Exploratory Hike to West Truckhaven 1/22/13

A nice exploratory hike up West Truckhaven. We will have to complete the journey another day.

Smoke Tree Wash

The Group

Wind Caves

Dry Falls-Impossible

More Tilted Rock Strata

Elephant Rock

Tilted Rock Strata

Hiking the Lute Ridge Loop 1/20/13

We hiked the loop trail that Hal put together. To Lute Fault, up the ridge and down through a wash that ends up at West Truckhaven Road. A 3 hour journey from Xmas Circle and return. We ate lunch at Xmas Circle. George gave a nice lecture.

George Lecturing about Lute Fault

Looking across the valley from Lute Fault at the Clark Fault

Hiking Painted Canyon Near Borrego Springs December 28, 2012

Today, December 28th Joanne and I checked out Painted Canyon in the Mecca Hills. The ladders were intact however one ladder did not reach the top. Evidently a crew fixed the ladders after we left. Hopeeully the students coming in January will love this trip. The Geology of the area is remarkable. Located on the San Andreas Fault Line, Painted Canyon is one of the best hikes in North America. Ladders, slots, uplift, folding and generally tortured rock structure along with magnificent mineral intrusions of many colors highlight the canyon. 

A little ladder

Panted Canyon with layers of deposition and erosion

One of the last ladders

The ladder that caused some problems-too short, leading to the slot

Standing next to a pink (probably a pegmatite intrusion)