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Author: Subject: 2015 Nomad 'Hike for Walter Henderson's Rock-Pile' (Lost Diaz Grave Mystery)
David K
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[*] posted on 3-20-2015 at 07:17 PM


Thank you Phil!!!



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[*] posted on 3-20-2015 at 07:50 PM


The wash walls close in on both side as you furthere back. The dam is to the right of Phil's head in the tan looking area in the 1st picture.

In the 2nd picture the water way down to the dam follows a path up and to the left. The dam is straight back in the 2nd picture.

I think we just need to go down and take a second look.

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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 09:53 AM


I wonder just how sure Henderson was as to where he parked his car.
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David K
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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 09:58 AM


Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
I wonder just how sure Henderson was as to where he parked his car.


Well, I think we have that figured well, he reached the summit at noon, then went down the rougher, steeper canyon to Arroyo Grande. I figure 10 miles (5 hours walk) from the Model A to the Sierra Pinta Divide at the top of Arroyo A.

His details are pretty good considering it was the 1930's and he wrote them 30 years later.

I will begin sharing the actual letter here, get more input on what he says... I also just did a series of satellite images of Arroyo A with Bing, and they are clearer than Google....




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David K
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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 10:08 AM
Bing Satellite Maps of Arroyo A






Blue arrow on left is Arroyo Grande and on right is top of Arroyo A (Divide). 2 miles hike between them, 550' elevation gain.
Red arrow on left is the dam, possible blockage to hike. The second red arrow is another possible difficult pass, but both look to have options to get around, perhaps on the north?


Now, close up of our route from Arroyo Grande to the Divide... The first three have north at the top, the next three have east at the top.

















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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 10:12 AM


Henderson's words to Choral Pepper was that the rock pile was so obvious that it could be seen by a plane flying over the area... I am surprised I haven't seen it on these satellite images! Do any of you see an oval pile of dark rocks on a small mesa-like knob of land, along the north side of the west flowing arroyo? It stands out like it was man made for sure.

[Edited on 3-21-2015 by David K]




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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 10:32 AM


David,

how many hurricanes/storms might have altered the landscape since 1930.
The oval rock pile might be no longer in that shape, and even with the better resolution of your last pictures, would be hard to detect in there.
Boots on the ground, maybe a metal detector and a split up search team (with handheld radios) would be a good plan.
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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 10:40 AM


Anything you guys want to do Karl, I just think we need to enjoy ourselves and whatever we find in there will make for fun reading here for all those who can't join us.

If the rock pile is from January, 1541, it had survived to 1930 pretty well... another 80 years couldn't have been a lot worse than the 400 before... I hope?!




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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 10:57 AM
Sharing Secrets...


It is my hope that this mystery of where the rock pile was, or what it is can be solved in my lifetime. I have had the letter for a dozen years and shared it with a few people. Now, that we are putting this effort into going up one possible canyon in a couple weeks, let me share the actual letter that Choral Pepper teased us all with in her book and magazine stories.

I have zoomed in on the two pages of the letter and one page of directions so that 1/2 a page is per scan, to make reading as easy as possible. I cut out his street address, of course Walter is long gone and his house may be to?

Scan 1 (half a page):







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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 11:01 AM
Scan 2






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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 11:26 AM
Scan 3










Mentioned and pointed out, on the 1962 Lower Ca Guidebook Map 3: Remember, there was no Hwy. 5 back then, the old road to San Felipe may have been close, however.
*La Ventana
*Road running west from just north of El Chinero, about 20 miles south of La Ventana.
* Take off about 5 miles below road north of El Chinero
* RED ARROW: Parked at Base of hills
* Arroyo Grande
* Base of Cerro Borrego




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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 11:30 AM
Scan 4 of 6






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David K
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[*] posted on 3-21-2015 at 11:36 AM
Scan 5 & 6







I hope desert rats and Baja buffs enjoy this and if you come to some different conclusions as to where we should look, please share! I have given all I can to this mystery up until I actually go climbing in those hills on Easter weekend.




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[*] posted on 3-22-2015 at 06:09 PM


These additional letters really do shed a lot more light on the possible locations of the rock piles.
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[*] posted on 3-22-2015 at 07:08 PM


elbeau you should come out and join us. I'll make you breakfast everyday with home made grits, TX style.
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[*] posted on 3-22-2015 at 08:15 PM


Quote: Originally posted by TMW  
elbeau you should come out and join us. I'll make you breakfast everyday with home made grits, TX style.


Texas style? I prefer my grits Mississippi style. If I could make it I'd treat you to some REAL grits.
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[*] posted on 3-22-2015 at 08:38 PM


You knowledge of grits is based on movies. There's really no way for you to understand.;)
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[*] posted on 3-23-2015 at 09:34 AM


Quote: Originally posted by David K  
So come on down to Southern California Saturday after next and make us Mississippi grits Sunday morning!


Sorry, but you can't make Mississippi grits without hunting for fresh squirrel first.


(I'm actually just making all this up for conversation. The best way to eat squirrel is stewed, although now that I'm imagining it, squirrel-meat grits actually sounds quite tasty)
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[*] posted on 3-23-2015 at 11:29 AM


I wish I could go on this adventure! Alas, I will be headed to points further south and west while you are investigating in the desert. Looking forward to your trip reports!

[Edited on 3-23-2015 by bajaandy]




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[*] posted on 3-23-2015 at 11:40 AM


I make my grits many different ways but my favorite is with bacon and tomatoes.

I use instant grits with water not milk.

[Edited on 3-23-2015 by TMW]
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