High Rock Canyon to beyond, Part III
Episodes: Black Rock Desert to Soldier Meadows, Part I and Soldier Meadows to High Rock Canyon, Part II are available here.
The next morning brought us mixed sun and clouds with brush bejeweled
with water droplets in the early light. The air was clear and fresh. I took a quick walk to the wet pasture above us and spotted a hunting northern harrier working from an old corral across the meadow.
They are incredibly aerodynamic when not bobbing and weaving, almost bullet shaped.
What you looking at?
We took a morning walk, along an old wagon trail skirting Mahogany Creek.
An old outhouse lay on it's side in the meadow.
Mud, an inch or more thick, quickly collected on our boots in the wet volcanic soil.
Vultures were rising on the warming air in front of the cliffs.
The area is full of caves, and we found more along the south facing cliffs of Mahogany Creek. Several springs kept the meadows flooded. Pools of water were nearby in deep isolated pockets.
Somebody had done a fair amount of excavation along the base of the overhanging cliffs. Hopefully it was done for research and not personal benefit.
The cliffs had numerous mud swallow nests which were unoccupied. One can imagine the air show in the springtime! Perhaps these cliffs offered shelter and fresh nesting birds, along with water and game to the indigenous tribes.
We were on the lookout for bighorn sheep but had seen only a few bands of horses and then this lone burro. It still startled us, when we looked up.
Our cattle dog, Callie was in her element in a wet pasture with fresh cowpies and mud.
Walking back to camp there was a large bull standing in our way. Callie did very well, responding to voice command to stick with me and not charge. We skirted the cattle and chased them down the arroyo away from the truck with our presence.
We were giving Callie a little Zodi spritz down before being let inside the truck later when Guy in Yellow Jeep showed up in camp. His little dog yapped out the window. It was a dead end for him, so he backed up to leave. He was very polite and took a few photos then left us to ourselves. We would see him again down the road.
A MYSTERY:
We were camped in a small gulch, with a deep pool of water above us at an old ford. I spotted a strange assortment of metal pipe and fittings sticking out of the dirt bank near camp.
Who would haul all this pipe up here? And what were they plumbing?
We were in High Rock Creek, litterally in the creek bottom. Perhaps there was a dwelling that could pump water.
"Conlon Camp"
Our next stretch of road leads through this notch!
To be continued . . .
Edited by Lighthawk, 02 October 2021 - 06:54 PM.
