COMPLETED: Borrego ares - April 2008

[The Roadie]

Another one in the continuing series of "Offroad with the Roadie". This is about the end of the desert wheeling season, since it's almost getting to 90 degrees in the daytime. But nighttime is still mid 50's, so the camping is outstanding. Went out with Mrs. Roadie and a former co-worker and his daughter. They had a Suburban, so couldn't go on all the tight trails I like, but they rode along for those parts.

Enjoy:

Lunch in the shadow of the "Leaning Tower of Mud". Hope I"m luckier than Alekg and it doesn't fall over on me.



The elusive Pumpkin Patch Trail.


The Pumpkin Patch - a rare example of sandstone concretions formed underground by water action with a cementing agent, then exposed to the surface by wind removing the sand.


A luxurious campsite.


The best backcountry luxury. A PETT toilet.


A modified warning sign


We trust a lot that there will not be an earthquake while we sleep.


The view through our mesh roof at sunrise. This is worth the whole trip. This is in Hawk Canyon, and the hawks, owls, swallows, swifts, hummingbirds prove there's a lot of life in what could be a miserable environment.





Back to the (now dry) mud pit called the Borrego Sink.

[The Roadie]

Spongy surface left after it dried out. Will bake to a hard surface later in the summer.


Back to the extreme Coyote Canyon "bypass road". I've posted about this before, but the Park just sent in a rock crusher to take off the sharp parts of the mose extreme obstacles and make the trip safer for the rangers who have to patrol the area 3-4 times a day. If it was a 6 out of 10 trail before, they didn't improve it that much, and now it's only a 5. Still at the limit of trailvoy suspensions with 31-33 tires and max BDS lifts.

[The Roadie]

More rocks. Do not try this with stock suspension. I hit my frame a couple of times, but in its former condition, I'd take 8-10 slams, and have to pick my lines MUCH more carefully.









Start of the deep water crossing.




Bow wave


Water line on the side. Probably 20" deep? Took a few ounces of water past the door gaskets. No surprises there.