Puff Benchmark
December 28, 2012, by Joel Hawk
Although I had just been here in the desert a few days before while hiking Mine, Red Hill and Jacumba, there are several more peaks on my list in the immediate area. So knowing the routine, I was up at 3:00 a.m. and on the road by 4. After pleasantries with the Border Patrol, I turned left on Montero Canyon (a dirt road about 200 yards past the Border Patrol Checkpoint). Traversing across the desert, I headed toward the Dos Cabezas water tower where my trusty jeep easily crossed over the railroad tracks. Reaching the water tower, it was time to take a few pictures of the new day waking over the desert.
The moon was dropping and was falling between two peaks. This looked like the peaks were holding the moon up in the sky.
I had selected an old jeep road up into the mountains, but to be honest, I got lost on the dirt roads out in the desert. So I found myself way behind schedule and I hadn't even started hiking yet. Once I finally found the correct road, I was disappointed to see it had been blocked off to vehicle traffic. This added a little more fun to my hike for the day. This was not the last fun added to my day....
As with everything, when plans change, there are usually additional plan changes. Instead of heading directly up the mountains like I originally planned, garmin was pointing me off to the left for my first peak (Benchmark 3446). So, across the desert I headed. When I finally reached the first hills in the distance, I saw that I had just driven about 200 yards from here. Bummer!
Starting my climb and doing well, I looked back to see what I've come up. I had found a trail and was following it up the wash. Looks like the trail started at Mortero Palms, but I can't be certain. That's a dirt road along the foothills and Mortero Palms is to the right at the roads end.
After another 30 minutes or so, garmin was telling me that BM 3446 was straight ahead. So I kept pushing up. The cactus is pretty, but it's so easy to latch itself to you. I have a few road scars and pokes from my trip, but this was expected.
I kept climbing and picking my way through the cactus and boulders ever headed in the direction garmin told me. It was only later that I learned garmin lied to me - well, sort of. I headed for that knob up to the right picking my way up a serious wash full of decomposed granite and cacti.
Leaving the trail and coming out of the wash, garmin told me BM 3446 was straight ahead, so I climbed this one.
Once on top of that hill, I learned my real destination was farther along (yes, in the direction garmin had said, but it wasn't the peak I thought). I saw the trail down and across the gorge, so back down I go. I followed the trail all the way to the proper ridge and then made my way out to the summit of BM 3446. After about an hour of searching for the benchmark, I called Motor to see if he had found it. This was when he told me there was no BM any more. Yes, I had phone service at the top of this hill. A pleasant surprise.
While standing on top of the summit, I was looking around at the landscape. Across the gorge about 1/2 mile or so, I saw a tent. Didn't see anyone walking about until I got home and saw the picture. Don't think this fella saw me taking pictures or he would not have mooned me (or maybe he did on purpose)!
Well, there's more to see than just moons out over the desert. Here's a beautiful barrel cactus in all it's red glory.
Moving along to my next destination, Puff, I was climbing across the ridge and came across this nest. I believe it's a large bird nest with the access just to the left. Not wanted to leave any human smells around the nest, I didn't touch any of the rocks close by.
Finally, my destination. Puff is a monster view point out over Goat Canyon and looking down upon a railroad. Nice pics coming....a little lunch, a few pics and time to reflect on how much work it had to of been building that railroad through the mountains.
Click on the picture to enlarge it, but what a sight in person.
I took my "Big Boy" camera along with my little point-n-shoot, so sitting comfortably up high, I broke it out for some zoom shots. One of the tunnels that looks like it would be fun to walk through.
I had no idea there were people walking along the track when I first took this shot. I heard them later though as they were about to go into the tunnel. I'm not certain, but I think it's illegal to walk along the tracks so be sure to check that out before you do it.
There are two abandoned railroad cars about half way down to the left of the tracks.
Not sure what the shaft is all about to the left, but I'm not going in there!
These are the folks that I heard just before they went into the tunnel. Although I was wearing a white hiking shirt, I don't think they saw me.
This is looking at Groan across Goat Canyon from Puff (at least I think it's Groan. I haven't planned the trip yet.) Yes, it's on the list too.
Well fed and having seen all the sights, it's time to head back up the hills for my next destination. Little did I know that my plans and reality were not anywhere close to each other. Garmin and I argued all the way back to the valley and it wasn't pretty. I descended down to the left of the mountain range where I had parked and for some reason I started cramping, so I wasn't going to risk climbing up and over then back down again, so I headed for the floor.
After a strenuous decent and concern about my cramping, I found myself safely on the desert floor. Not sure what happened as I had 3 liters of water, plenty of electrolytes, food, etc., but it is what it is and I opted for safety over bragging rights and headed for the barn. The plant life along the desert floor is interesting and in a few months when these start to flower, I want to come back to see. Yes, I really am a tall fella...and the sun was setting.
Having made my way around the mountain range and headed back up to where I had parked the jeep, I saw what looked like a giant man in the rocks. Look at the dead center along the desert floor and see if you agree.
My "Big Boy" camera zoomed in a little which may offer a better visual for you.
This was quite the adventure and I had seen both moons (well, three) of the day. This was on the way off the desert on my way to a well earned cold one at the Lazy Lizard (non-paid ad again).
Be safe, enjoy living and appreciate our lands. ~ Joel
Directions and numbers:
I-8 to Ocotillo and North along Imperial Highway. Turn right onto the dirt road about 200 yards past the Border Check Point and aim for the water tower at Dos Cabezas.
32° 43' 52'' N; 116° 10' 53'' W
32.731227, -116.181278 (Dec Deg)
576714E 3621788N Zone 11 (UTM)
