What have you found on or off the trail?
Posted: Sep 09 2002 2:06 pm
I Hiked the H3 trail in Thunderbird Park yesterday morning in the rain. Lots
of washed out areas on the trail and lots of standing water and mud from
rain during the night and the day before. I found some interesting things
on the trail. There were lots of little bright red bugs that looked like tics, but
they were flat and extremely bright red with white legs. Didn't get a real
close look at them cause I had the wrong eyeware on. I wonder if the rain
brought them out? Anyone know what they are? Also found quite a few
spent rounds of ammunition: brass casing, various shaped bullets, and
copper jackets right on the trail. I'm not surprised though, I remember there was a
shooting range in the area back in the 50's and going there with my dad,
although it was on the other side of the mountain and at the bottom. I'm
sure there was a lot of shooting going on all over in the area because
back then that was a good distance out of the city. Anyway I'm sure the recent rain
exposed them.
http://www.extremezone.com/~kurth/offsi ... ullets.jpg
In October of 1990 I was southeast of Chevlon Butte and I came up on
what I thought was a gradually sloping rise. I decided to get to the top of it
to have a good look at the area around it. When I got to the to the top, a
rather wide expanse, I sat down on some rocks to survey the area. While
I'm sitting there panning the countryside, I realized what a great view it
was. Off in one direction I could see Monument Valley formations, and in
another The San Francisco Peaks, and in another I could see for miles
and miles. It was amazing; almost surreal because there weren't any
other places near there where you had such an incredible view. After
admiring the view for some time I looked down around the ground by the
rocks where I was sitting. It was covered with broken pieces of pottery.
And after looking around some more it was easy to see that the rocks I
was sitting on were at one time a structure. There were maybe 15 or so
similar sized circular foundations. Some were not as distinguishable as
others. I found what I believed to be ovens or at least where there had
been fires in the same area over and over for some time. There were
arrowheads and chips and countless pieces of pottery with various red,
white and black designs. All of this stuff was laying on the surface of the
ground in the midst of the ruins. I did absolutely no digging and I took
nothing. I hiked around the perimeter of the area just to see what else I
could find. I found a drop off the rise into a small valley where there was a
still functioning dam with a reservoir behind it just large enough to serve a
community that size. This is the first time I've ever told anyone about this. I
remember wondering if anyone else had stumbled upon it or if it's
documented anywhere. There was a barbed wire fence quite close and I
found an old Prince Albert can. So I know for sure some cowboys have
seen it. I don't know the coordinates but I know I could find it again. I won't
be any more specific than that. My brother, his wife and a friend were with
me and we all agreed it would be best if we didn't tell anyone about it. I'm
not good at secrets. This was a great thing to experience. Anyone out
there know what it is or ever seen it? If you were in a small plane and not
to high(altitude wise) it would be quite easy to see.
of washed out areas on the trail and lots of standing water and mud from
rain during the night and the day before. I found some interesting things
on the trail. There were lots of little bright red bugs that looked like tics, but
they were flat and extremely bright red with white legs. Didn't get a real
close look at them cause I had the wrong eyeware on. I wonder if the rain
brought them out? Anyone know what they are? Also found quite a few
spent rounds of ammunition: brass casing, various shaped bullets, and
copper jackets right on the trail. I'm not surprised though, I remember there was a
shooting range in the area back in the 50's and going there with my dad,
although it was on the other side of the mountain and at the bottom. I'm
sure there was a lot of shooting going on all over in the area because
back then that was a good distance out of the city. Anyway I'm sure the recent rain
exposed them.
http://www.extremezone.com/~kurth/offsi ... ullets.jpg
In October of 1990 I was southeast of Chevlon Butte and I came up on
what I thought was a gradually sloping rise. I decided to get to the top of it
to have a good look at the area around it. When I got to the to the top, a
rather wide expanse, I sat down on some rocks to survey the area. While
I'm sitting there panning the countryside, I realized what a great view it
was. Off in one direction I could see Monument Valley formations, and in
another The San Francisco Peaks, and in another I could see for miles
and miles. It was amazing; almost surreal because there weren't any
other places near there where you had such an incredible view. After
admiring the view for some time I looked down around the ground by the
rocks where I was sitting. It was covered with broken pieces of pottery.
And after looking around some more it was easy to see that the rocks I
was sitting on were at one time a structure. There were maybe 15 or so
similar sized circular foundations. Some were not as distinguishable as
others. I found what I believed to be ovens or at least where there had
been fires in the same area over and over for some time. There were
arrowheads and chips and countless pieces of pottery with various red,
white and black designs. All of this stuff was laying on the surface of the
ground in the midst of the ruins. I did absolutely no digging and I took
nothing. I hiked around the perimeter of the area just to see what else I
could find. I found a drop off the rise into a small valley where there was a
still functioning dam with a reservoir behind it just large enough to serve a
community that size. This is the first time I've ever told anyone about this. I
remember wondering if anyone else had stumbled upon it or if it's
documented anywhere. There was a barbed wire fence quite close and I
found an old Prince Albert can. So I know for sure some cowboys have
seen it. I don't know the coordinates but I know I could find it again. I won't
be any more specific than that. My brother, his wife and a friend were with
me and we all agreed it would be best if we didn't tell anyone about it. I'm
not good at secrets. This was a great thing to experience. Anyone out
there know what it is or ever seen it? If you were in a small plane and not
to high(altitude wise) it would be quite easy to see.
I think Kurthzone has sent us all on another adverture. The exploration and anticipation will be delicious. The description of the view intrigues me. I just love exploring. After I get this mess from the carwreck cleaned up and everything rebuilt, I will be able to go on some more adventures. For now something like this will be my vicarious thrill.