Tutt in Anza Borrego

[CowboyTutt]

Guys, I thought you might appreciate a few pics of the Anza Borrego Desert. I took my Mom out for a one day adventure of off-roading in Ocotillo Wells within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park while I was down there for Christmas Break. I also spent some time with Old Savage as some may remember. Anyhow, my dear Mom really likes the desert, always has, and the climate agrees with her. She has always had a cactus garden and knows the latin name for all of them. Anyhow, it was a splendid day, and she enjoyed the trip.

I have to say, this area was far more scenic than I expected, and was very reminiscent of some of the more choice areas of Death Valley. I will have to go back and spend more time there some day myself!

I will share some other pics of where I went next, but here is Anza B.

[H_Talon]

that looks like it was out near the mud caves ....

Great place for jeeping ...

Talon

[CowboyTutt]

Out by the Wind Caves, actually. But I did hear of the Mud Caves, and they sound neat!

-Tutt

[Hobie]

Interesting strata. All sandstone?

[CowboyTutt]

Yeah, Hobie, it did seem to be sandstone. I'm more of a mountain type, but the desert does have a certain allure.

-Tutt

[H_Talon]

.. wind caves ????? got any gps info ?????

mud caves are great ... 20+ have been discovered.
they may start out as a 2' hole and go back a mile or so ...
others are bigger .. take a head light helps when you have to crawl ..

Talon

[CowboyTutt]

Talon, its the Fish Creek-Sandstone Canyon Trail. The starting point is on Split Mountain Rd., 8 miles south of CA 78. GPS is N33.degrees02.38' W116 degrees 05.76'. I can't make a degree sign using these tools, so thats the best I can translate it. Hope that helps!

I ran into some people who had been to the Mud Caves, and they did sound really neat. Will try to go there next time.

-Tutt

[71fan]

See any sheep?

Fun area to play in, especially in winter.

[Griff]

Super pics Tutt! Love the desert myself as does my wife after taking her to Death Valley for our "honeymoon". May take a vacation myself soon, luckily enough I just settled with the buffalo owner's insurance company, (about 75 cents on the dollar of my full claim, but no lawyer fees involved). That place may be on the agenda, thanks.

[Ysabel Kid]

Growing up just north of Indianapolis, all I saw was corn - and lots of it. That is some interesting topography Tutt!!!

[CowboyTutt]

Griff, your very welcome. It does seem like a neat area, particularly if you like off-roading. Ocotillo Wells is an OHV Park, and is crawling with quads and stuff. But the area I went to was pretty untraveled when I went. '71 Fan is right, probably its greatest attribute is it is one of the few places you can travel in the winter, and its very comfy. Anza-Borrego State Park IS very nice though. Plus you are close to Julian, a really nice tourist moutain town with the best apple pie around anywhere. And Cuyamaca State Park is close, and the Sunrise Hwy (one of my personal favorites from my motorcycle days). You could certainly do worse than A.B., and if you enjoyed D.V., I think you would like it! Certainly worth looking into!

-Tutt

[71fan]

Griff, your very welcome. It does seem like a neat area, particularly if you like off-roading. Ocotillo Wells is an OHV Park, and is crawling with quads and stuff. But the area I went to was pretty untraveled when I went. '71 Fan is right, probably its greatest attribute is it is one of the few places you can travel in the winter, and its very comfy. Anza-Borrego State Park IS very nice though. Plus you are close to Julian, a really nice tourist moutain town with the best apple pie around anywhere. And Cuyamaca State Park is close, and the Sunrise Hwy (one of my personal favorites from my motorcycle days). You could certainly do worse than A.B., and if you enjoyed D.V., I think you would like it! Certainly worth looking into!

-Tutt

Where are you, Tutt? You know much too much about my stomping grounds to be a casual tourist. I assume you have lived down here (or still do?). And don't forget to hit Major's in Pine Valley for a quick meal, or a burger in Boulevard.

[bigbore442001]

Can you hunt or shoot there? It does have an interesting topography.

[Old Shatterhand]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures. A really fascinating place.

Old Sh.

[gamekeeper]

Man, thats real rugged looking country. Beautiful!!

[dr walker]

Again, Great pics thanks for sharing.
That is rough looking country.

[rjohns94]

thanks for sharing those. pretty KEWL

[kimwcook]

Cowboy, if that's a picture of you that's not cowboyo dud's and if it's a picture of your mom, well...I could understand why your single.

[Gun Smith]

I spent many happy weekends with my family there in the early 70's. I remember when you could leave your gear out around your camper, leave it unlocked and explore all day. You knew when you returned nothing would be missing or messed with. I understand that's all different now. Sad.

[CowboyTutt]

71Fan, I lived in North County San Diego from 95-03 or so. I used to motorcycle all over the place, and go shooting at some areas close to Warner Springs. After all the casinos were built in East County, and traffic increases where I lived, it seemed like a good time to get out. The casino's really spoiled the sport riding out there. A year or two after I left, they closed down the shooting locations too. We actually did it to ourselves as the shooters kept trashing the place with old tv's, paint cans, and thousands of shells and cases. They actually cleaned it up once, then we trashed it again. So, they closed it down.

