BajaNomad

On the trail at Meling Ranch

Ken Bondy - 2-19-2015 at 12:12 PM

October 1978, runway in background:

Barry A. - 2-19-2015 at 02:14 PM

Great shot!!!

My first hiking trip out of Meling Ranch to the Plateau was in 1954 with Edward "Bud" Bernhard and other's, but we used mules and horses to carry most of the camp-gear. It was a 8 day trip (I think), and a highlight of my life!!! We ran out of food early at La Grulla, and our Mexicano wranglers went out and shot a couple of deer to eat-------best venison I EVER had!!!

Barry

Vince - 2-19-2015 at 03:31 PM

Yes, Barry, and I was with you on that trip. The vaqueros hung the deer up for the night and the next morning we saw cougar tracks in the campsite area, attracted by the deer. That venison was very tasty!

David K - 2-19-2015 at 04:03 PM

Wow, a couple of old Baja farts!

I am so HAPPY to see people posting who were there before pavement!

Barry A. - 2-19-2015 at 04:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Vince  
Yes, Barry, and I was with you on that trip. The vaqueros hung the deer up for the night and the next morning we saw cougar tracks in the campsite area, attracted by the deer. That venison was very tasty!


LOL----------I KNEW you were, Vince, but I did not want to say so without your permission. :biggrin:

What a GREAT trip that was. On that trip I took a round-trip day-ride over to Botella Azul (Blue Bottle) and La Encantada meadow and environs bareback on one of the pack-horses, and the next day I thought you all would have to just leave me in La Grulla---------bloody sore, I was!!! (I think I still have scars). Oh, to be 16 again, or maybe 17, not sure which or exact year ('54 or '55).

The "good ol days" for sure.

Barry

Barry A. - 2-19-2015 at 04:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Wow, a couple of old Baja farts!

I am so HAPPY to see people posting who were there before pavement!


In those days, David, we could not get our 2-wheel drive vehicles beyond Secorro, the old gold camp, and only really extreme 4x4 vehicles could go on up to La Corona meadow in good years. On that trip, as I remember, we took our hike SSE on a horse-trail from Secorro eventually ending up in La Grulla-----a very long hike (some rode horses). It was a big loop trip, and we ended up coming out via La Corona and down the bad and very steep dirt road back to Socorro and our vehicles. La Grulla meadow was sorta the main camp and staging area for us, making several side trips from there. La Grulla was absolutely beautiful in those days, and I assume still is------never been back, sadly.

Barry

Neal Johns - 2-19-2015 at 04:28 PM

Gee, you guys are OLD! :o:o:o

David K - 2-19-2015 at 04:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Barry A.  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Wow, a couple of old Baja farts!

I am so HAPPY to see people posting who were there before pavement!


In those days, David, we could not get our 2-wheel drive vehicles beyond Secorro, the old gold camp, and only really extreme 4x4 vehicles could go on up to La Corona meadow in good years. On that trip, as I remember, we took our hike SSE on a horse-trail from Secorro eventually ending up in La Grulla-----a very long hike (some rode horses). It was a big loop trip, and we ended up coming out via La Corona and down the bad and very steep dirt road back to Socorro and our vehicles. La Grulla meadow was sorta the main camp and staging area for us, making several side trips from there. La Grulla was absolutely beautiful in those days, and I assume still is------never been back, sadly.

Barry


1962:



1970:



1978:


Note the mission in all three maps... the entire sierra is named after the mission.

Barry A. - 2-19-2015 at 04:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Neal Johns  
Gee, you guys are OLD! :o:o:o


Well, not sure of THAT! Maybe our trip was in the '80's ???? or '90's???? as we CAN'T be THAT old?!?!?! I am so confused!!

Vince may be old, but not me!!!

Now, as for Neal?????????? (best we leave THAT alone less the WIW hear about it)

Barry