Wednesday, May 29, 2013

El Paso Mountains Road Trip, 5/18/13....

Rocky water color:  this photograph demonstrates the different types of terrain that can be encountered in the El Paso's. The reddish/white rocks are within the boundary of Red Rock Canyon  State Park.  The Park does extend into the El Paso range.

The trail that afforded this spectacular view is one of the many trails that have now been opened by the Bureau of Land Management, in the El Paso's.  Four wheel drive with low-range gearing is highly recommended, if not an absolute necessity, if one wishes to reach vistas like this.

Photograph by Scott Schwartz   

Thursday, May 23, 2013

El Paso Mountains 5/18/13

Where my un-modified SUV can take me......

Photo by Scott Schwartz

Why I use low-range-a lot!

Think back to when you've ridden a multi-speed bicycle.  When you used the lower gears, you couldn't go as fast, but it was easier to pedal and to climb hills.  True, you might be able tackle a small hill, in tenth gear, if you have the strength.  But, doing that on a regular basis will probably cause stress, and possibly long-term damage to your knees.

So, think of the low-range gears in your transfer case as serving a purpose similar to that of the low gears on a bicycle.  They enable the engine to produce a lot of power at low speed.  Sure, you can blast up many hills in high-range, but that can place a lot of stress on the engine and drive-train.  Doing this repeatedly can result in the failure of major components. 

So, after carefully reading your vehicles owners manual and learning how to operate your four-wheel drive system (after all, I cannot take any responsibility for damage to anyone's vehicle, nor for any injuries caused), take care to drive slowly and cautiously on the trail.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

El Paso Mountains off-road trip-5/18/2013

One of the many old mining cabins that can be found in the El Paso's.  This one is located at the southern edge of Bonanza Gulch.

Photo by Scott Schwartz

Monday, May 20, 2013

El Paso Mountains camping trip. May 18, 2013.

We set up camp at the site of an abandoned mine in Bonanza Gulch.  We managed to put our tents up between gusts of wind.  

It was a rather profound feeling-camping in an area that has such a rich history (see my really posts about the Bonanza Trail).

For dinner, my buddy and I opted for the simple approach-canned stew heated on our little camping stoves.

Photo by Scott Schwartz

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Off-road trip...

Your author is planning another trip into the El Paso Mountains, this weekend.  Stay tuned.....

Monday, May 13, 2013

Petrified Forest...

Long ago, the mineralized remains of ancient trees littered an area in the Western end of the El Paso Mountains, near Red Rock Canyon.  But most of the petrified wood has been taken away over the years-much of it sliced up and sold by souvenir-sellers.

Thursday, May 9, 2013

El Paso Mountains- 4/20/2013..

Hello friends:  This is the spectacular view of the Fremont Valley, from one of the hills in the El Paso Mountain Range.  The camera is pointed North West.  Photo by Scott Schwartz.

Monday, May 6, 2013

4/20/13 Trip to the El Paso Mountains.

Bickel Camp.  Apparently, the caretaker was on a break at the time of our visit. 

For background info.on Bickel Camp, see my earlier entries.

Photo by Scott Schwartz