Trail Report: Nightmare Gulch/Last Chance, Black Rock Canyon

[FishPOET]

Tracy had wanted to do a Nightmare Gulch run on Halloween last year but things just didn't work out. We made it happen this year.

Tracy and I left La Habra at 1pm on Friday October 30. We met up with karstic and headed for Red Rock Canyon State Park. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=631 We stopped in Jawbone Station at 4:30pm to inquire about dispersed camping in RRCSP. http://www.jawbone.org/station.htm We were informed the only camping in RRCSP is in Ricardo Campground. We decided to try to find a quite spot in Jawbone Canyon. We found our spot near the water pipeline on the southern edge of Jawbone Canyon.





We had some neighbors a hundred yards away but they did not bother us and we did not bother them. It turned out to be a fine campsite.

We had a campfire Friday night for a short while and called it an evening around 8pm.

Saturday morning found us at the Nightmare Gulch trailhead at 9:30am. We decorated the Black Pearl for Halloween and of course I was a pirate and Tracy was a wench.





Andy & Jen


Tracy in the Black Pearl getting some flex


The Black Pearl in a tight squeeze


Tracy passing out candy on the trail




Nightmare Gulch on Halloween was an absolute blast.

[FishPOET]

After we finished Nightmare Gulch we had lunch in Last Chance Canyon. http://www.tflcc.org/

karstic on a hill climb in Last Chance Canyon


Bickel Camp


http://www.bickelcamp.org/


karstic in the V notch in Last Chance Canyon


The Black Pearl in the V notch in Last Chance Canyon






Team Perks enjoying Last Chance Canyon




We got back to camp around 3pm on Saturday and we enjoyed Halloween evening sharing stories around the campfire.

[FishPOET]

Sunday Stephan cooked up German Pancackes for breakfast and we were on the trail by 9am.

We headed for Black Rock Canyon which is just outside the raptor closure area that went into effect 11/1.





To our surprise there was a fabulous section in Black Rock Canyon that had an interesting hill climb and some tight turns.







After Black Rock Canyon we headed for Opal Canyon and Mr Barret's Opal Mine.





Back at camp at 1pm. Home at 5pm. The weather was warm and sunny during the day, windy and chilly at night. It was a fabulous weekend in the desert.

[Mitch]

Doug,

Looks like another great adventure! The Black Pearl has never looked better. Thanks for the pictures.

Mitch

[FishPOET]

more pics at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamper...7622709891996/