Big Bore, I'm willing to bet you can't shoot or hunt within the State Park, but there might be some land outside of park boundries that allows shooting. Maybe.

Old Law Dog, yeah, ya got me dead to rights. Thats my Mom!

Nah, I just packed light for the trip, and left the cowboy duds at home.

I'll write up part deuce tonight.

-Tutt

[JReed]

Borrego Springs is one of my favorite ridding destinations. Wish I had know you were out that way it would have been a great reason to put more miles on my bike. When I was in Boy Scouts we used to go out there all the time. One time we did a 50mile hike out there along the Morman Battalion trail that was fun.

[Old Savage]

Nice pics Tutt, too bad we didn't have the chance to get out to the range. Another time perhaps.

[CowboyTutt]

Jeremy, are you close to San Diego too? Honestly, I couldn't have spent any time on that trip as it was the one day I had to spend with Mom. Hey, she put up with me all these years, she deserved a day to herself.

Poogyr is a little north of me, and 71 Fan is around San Diego. Old Savage is is not too far away from SoCal, and Mike D. is also close to me in Hollister (although he may not be up to traveling).

Maybe we should arrange a day of shooting in SoCal somewhere? There is a range in Angeles that has a 600 yard target that I was supposed to go too while I was down there, but my friend was sick with a cold, and then it rained. Maybe we should all try to meet up there?

-Tutt

[71fan]

Big Bore, I'm willing to bet you can't shoot or hunt within the State Park, but there might be some land outside of park boundries that allows shooting. Maybe.

-Tutt

Tutt is correct. No firearms on state park land. A lot of the surrounding country is National Forest with spatterings of BLM, so pleanty of area to wander around.

[JReed]

Tutt
I am stationed and live at Camp Pendleton. I am glad you got some time to spend with your mom. I have a hard time getting time to go and visit my folks back in MO so I know how important it is to spend time with family.

95 is also down here in San Diego County. So the next time you are down we should plan ahead and try and get some trigger time together. I have never been to the Angels range but it would be fun to shoot my enfield @ 600 I havent done that in a good many years.

[71fan]

I'm still pushing for a west coast levergunners rendevous somewhere in the SoCal / Az desert. But we have to hurry because Jeremy will be leaving soon, right? (When are you shipping off?)

So, what do y'all say? Should we try to get something together? I guess we should start another thread.

[JReed]

I report to the school house end of April.

[CowboyTutt]

71 and friends, I could come down south for a weekend in Feb. or March (except the last week of the month which is Spring Break, and I already have plans). April would work too, but that might be calling it close for Jeremy.

What are your days and schedules like guys?

71, this is your baby, do you want to start another thread, and see if it can be made a sticky?

-Tutt

[JReed]

With over 35 days of leave on the books I can be pretty flexible.

[bsaride]

You have to go back in two weeks and see how beautiful it is after all the rains, and post new pics.

[jazman]

Great pics (and post) as always Tutt. Thanks for sharing those. Jim

[Marc Taylor]

Something about desert scenery...

I can explore out there until I'm lost.

I think I must've lived a previous lifetime in a place like that.


Taylor

[bsaride]

Send me a PM if you have a get together,
I'm in Orange County

Jay

[GANJIRO]

Guys, I thought you might appreciate a few pics of the Anza Borrego Desert. I took my Mom out for a one day adventure of off-roading in Ocotillo Wells within the Anza Borrego Desert State Park while I was down there for Christmas Break.

HOW EVER DID YOU GET A PICTURE OF THE EXTREMELY RARE DESSERT SASQUATCH?

Nice pics, thanks for sharing.

[CowboyTutt]

Ganjiro, I just about fell out my chair laughing on that one. My best friend has seen me without my shirt on while hiking, and has said the EXACT SAME THING!

-Tutt

[jkbrea]

Tutt, I spent New Years Eve and Day in Ocotillo Wells. Took my son to ride his motorcycle. It was very crowded because of Christmas Break. I'm taking him back in a few weeks. Most people behave there. Glamis is the place that gets a little crazy.

[CowboyTutt]

JK, I was there also on New Years Day. Ocotillo was very busy, but I only saw a handful of vehicles where I was. Since your also in SoCal, please notice the thread on the SoCal Levergunner's Family Reunion and Shoot! I hope to have it a sticky soon.

-Tutt

[Marlin .35]

I was brought up in the Northeast and am not used to seeing such open places. Where are the forests??? Thanks for posting some great pictures!!!!! Art

[71fan]

I posted on the SoCal rendevous thread - let's get it going!

[JerryB]

Thanks for the great pictures. When I first saw them I thought it might be around Yuma where my daughter lives.Been out there a few times,pretty rugged around there too.