Quick Spring report around ET/Dodson trail

[elhombre]

Just got back tonight from a 10 day trip out to the dead BB desert.  I wanted to give the latest on what we found at some springs.  Get your outer mountain loop map or your Emory Pk quad to follow along.

We left from Juniper canyon TH and found a puddle that you COULD pump from at the Dodson ranch house 20 feet of the trail.  It was green but was deep enough.  The upper spring above the house and to the west was DRY. 

On your map follow the Dodson drainage down to the first marked spring south of the trail.  It had running water.

Continue down the Dodson drainage till the drainage dumps back into the Fresno creek proper right below Tortuga mountain.  Walk down Fresno creek  and right before the next drainage enters in from the right, we found water running.  The drainage from the right is the one that the ET trail crosses before heading up the hill towards Elephant Tusk mountain.  This spring is NOT labeled on any of my maps.

We climbed down waterworks and continued on down Fresno creek proper.  We found running water at the spring above "Fresno Spring" and it actually ran for about a 1/5 of a mile.  "Fresno Spring" proper had two nice water holes to pump from, but was not running.

As stated in other posts, Fresno creek was running below the Outer mountain loop trail for about a 1/3 mile below the trail crossing. 

One the bright side of such a dry desert, most all the Lechuguilla (aka. Mr Mean) is dead and can be easily kicked out of the way.

Trip report to come later from Cookie when she can get to it.   

[mule ears]

This appears to be the year everyone goes to the waterworks.  Starting with QS, drat, jeffblaylock, AyChi, and more.  I will be there in less than two weeks and it is good to know there is still some water.

Thanks elhombre.  I look forward to cookies report.

[Homer67]

We were at Fresno Spring on the 12th; some pools in the wash down from the spring, and water at the spring, but would most likely have to venture slightly into the growth there.  It looked friendly enough.

[Al]

QS, there are many ways to look at the same thing.  You could have joy that you shared your knowledge on an area of the park that otherwise had not been documented on this board.  In my experience folks that make that hike, because of the knowledge you shared, will be a very small percentage of those who visit the park or even of those who hike overnight in the park because it involves going off trail/cross country.  Those who do go off trail will generally be the more experienced folks who truly respect and enjoy one of the most basic attractions of the park, its remoteness, and will preserve it.  I would be more worried about trash washing down from the Dodson.

I must note that those tinajas are well documented through other means for those who wish to visit them.  I have learned over the years that there are many who do not participate in this board who have gone places and done things that we can only imagine. 

Reminds of when I found a small metal child's toy in a cave on top of the del Carmens.  I was the first one there . . . yeah right.

Al

[homerboy2u]

Reminds of when I found a small metal child's toy in a cave on top of the del Carmens.  I was the first one there . . . yeah right.

Al

 And that, Señor Al...is part of being humble and learning that as much you share with the board, you quickly learn that  there is always some one who has done more and visit more than YOU (not you necessarily Al, but you as the one who reads this).

 How many humans have been to the Waterworks...or on top of the Del Carmen's in the past 10,000-12,000 years?...gosh, i do not even want to mess with that question. Just to put things in perspective.

[TomJ]

Just got back tonight from a 10 day trip out to the dead BB desert.  I wanted to give the latest on what we found at some springs. 

Thanks for the report! Looks like I'll be down there mid-December and am really looking forward to getting back on - and off - the trail. I do appreciate you taking the time to let us know the condition of the springs.

TomJ
Tularosa, NM