat?

Current list of Rigs:
Dave/yoshi - camp
Stan - camp
Scott ?
Brent ? - camp?
Reid - sat run only
Bluetribal? last min.
FJFORUM:
Jeshua - camp
Sandabb430 - sat only
Katfish (from AZ) camp if they make it
Chash3?

If I missed anyone post up.

 

[SOCALFJ]

No reservations are needed for Ocotillo.

Gotcha on the new meeting spot. My vote is for Sheeps Canyon camping and Lower Coyote trail..

What are the trail requirements for Coyote? It may be important to others to know.

 

[rfjtoy]

Coyote is doable stock, one rock climb, good spotting gets everyone thru.
So far Sheeps Canyon has three votes, you, me and brent. Still not sure if Brent has decided to give up 4 hours of golf for a weekend of pure fun.

 

[gon2srf]

Stan-

I'm gonna come out in the Taco Friday and camp in Sandstone Friday night. I'll be waiting for you guys to show up and I'm going to hitch a ride with you or Donna (FJ Owner). I've gotta be home for Mother's Day so I'll be leaving after that.

FYI-

I have spent the past 2 days stripping all the mods off the FJC. What a royal pain in the ass. However the insurance situation is going very well and I should have a check in a few days and a new rig in a few weeks, though I'm not sure how fast the gap insurance company will respond?

Back on topic....Don't camp in Occotillo..it's loud, quads and bikes running all night...hot and not that pretty. The Coyote to Willows to Sheep run is awesome and the Sheep Canyon campground is just beautiful. If the campground is full just look up the canyon further and there are some previously used primitive spots.

As for doing Sandstone....Fish Creek itself is incredibly beautiful and there many great stops on the way out to Sandstone. From the Fish Creek trail head it's about 7-8 miles to the Sandstone trailhead. On the left, there is a sign and a large pinnacle marks the entrance. Many people confuse or include the Fish Creek Trail with Sandstone. Fish Creek can be done in a lowered Honda Civic on a dry day but the last 2 miles of Sandstone get really narrow and there are some fun obstacles.. the final 200 yards (I've only walked it) require a lifted rig with full armor and serious skills.

See ya Saturday M

 

[e9999]

and once you are close to the beginning of Sandstone, IIRC you can also make a left and go up the trail going to the dropoff. After some minor bouldering, you can test your skills at sandy hill climbing...

 

[gon2srf]

and once you are close to the beginning of Sandstone, IIRC you can also make a left and go up the trail going to the dropoff. After some minor bouldering, you can test your skills at sandy hill climbing...

All the trail maps show the Diablo Drop off as one way and if you make that left your going the wrong way. I'm a bit of a rule follower...is that wise advice e9999?

 

[SOCALFJ]

Hey Scott, sorry again to hear about your rig.. hope all is well with you man.

Where did you get your map? I've checked out several sources on the net but can't seem to locate one. All i see is the online .pdf on the park's website.

I like to make sure i have a good map of that area before i head out, always.

PS, i dont even know why they call that DIABLO DROP OFF. The guy that named it must have went down it in a Ford Tauras or something. They should have named Heart Attack Hill Diablo drop off. Much more of a drop off.

 

[Slomo]

All the trail maps show the Diablo Drop off as one way and if you make that left your going the wrong way. I'm a bit of a rule follower...is that wise advice e9999?

x2 on the rig, sorry to hear but glad that all were ok.

Diablo Drop Off is just a big sand hill. I ran it up and down a few times and got bored. I watched an unlocked heep and geo tracker go for it a few times without luck but they were both under powered and the drivers didn't have much experience. Lockers help but airing down and keeping your momentum up a little is all you need. Not the type of hill to crawl.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

Sheeps Canyon is a great place to camp. If the descion is made to camp there, and time permitting, I'll run up there with you guys before heading home.

the final 200 yards (I've only walked it) require a lifted rig with full armor and serious skills.

Hey Scott,
Gene, Mark (Bluetribal), and I went up a little farther than we did. I know I could have gone farther, but time ran out and we had to turn around. However, from our turnaround spot, Gene hiked up a ways to scope out the trail. He said there was a wicked rock garden farther up. He didn't think we'd make it past that point. We were able to turn around, but not sure farther up.

All the trail maps show the Diablo Drop off as one way and if you make that left your going the wrong way. I'm a bit of a rule follower...is that wise advice e9999?

I've also read that it's one way and not to attempt to go back up it because the result would/could cause undo erosion.

 

[Slomo]

I've also read that it's one way and not to attempt to go back up it because the result would/could cause undo erosion.

