Day 2: Hike beyond Indian Springs toward Cane Spring, returning cross-country via Eyeball Rock in an unnamed wash, 7-8 miles
With the unexpected luxury of drinking water here at Indian Springs, I'll stay an extra day and explore on foot some of the wash and lava-flow areas up toward Cane Spring. No bicycling today.
I don't have a set destination for today's hike other than heading up the wash, which makes it that much more interesting.
|
Date: December 26, 2007, 12h00
Size: 53 items
|
|
Late-morning coffee and breakfast (brunch, really). It was cold last night and I didn't sleep so well, and then I slept in late
A typical camping breakfast for me consists of tamari almonds, dried apricots, dry granola, coffee, water and maybe miso soup. I forgot to pack my coffee cup, so I'll drink my coffee out of my plastic bowl.
Date: December 26, 2007, 12h51
|
After breakfast, I dig a cat hole up on the hillside above Indian Springs Road
It's so nice to have an outhouse with a view, and nobody around to invade your privacy! I haven't seen anyone since leaving the pavement of Kelbaker Road yesterday afternoon.
Date: December 26, 2007, 13h23
|
I pack a day bag and start today's hike by walking 1/4 mile up to Indian Springs to filter the day's drinking water
My bag contains my winter coat, hat, scarf, gloves, toilet paper, batteries for the camera, a flashlight, and my yellow-jacket-sting kit (I'm highly allergic).
Date: December 26, 2007, 13h46
|
|
I refill my two-litre Camelbak and an empty 1.5-litre bottle with water from Indian Springs
I expect to drink most of this during the afternoon. The filtered Indian Springs water has a slight greenish tint but tastes great.
Date: December 26, 2007, 13h56
|
With no set destination, I start walking up the wash past Indian Springs and notice some intriguing rock layers
I liked what I saw in this wash when I arrived here at the end of yesterday afternoon, so I'm excited to be exploring a bit further.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h01
|
The colourful yellow lichen on these rocks is quite painterly
I have to remember to keep an eye open for petroglyphs that are supposed to exist in this area.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h01
|
|
A little further up Indian Springs wash, I come across another seep and a bit of ice that today's sun hasn't reached, and melted
So, we definitely had freezing temperatures last night. No wonder I was cold while sleeping!
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h03
|
I continue up Indian Springs wash
The sandy floor of the wash is quite firm and makes for good walking right now, but it might be much looser and dustier during the drier months.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h05
|
More cool rock layering effects
There's so much texture everywhere I look.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h08
|
|
Erosion along the walls of Indian Springs wash
This environment may be parched, but it's clear that torrents of water run down this wash from time to time.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h12
|
Poor little cactus!
This small barrel cactus appears to have lost its footing in the adjacent hillside and tumbled down to the floor of the wash.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h17
|
I'm seeing animal tracks all over the place
However, I haven't seen or heard any animals yet, other than a few birds. There are also a few human footprints, so I'm not the only one who has hiked up this wash recently.
Date: December 26, 2007, 14h23
|
|
