I probably won't be much help but here goes. I used to chase drilling rigs down and have been in areas that most people don't get to see.
My son's boy scout troop used to be able to camp along Independence Creek on the Oasis ranch adjoining Chandlers. The troop could go once a year and they were the only scouts allowed on the ranch. The scouts could play in the creek all day long and the fishing was great (we did catch and release.) I always went on the camp outs and honestly didn't realize how lucky I was. What follows are random thoughts of the area.
Hwy. 349 coming out of Sheffield tops out on a very flat mesa. If you aren't paying attention you don't see the end of the Mesa coming and the drop off is quick and steep. I used to get a kick out of surprising a newbie with the drop off.
Down in the Canyon the road has lots of swells and dips as you cross drainage tributaries on the way to Independence Creek. This is a very treacherous area when it rains and several lives have been lost in cars that have washed off the road. I remember a family of 5 being lost down there in the 70's. Be careful if you are in that canyon in rainy weather.
We had a rig about 6 years ago west of Independence Creek in the bottom of Big Canyon. A flash flood and the mud loggers trailer (8x40',) rig tanks (10,000 gallons,) and a couple of pickups washed down the canyon. Approximately 15-20 people were stranded and rain and low clouds lasted several days. It was bad enough that a helicopter couldn't reach them and they eventually had to walk out.
South of Independence Creek there is a gas plant as you come out of Big Canyon. Behind that plant is the Banner Ranch and the Brown/Basset gas field. The Banner ranch was settled in the 1890's. The patriarch was a government surveyor and took his pay in land. There are some funny looking sections on the oil and gas lease maps and legend is that the all the springs in the area are on the Banner ranch.
The Pecos River splits the Banner Ranch and the Mitchell Ranch to the east. You have to go down there if you ever get a chance. It is nothing like the Pecos River to the north. There are several springs in the area that feed into the river. The Pecos from there on south is amazing clear and pure, what a place.
Two more things, there is lots of illegal immigrant traffic in the area. I have never heard of attacks from the illegals but you need to be careful. And this is the first place that I ever saw a Red Racer snake. Those suckers are big and fast and bright red, they look like they have been skinned.
I really like that area and have fond memories of it. Too bad that nearly all of the land is privately owned with virtually no access. I hope though that you get the opportunity to do some exploring down there,
Randy