Definitely wouldn't want to cause any undue damage to the trail. The BLM guy I talked to in Borrego Springs didn't mention anything regarding that only that it is for "experienced people with properly prepared rigs" and the danger factor. He was also quick to correct me on the term "off roading" stating that all trails in the area are "roads" and vehicles must stay on them at all times. I reassured him I always tread lightly. I imagine he is used to dealing with tourists and people who don't get in the dirt much. As I was leaving a group of built 40s and CJs were heading up Diablo. FWIW

 

[e9999]

as far as I know the Diablo and the other dropoffs are shown on maps as 1-way because most trucks could not go back up and they don't wan't people to get in trouble, not because of legalistic or environmental reasons. (And my recollection is that the 1-way arrow is only on the dropoff on the map, not the whole trail.) There is, however, a narrowish wash below the dropoff where you could not pass another vehicle (and could not backup very easily). It's only 500 yds or so, but has a few boulders. Then again, when I was there, I never saw another truck on that trail.

Going up the hill would be an interesting exercise. You could try with successively lower pressures until you can make it up all the way and hone your sand experience. I tried only a couple of times but I was still aired up and bogged down short of the top. I didn't want to bother to air down but have no doubt I could have made it at -say- 15 psi or so.

 

[SOCALFJ]

What sucks, is if you were there without a map/information, how the hell would you even know it was one way? lame.

 

[LandCrusher'70]

Hmmm. Maybe just "one way" for your typical park tourist. What I read was in a "Back Roads" book. In no way affiliated with the A-B park.

Is it possible to head out that way and hit pavement after running Sandstone? I've never been in that area.

 

[e9999]

Hmmm. Maybe just "one way" for your typical park tourist. What I read was in a "Back Roads" book. In no way affiliated with the A-B park.

Is it possible to head out that way and hit pavement after running Sandstone? I've never been in that area.

you could go from Sandstone to Diablo and keep going a bit and you'll get to pavement. It's a long way back to BS, though... Probably faster to go back up Fish Creek and to the SVRA.

Between the D dropoff and the Southern road it's just your basic flat dirt road and some sand washes. Nothing too interesting technically, but a very nice colorful canyon someplace on the way, forgot the name. Not as dramatic/narrow as sandstone, though.

 

[Bluetribal]

What sucks, is if you were there without a map/information, how the hell would you even know it was one way? lame.

Here is a the best map of the area LINK Or you can get it from the ranger station. My co-worker picked one up for me there for $9. It is water resistant and very detailed.
As one way, Diablo has no signs where as "The Slot" does have DO NOT ENTER WRONG WAY signs.

 

[SOCALFJ]

Thanks, i'll order one right now!

Wow, i didnt know that heart attack hill was one way either. We didnt carry maps with us last time i was there.
We were going up and down it.

We should tool over to the squeeze hehehe It's been a while since i've done it.. don't think the cruiser will fit!!!

Is that one way too?

 

[rfjtoy]

Meet us Sat.

Stan-

I'm gonna come out in the Taco Friday and camp in Sandstone Friday night. I'll be waiting for you guys to show up and I'm going to hitch a ride with you or Donna (FJ Owner). I've gotta be home for Mother's Day so I'll be leaving after that.

FYI-

I have spent the past 2 days stripping all the mods off the FJC. What a royal pain in the ass. However the insurance situation is going very well and I should have a check in a few days and a new rig in a few weeks, though I'm not sure how fast the gap insurance company will respond?

Back on topic....Don't camp in Occotillo..it's loud, quads and bikes running all night...hot and not that pretty. The Coyote to Willows to Sheep run is awesome and the Sheep Canyon campground is just beautiful. If the campground is full just look up the canyon further and there are some previously used primitive spots.

As for doing Sandstone....Fish Creek itself is incredibly beautiful and there many great stops on the way out to Sandstone. From the Fish Creek trail head it's about 7-8 miles to the Sandstone trailhead. On the left, there is a sign and a large pinnacle marks the entrance. Many people confuse or include the Fish Creek Trail with Sandstone. Fish Creek can be done in a lowered Honda Civic on a dry day but the last 2 miles of Sandstone get really narrow and there are some fun obstacles.. the final 200 yards (I've only walked it) require a lifted rig with full armor and serious skills.

See ya Saturday M

Scott, were meeting at the Hwy 78 and Split Mtn rd. - 8:30 -9am
Are you planning on meeting us there or further up the trail? I have not run these trails and I don't want to miss the meet up.
Stan

 

[rfjtoy]

Thanks

Here is a the best map of the area LINK Or you can get it from the ranger station. My co-worker picked one up for me there for $9. It is water resistant and very detailed.
As one way, Diablo has no signs where as "The Slot" does have DO NOT ENTER WRONG WAY signs.

Thanks for the map link, ordered mine. Hope you can make the run.

Camping will be Sheeps Canyon up Lower Coyote Sat. Pm.

 

[Brentbba]

I'm in. Love Coyote to Sheep Canyon for camping up there. Beautiful place.

Stan, where we meeting to head out there?