DWTH Day 34: Into the Turtle Mountains

Daily Miles: 22.0, Total Miles: 515.3

After enjoying a beautiful sunrise, the first order of business this morning was getting to a nearby quail guzzler, my first one in California. These guzzlers are not fenced, flow into a covered 100-gallon well, and generally have a smaller apron than their AZ counterparts. The wells have a heavy manhole cover, some of which are sealed. When sealed, the only access is through a small horizontal opening or slot. If the well is full, you may be able to scoop water out by reaching in with a bottle. As the water level drops,a bottle can be fastened to a hiking pole and lowered into the well. This particular guzzler was 3/4 full so I was able to dip out with a bottle. Water was a pale yellow but relatively clear and filtered well.

I again paralleled Hwy 95 until I joined the DWTH where the Whipple Shortcut crosses Hwy 95. I retrieved my undisturbed water and food cache nearby. Now loaded with food and carrying nearly 6 liters of water due to a potentially long dry stretch, I climbed into the colorful Turtle Mountains.

I finally reached the Turtle Mountains Wilderness through a combination of washes, x-country and primitive roads. The wilderness area, established in 1994, encompasses 177k-acres, ranging from bajadas (alluvial slopes) to highly eroded volcanic peaks, spires and cliffs, some quite spectacular.

There are bighorn sheep and desert tortoises in these mountains but they were hiding from me, although I do see sheep poop.

Those last few miles were literally a pain in the neck. The extra water weight put more stress on my shoulders and neck area, and I was really feeling that loss of cartilage in my neck vertebrae. So happy to drop the pack, get the tent set up, lay prone and take an extra ibuprofen.

High cloudiness and cooler today but no rain. Other than vehicles on Hwy 95, no one seen today.

Bird of the day: Phainopepla