29 replies to this topic

[Occidental]

Back in 2019 we started making plans to head down the length of Baja Mexico fishing and camping our way to the tip and back during the month of November.  Well, that didn't quite work out, it looked uncertain we could get out of the country and maybe more uncertain we could get back in, so with the time off planned we pivoted to a trip to the Southwest.  As time grew closer a lot of spots we planned to visit were struck from the list, closed or too risky.  Instead we only went inside to grocery shop, no other tourist stuff in towns or cities, which was fine by me.  Camping and hiking for 23 days treated us well, with a big loop starting in Nevada, then on to Arizona, southern Utah, southwest Colorado, a tiny slice of New Mexico, then back through Arizona with Thanksgiving at Lake Mead.  We had great weather overall, if a bit chilly at night.  It has taken a while to sort through the photos and get a start on the trip report.

 

Here is the link to our time in Nevada: https://www.occident...st-2020-nevada/

 

And our trip across the Arizona strip and into Utah: https://www.occident...-arizona-strip/

 

Utah is up next, maybe tonight, or maybe tomorrow....I'll add the links as I finish the rest of the trip.

 

It was a nice getaway, and the last trip of the year for us, unless we somehow have great weather and can get out for New Year's somewhere.

 

Edit:

The next installment is now up.  We entered Utah on the last trip, and skirt back in to Utah in the next one, but this covers most of our time there, which was spent south of the Bears Ears and north of the San Juan River:

https://www.occident...west-2020-utah/

 

Next up we moved on to Colorado for a couple days:

https://www.occident...-2020-colorado/

 

On to New Mexico:

https://www.occident...020-new-mexico/

 

And finally, Arizona:

https://www.occident...t-2020-arizona/

Edited by Occidental, 24 December 2020 - 12:00 AM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wonderful trip report!  VOF is one of my favorite places for campground type camping.  There is so much to see there!   When you went in to Mouse’s Tank, did you find the secret mysterious Bat Woman glyph?  It’s a hidden gem.

[AWG_Pics]

We do love the AZ strip and SE Utah! Thanks for taking us along. We are looking forward to your next installment! And our next trip!

[ski3pin]

We have thoroughly enjoyed your trip report! Looking forward to Utah!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Just finished the AZ Strip and Utah portion.   Wonderful TR.   I wonder what happened with the tripod...

 

Thanks for sharing!

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for sharing your trip.

Beautiful photos.

If you or anyone else wants more info about the condors

go to the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary .You can look up the

numbers of the birds and their history.They also have along

with the number a radio transmitter to help locate/track them.

Fantastic birds.

Frank

[Occidental]

Wonderful trip report!  VOF is one of my favorite places for campground type camping.  There is so much to see there!   When you went in to Mouse’s Tank, did you find the secret mysterious Bat Woman glyph?  It’s a hidden gem.

 

I agree - I noted several longer trails that we didn't plan for and thus didn't have time for on this stop.  There were several new to us stops so I sort of looked at this as an exploratory trip, the sort that 'the list' continues to build.  I did not find the bat woman glyph, or if we saw it we didn't know what we were looking for.  We had a few of those moments, where upon our return, or in one case upon the finishing of the hike (kinda embarrassed to admit exactly where) we didn't actually see what we thought we were there for.  I guess it just gives us reason to return??  Or at least that is what I'm going with.  Enjoyable all the same.

 

Thanks for sharing your trip.

Beautiful photos.

If you or anyone else wants more info about the condors

go to the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary .You can look up the

numbers of the birds and their history.They also have along

with the number a radio transmitter to help locate/track them.

Fantastic birds.

Frank

 

Thanks Frank for pointing me towards the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary. I didn't actually see the birds I photographed there, but I did link to the release status in the post, which provides a bit of information.  I have learned about these birds in textbooks since 2002, it was neat to finally see one.  

 

Thanks everyone for your comments.  It looks like it may be a couple more days to move on to the next post, holidays and an extra family emergency are calling.  I'll be sure to add the links when the are updated.

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I think there is a way to search for the other condors living outside the Big Sur area.

Frank

[Occidental]

Here's the next post, thanks for reading!

https://www.occident...west-2020-utah/

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for this latest part.

Fantastic scenery the arches and canyons and the old cliff houses.

Great time of the year to visit.The temps not to hot.

Frank