Split Mountain East

Split Mountain East ©

March 15, 2015, Joel Hawk

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

Our adventure for this day included several events; a hike, a sightseeing tour and a stop at our favorite winery in Ramona (Chuparosa).  Some friends we were going to meet up with had made a weekend of it and stayed the night before on the desert floor under the stars.  Now that's beautiful.

Jack, Chris, Dorie and I met early in the morning for our trek out to the trailhead. Along the way we saw one of natures best dances; the turkey trot.

 After about a 2 hour drive, we came upon the meeting place/trailhead for our hike.  Once geared up, off we went.

 The elephant knees are quite the sight; massive and with some imagination, one can see why they are named so.

 It's early Spring and the desert flowers are just starting to bloom.

 We had 12 in our initial party to see the wind caves.  Several of the ladies were then going back to explore the elephant knees and area for sharks teeth and shells.

 The wind caves were less than spectacular, but its always interesting to see what mother nature creates with her tools.

 Now there's someone spectacular.

 The mandatory Captain Morgan pose.

 Sombrero Peak in the distance.

  

 OK Shortcut, which way?  Click on the picture below for better understanding.

 Interesting deposit and formation. After conversing with others, this could be a fossilized footprint.  I told them I'm old, but it wasn't one of mine.

 Doesn't look too bad from this angle.

 

How about from this angle?

 I am always amazed at the persistence of nature.  If a plant wants to grow, it can and will.

 Ah, the summit.  Lunch time!

 Looking at the summit from another perspective.  Here's me looking at you, look at me and looking at them.  Wow...cool shot.

 Time to go.

Yes, we did.

 Yes, we did it again.

 Our climb out of the gorge.

 Hike check in the block and on to our next event.  We decided we would visit the metal statues outside of Borrego Springs at Galleta Meadows Estate.  This fella has his art in several places throughout the county.  It's free and most cars can drive around the desert art without 4 x 4.
For more information and a lot better pictures, you can check out this link.


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g32099-d4173682-r254182677-Galleta_Meadows-Borrego_Springs_California.html#photos

And now for the best treat of the day, a stop for snacks and tasting at our favorite winery.  The proprietors are awesome people and the wine they make is the BOMB!

 

 Be safe, enjoy living and appreciate our lands.   ~ Joel

Directions and the numbers:

Travel East from Julian on 78 for quite a distance, including dropping down Banner grade.  Turn right on Split Mountain Road and stay on the paved road until you come to Fish Creek Wash.  Turn right and follow the path of other vehicles.  This is a highly used wash so you can't go wrong.  As you come out of Split Mountain, the trailhead to the wind caves is on the left.  The hike up to wind caves is an easy .5 family hike.  The hike to Split Mountain East is not recommended for family with very little if any trails.  Total round trip is appx 4 miles, 1562 total ascent with a max elevation of 1690 ft.   Overall this took us about 3 hours.

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