First post hello, and ? on Dominguez Trailhead

[TheNorm]

Hi to all,

I just found this site...I can't believe I never looked for a discussion group on BB before!

I've been many times, but am going again this week after 5 years of missing trips. Things have changed on the border since I have been, how much I can't seem to get a straight answer.

I plan to park at the Dominguez trail head and hike in per usual. Thing is, what is the risk factor to the vehicles left there? 2 calls to the ranger station gave 2 very different reports. Anyone have any stats on the past year, any breakins, or other info?

I can hardly wait to get back out there, and of course I'll post pics when we return.

sx

[BigBendHiker]

Sounds great.  Looking forward to the pictures and trip report!


BBH

[Undertaker]

Welcome, hope you enjoy chat room. Answer to your question is when we were there over labor day recomendation was to lock vehicle and secure anything of value. Common sense, but more so along border since border is shut down, no real power exist to control theft, as threat to shut down border no longer applies. One of chat room members is ranger with park, he will most likely have the current reports. BBWebmaster.

Personally I have never had trouble in park with theft, but things change, enjoy trip, take and submit photos.  :lol:  8)

[01ACRViper]

i have heard reports that a large number of break ins occour at the Dominquez trailhead. i've never felt my jeep was at risk in the park, but you never know

[TheWildWestGuy]

When I was in the Park in April 2006 I did the Dominquez hike and was warned by the ranger issuing permits about a break in they had there in ~winter of 2005 where a bunch of camping gear ($1000's worth) was stolen from a vehicle at the trailhead.   But there had not been any break-in's at this spot for a long time before that so it's an isolated incident.
I was gone for 2 nights and nobody messed with my vehicle.  I think your safe as long as you keep valuables hidden, lock everything, and write a note for your dashboard that says "Nothing of Value Left in Vehicle" in big bold Sharpie letters.
When you leave the old road and enter the dry wash leading up to the Springs be SURE to make special note of the trail junction and location as it can be very hard to find it on the way back.  I missed it and hiked all the way down to the River Road without water, sweating profusely, and more than a little worried about it and pissed off at myself for having left the springs with only 1 liter since I thought I would be back at my truck in only a couple hours and it was all downhill and good trail.   Those are the kind of mistakes that can be fatal if things don't work out well.
There should be plenty of water flowing at Dominquez right now and also at a larger spring about 2 miles up the "Fisk Canyon" near where the trail branches off to go to Elephant Tusk.
If you get the chance you could consider these dayhikes/sidetrips:
1- Hike Up Fisk Canyon to large springs, branch off and go towards Elephant Tusk along the dry canyon on the North flank of Dominquez Mtn.
2- Hike Up Fisk Canyon to the high dry pass overlooking the Smokey Creek drainage (~4-5 miles each way).  There are several springs and pour-offs along this route along with a few tree's and interesting topography.
3- Hike up to the Top of Jacks Pass the high saddle to the West of the springs in the Sierra Quemada escarpment, only about a 45 minute hike from the springs, follow the old fence as far up as you can and then cut to the South around the hoodo outcrops and you will find a faint deer trail up to the summit.   Great views, wind, and a short hike from Dominquez.

I have photo's posted in my photo album in the MSN bigbendphotos site.
Wish I was going with you... TWWG

[TheNorm]

Thanks for all the input.

WW, yes I missed the turn on the return trip last time, caught it early though. I have a horrible sense of direction, and get completely distracted by the scenery, fresh air, lack of phones/faxes/advertisements. I always take gear to stay out of trouble though (compass, topos, water, food, friends I can count on and who can count on me to get us un-lost fast). We are careful.

I'm going to pull out my maps from last time (5 yrs ago??) and see where we went. We did some long hikes, found some great washes, and went up a peak (name??) returning via what I think is Jack's Pass.

Which reminds me.... the way up we found a slot in the mnt with a huge rock lodged in it (like the size of a truck). The climb around the rock was somewhat dangerous without pro, but there was a tiny hole up under it you could climb up and through. It was a nice short cut to the top. The hike back around (toward Jack's Pass) had another shortcut marked with a rock pile. I looked at it and thought it was a reasonably safe scramble down, but others in the crew didn't, so we took the long hike around.

It's a great area... dang I gotta pack...

[okiehiker]

I have never had any problems there, although it has been several years since I left a vehicle there.

The last time I came out that way I brought the group to the trailhead and my middle son and I ran back to Fresno Creek where we had left the vehicles.  My youngest son filled my niece's pack with rocks on the last morning, an act for which she still has not forgiven him.  It is a beautiful area.

One great dayhike in the area is into the Punta de la Sierra.  The terrain is extremely rugged but beautiful.  You have a South Rim like view off the south rim of the PDLS and a dozen individual summits ranging from easy scrambles to challenging rock climbing.



Enjoy your trip and post a report when you get back!

[bigcreek]

We did that hike in the fall of 05. had no problem with the vehicle.parked at the trailhead .We also didn't pay attention to the junction of the trail & wash.After zig zagging a while we climbed a hill and located the truck with binocs and went straight to it. Happy trails

[Drifter]

that is when gps comes in handy.