Wandering the Southwest for Four or Five months of Wheeling.

[cornercanyon]

...

This is not a thread or debate on immigration. I was not attempting to pass judgement either. More just making an observation of what we found out hiking.

My mistake. You are right and I apologize–

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[wibornz]

My mistake. You are right and I apologize–

No worries and no apologies are necessary. I know that you are a good man and no ill will was meant. You are a friend and that means way more than any post on the net. The whole immigration thing is a mess and it is the fault of our politicians on both sides of the isle and it has been a mess for several decades. While it would be easy to scapegoat the current administration the fact remains that it has never been successful managed. Now let’s get back to Jeeping and hiking.

 

[cornercanyon]

No worries and no apologies are necessary. I know that you are a good man and no ill will was meant. You are a friend and that means way more than any post on the net. The whole immigration thing is a mess and it is the fault of our politicians on both sides of the isle and it has been a mess for several decades. While it would be easy to scapegoat the current administration the fact remains that it has never been successful managed. Now let’s get back to Jeeping and hiking.

Thank you. I am in–

 

[azwjowner]

Having spent hundreds of hours out in that area, they weren't immigrant backpacks anyway. They almost certainly were for spotters/smugglers who camp in the area and monitor and report Border Patrol movements via radio. The immigrants--the ones who are actually entering the country en masse--aren't given the luxury of pre-cached backpacks full of food.

Despite my strong opposition to smugglers, I'm very glad you left them undisturbed. I've cached food and water while on long hikes/backpacking trips and there's no way I'm going to be judge, jury, and executioner and sentence a man I don't know to die in the desert by stealing his supplies.

If anyone is interested in reading an account of what the immigrant crossing experience is like, I recommend "The Devil's Highway: A True Story" by Luis Urrea. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

 

[wibornz]

Having spent hundreds of hours out in that area, they weren't immigrant backpacks anyway. They almost certainly were for spotters/smugglers who camp in the area and monitor and report Border Patrol movements via radio. The immigrants--the ones who are actually entering the country en masse--aren't given the luxury of pre-cached backpacks full of food.

Despite my strong opposition to smugglers, I'm very glad you left them undisturbed. I've cached food and water while on long hikes/backpacking trips and there's no way I'm going to be judge, jury, and executioner and sentence a man I don't know to die in the desert by stealing his supplies.

If anyone is interested in reading an account of what the immigrant crossing experience is like, I recommend "The Devil's Highway: A True Story" by Luis Urrea. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

We drove the Devil’s Highway last year when we were wheeling this area.

 

[azwjowner]

We drove the Devil’s Highway last year when we were wheeling this area.

It's a great trail. I saw your photos at the time. The Border Patrol scarecrow is constantly changing. (The "Devil's Highway" in the book title is more of a catchy tagline to describe the journey; the actual trek of the immigrants described had nothing to do with the particular Camino del Diablo at all.)

 

[wibornz]

So after searching on Gaia, I found an area that looked interesting north of Yuma about fifty or so miles. A decent amount of jeep trails, some abandoned mines and plenty of opportunities to get and hike among the mountains. We set off at 8 am with the hopes of scoring a couple breakfast burritos.

Big fail, first restaurant was closed due to family issues, second one was an hour wait to get a burrito, third restaurant was closed. We had to settle for Taco Bell breakfast wraps.

Off we go. We pick up @jlrubeinswaz out by a military base and keep heading north.

After airing down we head off into the desert with plenty of mountain and canyon views.

Iverall the wheeling was more scenic than challenging and it was about 35 miles of off road jeeping.

There was a observation blimp flying that is used to monitor the southern border.

We see a mine to explore, but it had been filled in so no access. Up on the mountain though it looked like it was snow covered or a bunch of white type rocks.

Nothing to see here. All the white stuff is bird poop. . It took over an hour or so to climb up to it and get back down. Good thing the hiking and climbing was fun. Plus there was so good views from up there.

Mr. Business had to engage his lockers a couple of times. It is amazing what he can climb at times.

Bad in the Jeep for a couple hours.

There was a bunch of Buttes and small natural arches along the trail also.

We did find a mine that was fairly large, bat free and as safe as an old abandoned mine can be to explore.

