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| no partners | | I picked up a lead for an old "lost" mission in some rough mountains north of my house. These legends are sort of like the Dutchman gold mine, or endless deep lost caves. However the site seemed interesting and the hike short so I met Brian and together we drove a rough rocky road, parked then hiked up a canyon that changed character constantly and dramatically. Wide and rocky, then a slit and pour over, then into an area of huge travertine boulders covered with formations, then the cottonwoods and water started. Some areas of huge reeds. A mine tunnel, several overhangs, one lonely pictograph, then ruthless bouldering and catclaw. Several unused trails in the area we availed ourselves of, but mostly grown in. Bloody but unbowed we got to a corral area in deep brush, then the first rock walls, in place 1-2 feet thick. Several large leveled landing areas, long stone walls. An area which seemed to be a main entrance, then small rooms. The area tumble down now, but a couple of windows still up ,a room with a fireplace, and an amazingly well rocked well, about 20 feet deep, dry but the rock work was simply beautiful and well fitted together. We sat and had our lunch in the trees, discussed what this was. Seemed too large and too much work for a rancher, or even a miner. Our vote is the sheepherders which were prodigious rock wall builders. Perhaps the place was nicknamed the "Mission"; or perhaps it was a mission although the layout seemed to me not amenable to that. We noted an old overgrown road and a trail leading out of the site. No mining remains, some rancher stuff near the corral including a dried up pair of boots.
Since the canyon was pretty brutal we opted to go back on the ridgeline, again picking up a trail that was built. We got too high; the views were great, but the FJ about 1000 feet below us. We were able to generally go down the rounded ridgeline. Lots of ocotillo flagged out and lots of blooming cactii. We got to the cars and camped there, I was tired and we sat and enjoyed the many bird calls and watching a few quail and soaring buzzards. Night was good star watching. Morning we drove then walked a short rough road that gave great views to more to explore. Getting a little warm for the desert though. We discussed other areas here we should try to see. It never ends. |
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