El Camino Del Diablo 1-15/16 2011

[RedRoxx44]

I have my permit in hand. Throwing this out to see if any interest. Date is subject to change but this is a three day weekend for some due to the holiday. The free permit may be obtained from BLM or Cabeza Prieta Wildlife preserve. You must sign the hold harmless agreement and have a 4wd vehicle. I am not trip leader but will be around for those who want to hang out with Brian and myself. There is a lot of hiking potential. See Scott Warren's "Hiking Arizona's Cactus Country" . The country is open for just heading out with a pack, or scrambling up lots of small peaks. Very historic and I think quite remotely beautiful.

Randal S has a great write up on this on the site. I've solo driven and hiked all and portions of this several times, prior to the border patrol stations there now. I usually do not go armed, and I've not had any issues. I do leave water and some food outside my vehicle if I leave it; in case it is needed.

I will most likely be out there prior to this date because I still need to bag Tinaja Altas peak, and another highpoint near Papago Well, and I'll report back then.

[Davis2001r6]

Wish I could make it, that trip was a blast.

[hikeaz]

Wish I could make it, that trip was a blast.

x2

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I'd love a redux of "The Devil Road" => http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=7356

[RedRoxx44]

Just got back from a very interesting Christmas on the Camino. Complete with being tracked by border patrol ( on foot), during a hike; driving on the border maintenance road ( Pinta sands impassable due to rain/goo) and doing several interesting hikes including bagging Tinaja Altas peak at last. Absolutely incredible sunrise at the Tinaja Altas mountains complete with a thick fog bank on the desert playa. Also had some large mud holes to negotiate. Weird to have mud all over the vehicle instead of dust. Trip report later.

[big_load]

@RedRoxx44 Congratulations! I'd like to visit those hills, but the area seems hard-hit by immigration. I got my own dose of border patrol visiting Organ Pipe this fall. I hit six checkpoints in one day. One agent was a bit dubious about my story.

[RedRoxx44]

Actually in all my times on the El Camino I have seen only one illegal immigrant. Also you do not see evidence of trash etc as you see in the Huachucas and Chiricahuas. You most likely will see footprints etc but mostly you will see Border Patrol. I will say they were much more attentive than I have seen in the past.

[RedRoxx44]

Looks like work is getting in the way of this one, may have to cancel. I might move it to Feb time frame. Will know more tomorrow.

[Randal_Schulhauser]

I'm pretty much in the same boat with lots of January biz travel. February looks much better...

[PaleoRob]

Keep me updated. Either is still possible for me.

[RedRoxx44]

Work is definitely on now, and I need to look at my Feb calendar to see if and when a redo is possible. Have a week off somewhere in there that is a probably Death Valley area trip. Will cancel for now and let ya'll know when is a good weekend.