Mr . Business leads the way so he can scare any rattlesnakes, mountain lions or other creepy creatures in the mine. He is part wolf, you know the kind of wolf that likes blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup and whip cream kind of Woof.

Carla was like hey, I am enjoying a bat free old mine.

One of the tunnels had some natural lighting.

Obviously we had quality lights to chase the darkness away.

After five hours of Jeeping, hiking, mine exploration, and lunch, we headed back towards civilization.

Gary led the way out.

We did stumble upon one more mine. Was able to pull the Jeep right up to a vertical mine shaft. The mine was up on a small hill that also had great views of the surrounding area.

@jlrubeinswaz has a very well modded Rubicon.

Gary and jlrubeinswaz are obviously solving the world’s problems.

What an awesome day of wheeling, hiking and exploring that was even made better with great friends.

jlrubeinswaz and his wife are genuine, fun and enjoyable to be around. I am so lucky that I meet some of the best people ever because of this forum. They have enriched our experiences many times over the last few years.

 

[DGT]

Ted, what were they mining around that area? Is anything specific to that area? Those mines weren't inexpensive to build, no matter the era they were built.

 

[wibornz]

@DGT The one we explored yesterday was gold. Some were are copper they are usually finding two or three different kinds of ore.

sometimes we just stumble upon them by seeing the piling while out wheeling, others show up on the Gaia map. If I know the name of the mine, I will look up its historical information. Some of mines are back filled, some are blocked with steel bars.

 

[wibornz]

Monday, it was crappy weather, cold and rain, so we took in a movie and dinner. Kind of a date day. The rain continued through the night. Flooded the road we stayed on and made Tuesday another non wheeling day.

Did go get a stack of cash though. $3600+ pesos. Lol. Well not a big stack, they have $1000 bills in pesos.

Did snag one cool picture yesterday as we headed up to get pizza. I had power washed the jeep and the road was still flooded. The entrance to the desert with the mountains in the background at sunset made for a beautiful shot.

Today, I do a once over on the Jeep with a torque wrench, check fluids, and power wash the inside of the Jeep. It is going to be a warm sunny day. Let it dry and pack it for an early departure tomorrow morning to meet up with @DGT and head to the Baja Peninsula in Mexico for some wheeling, tacos, and general shenanigans for a long weekend. We may even extend or stay some.

Then next week, possibly go to the King of Hammers for a day or so. None of the normal crew wants to go, so I maybe solo.

 

[mnjeeper]

The more you live in your fifties, the more likely you will live better in your sixties and seventies.

I was going to comment that all the hiking and activity you and Carla are doing is keeping you young. Apparently you also knew this.

Makes me wonder if dipping out early even to go back later is the smart route. My investments have some serious recovery to do...maybe in a couple of years.

 

[wibornz]

I was going to comment that all the hiking and activity you and Carla are doing is keeping you young. Apparently you also knew this.

Makes me wonder if dipping out early even to go back later is the smart route. My investments have some serious recovery to do...maybe in a couple of years.

I am running about four or five days a week in the morning before we head out with Mr. Business. Usually between a mile and three miles with two miles being the most common. If Carla comes with me in the morning it will be a walk three miles type morning before we head out. Even when we areJeeping, I will often run from spot to spot for photos, while Carla drives. The little running dog gives us reason to get off the couch.

 

[mnjeeper]

I am running about four or five days a week in the morning before we head out with Mr. Business. Usually between a mile and three miles with two miles being the most common. If Carla comes with me in the morning it will be a walk three miles type morning before we head out. Even when we areJeeping, I will often run from spot to spot for photos, while Carla drives. The little running dog gives us reason to get off the couch.

I am not starting in the frigid temps, but I have two active Shepherds that will be loving camping I hope.

 

[wibornz]

I have yet to meet a dog that doesn’t love camping.

Carla surprised me today. She wanted to come along this morning. It was beautiful out and it turned into a six mile hike in the desert. Started as a three mile walk then a four mile walk then into a six miler. The temperature was perfect for a morning hike in the desert.

Mr Business need a ride for about a mile and then was back at it.

 

[Dryver]

This is an amazing picture. Maybe you should try to sell it to Jeep for use in their marketing materials.

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