Stone Snake, climbing higher than necessary, and a wonderful day....

Our Location: just outside Borrego Springs, California

A better night’s sleep as I had cocooned myself under the duvet, I missed sunrise not waking until just a few minutes past 7 am. Oh well, I know the sun did rise because it was high in the sky all day. 

 

See us way over there, we're in the middle of that row .....

Riley and I had decided yesterday to forgo our morning ritual of a hot a drink before doing anything else. Instead this morning just before 8 am we were out the door with our backpack of water/granola bars and walking sticks heading off to find the elusive Stone Snake. I say elusive because we only had a general idea of where it was located. Doug from Miss Adventure Travels pointed it out during his visit telling us we’d have to kind of search a bit. Which was okay with us as we wanted to walk anyway. I have of course been reading about this snake for a number of years and decided to see it for myself. So thanks to all those that have written about it over the years, just another one of those things that draws a person to an area. Knowing the unique things to keep an eye out for.

 

We already climbed the first big hill and took the trail on the right to the top of the second....

We crossed the roadway which I believe at this point may be called Peg Leg or Peg Leg Smith’s. We followed the pretty rough trail up, up, up to the top of the first rise of the hills. We then went down into the valley and climbed yet again, a much steeper hill but took our time and enjoyed the effort. We now reached a small plateau but with a bit more of a climb we reached the highest of the point of the first two hills. Riley sat down to rest and I continued to walk to a few other crests off to the east and west hoping to see the famed creature. 

 

Way off in the distance in the center lies the town of Borrego Springs....

 

 

That is Rock House Road parking area down there....and way, way off in that direction is the Salton Sea. 

At one point I mentioned to Riley that I thought perhaps we’d gone too far and were above the snake, and sure enough we were. I could see it when I climbed the last little knoll toward Rock House Road, there it was way down below in all it’s wonderful glory. I headed back to where Riley was resting and explained that had we actually known what we were looking for we may have seen it earlier and not realized it. Sure enough the lower we went, the less we could define what we were looking at. Once down in the valley area between the first and second hills we climbed we headed off to the east or our left, finding ways to reach the small plateau. Within a short time we reached the plateau containing the Stone Snake, along with a few other stone critters, designs and displays. Riley once again sat down in the shade and enjoyed the view. We added two small stones to the creature as our signature ‘we’ve been here’. I’d thought about building an Inukshuk but decided against it.

 

That's us off to the left of center, we're the first trailer you can see due to a plateau that  is blocking some of the area closer to the roadway....

That is Borrego Springs over there in the distance...

We opted to go back down the way we had come instead of taking the much more shaded path down into Rock House Road BLM area. We would still have had to walk quite a distance in the sun. So we made our way carefully down the same path we had taken up. It was an excellent climb, I truly enjoyed it and I think while Riley found it challenging she’s also very proud of herself and her fantastic accomplishment today. She proven to herself that she can hike  if she really wants to do it. I can’t tell you how proud I am of her for her effort and her achievement. Way to go Magoo.

 

That is looking north from up top of that steep road on the right in one of the previous pictures...

 

 

This is looking toward Rock House Road and way down in the valley between these two mountain ranges is the dry lake bed.....

Back home about 2 hours from when we’d departed, we were very happy to sit down and rest. We both prepped lunch today before deciding to lay down and have a wee nap before lunch. Not a long one just about 45 minutes. The sun wears us out here and it’s one of the reasons we like to get out and about in the morning when it’s cooler. I was back up before 1 pm and Riley was awake shortly after that. 

Isn't this a majestic view? It's looking northeast.....

This is the direction of Rock House Road parking area, to the left would be the dry lake and below the middle of the picture would be all of those campers and to the right much further down would be the Stone Snake....

We both enjoyed our salads putting off cooking lunch for a bit. Shortly after 2 pm I did toss on the grill the mixed veggies packet of fresh asparagus, beans, and mushrooms with parsley and oregano seasonings, along with potatoes wedges and bourbon chicken breast. It was only a short 40 minutes later we were dining on our feast. It was excellent, and we both cleaned up every bit food on our plate.

 

This is looking east south east with Rock House Road on the left, the snake is down in that hollow in the middle and we would be parked more to the right of the picture, just out of sight....

You can see us now, that's long sandy open area is us, and to the right is the road leading to Borrego Springs.

From there I went back outside to read and just enjoy the weather. Not too hot sitting here under shade tree, a slight breeze making the difference for me. However as of now 6:05 pm there is no wind at all, and hasn’t been for a few hours. I’m sitting outside in my shorts and t shirt but with a sweater on. The big door is still open as are all the windows and vents. Truly great temperatures here in the desert at night.

 

That bunch of rocks in the middle of the sandy area to the left is the snake, can you see it?

 

 

He is a rather interesting fellow with some company in that little area. A tortoise, an eagle's head, a scorpion (maybe), some flowers and I think one other thing that I can't remember. 

Sunset was amazing tonight, in a very different way than last night. Not so many pinks and warm tones but more yellows and some pale reds but the reds are lingering in the night skies and a hint can still be seen if one looks.

 

This is the view just around the edge of the snake plateau, that's Rock House Road down there....and that unit in the middle of the picture is Doug and Yuma's....

Can you see it now? Pretty nice spot they have for sure....

Tentative plans have sister in law Janet and perhaps her friend Sue coming down for the day on Wednesday, when Riley and I will play tour guide. The metal sculptures are of course going to be the main attraction, I think a visit to Christmas Circle as well, and we’ll be looking for a place to have a nice lunch. If anyone has any suggestions I’d love to hear them.

 

Once again that is our parking location in the center of the picture that sandy looking space, to the right is the road to Borrego Springs..

 

Sunset didn't have the same colours as last night but still amazing...

The smell of a campfire is in the air, wafting gently as the breeze is picking up now. There is nothing like the scent of a camp fire to add the perfect ending to an excellent day. A few cars on the roadway rolling by but nothing overly much and they are all pretty quiet. Some lights here and there in the desert darkness and the twinkling lights of Borrego Springs off in the distance. Way off in the background noise is a generator running somewhere quite far off though. The neighbour lady down the way is scolding either a child, her fella or the dog, I’m not sure which but whichever one it is they apparently 'know better and shouldn’t do it again'. I’m not sure if that little speech has accomplished anything but I have my doubts, don’t you?

 

This is off to the north over the area we hiked today....

So there you have it, our very good day. It was entertaining, educational, and extremely satisfying. I hope your day has been a good one as well. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed your visit. Feel free to drop a comment before you leave, I read them all. 

 

That is over to the Northwest, where I think LA would be located....

Until next time… take care, be safe, 

 

 

An amazing night sky here in Borrego Springs...

Deb