Split Mountain and the Snake

Friday, February 9, 2018 – Location:  Clark Dry Lake near Borrego Springs, CA

  Last night I had my apple pie a la mode for    dinner.  Forgot the plate was super hot so most of the ice cream I put on the plate melted immediately.  Won’t do that again.

This morning I made up for the small dinner by having four strips of bacon and three fried eggs.  Good thing I take cholesterol pills daily!

Didn’t do much today.  My feet still ache from yesterday’s hike.  While I rested in my lounger, Yuma kept careful watch over me.

About 2:30, Yuma and I took a drive down by the dry lake.  Saw the biggest coyote cross in front of us, but could not get the camera on him in time.  We just walked around a little in the lake bed and took some photos of the area.   I still am in awe at how beautiful the mountains around here are.

Then headed over to find the stone snake.  This may be my last day here, so don’t want to miss it.  We stopped at the lower end of Coyote Mountain and hiked up.  I cannot believe after four previous hikes up there I still could not find the right valley for the longest time.  I walked over a mile and finally there it was.  I sure gave Deb and Riley terrible directions to find it.  The temperature is 88 degrees and my feet hurt.  Was not fun, but had to be done.  Wasn’t coming down till I got my photos!

Finally, I came over a ridge and there it was!  So glad.  Didn’t think I could climb another ridge today.

Enough for one day.  Not much, but still too much.  Now for the continuation of yesterday’s road trip to Split Mountain.  The drive is pleasant except for the bumpy wash.  Would not do this without 4 wheel drive.  Too easy to get into deep sand. 

I wonder how long it took to cut through this sandstone mountain.  By the looks of the walls, it is very fragile and water should cut through it fairly easy.  As you can see, the sides have crumbled over the years and rain water has cleared out the residue leaving a sandy floor.

Not going to say much.  Just let you enjoy the ride through my photographs.

 

   

We’ve made it through Split Mountain.  Hope you enjoyed the ride. 

This what it looks like going on further into the wash.  Wash board sand as you can see.  Any sane person would stop here and go home.  But not me.  Curious as to what lies around that curve ahead.

For those of you interested in this trip, just around the corner ahead on the left are the Wind Caves.  It’s about a mile walk up to the caves.  I did the walk and viewed the caves five years ago.  Before Yuma.  They do not allow dogs at all, so we did not walk up there today.

I’m going to continue this road trip in tomorrow’s blog.  Tomorrow will be the Sandstone Canyon adventure and a side trip for three miles up a slot canyon by foot.

Got to get ready for Gold Rush.

See you later.