Odd Stuff

[craig333]

I've run into a lot of strange stuff in the backcountry over the years. Today I was out trying to scope what I hoped might be a good group campground. After a few dead ends I finally find the road I'm looking for. Its all normal until the gate across the road. After the gate you can clearly see where they've run heavy equipment down the road, done some widening etc. Its heavily signed and fenced. Map shows about a mile of private land before its national forest again. I would normally assume its just closed for cattle. But, most of the cattle guys don't gate their land and or run heavy equipment down it. I tried a few other side roads and unless you have a trials bike it looks like the only way to access the fs land is by walking in.

I initially got interesting in this area when I was checking out the defunct Iron Mountain ski resort. At the base ( this was an unusual ski area where the resort was at the top and you ski'd down.) A nice big meadow at the bottom where you can see a road that looks very lightly traveled.

Now of course, considering my average level of paranoia i assume its just a marijuana operation going on back there.

Now this is not the first time I've seen odd stuff. But when your hair stands up and you start reaching for your guns you just wonder.

So, have you run into odd stuff? Or can you offer up a perfectly innocent explanation for this stuff?

 

[mtn-high]

I would say your instinct could be right on.

You were very smart to retreat. Them boyz don't take lightly to intrusion.

About all I've ever ran into were poachers....and since they had the guns and I didn't...I asked no questions and acted as if all was AOK.

"I've been standin on a rock
waitin for the wind to blow
I've been standing on a rock
waiitin for the wind to blow
I've been standin on a rock
waitin for my seeds to grow..." Ozark mountain daredevils

 

[chnlisle]

Several years ago we were camping in Spring Valley, NV. We found a nice spot about 400 yds away from a group of 3 guys. It turned out they were bow hunters and it was deer season. These guys couldn't be more un-friendly so we decide to leave. as we drove off they started yelling "get the f**k out you a$$holes" and similar intelligent discourse. It was getting dark so we just found a place to park and get some sleep.

About 2AM we were awakened by gun fire. I went out into the cold to see several trucks with off road lights hunting deer. They would run them down and shoot them. Thankfully they didn't have helicopters.

And this place was recommended by Sunset Magazine.

 

[craig333]

I tried looking at the area with google earth, unfortunately its fairly low resolution and info is from 2005.

 

[EdoHart]

If they've been using heavy equipment, I would guess it's not marijuana growers - those people prefer to remain hidden.

When the hairs on the back of your neck go up, pay close attention.

I've had 3 spooky encounters with people in the desert. The first time I towed a woman (I thought she was a man, the hair on her chin confused me) to a cabin and gave her enough food and water to last about 5 days. Because I was helping her, she revealed that she was carrying a foot long knife blade in the folds of her clothes and everything was copacetic. It wasn't until she was settled in the cabin and I asked who I could call to let them know that she was in the cabin that things got weird. Rather than push the subject, I decided to leave her to her own survival skills.

The second time, it was after midnight when I saw a van on the side of a dirt road about 50 miles from no where. I pulled up to ask if they needed help and before I had finished asking, I knew everything was wrong! When it was clear that they didn't want help, I got the hell out of there. The next day I found out that someone was shooting burros in the area. I reported the encounter to the local Sheriff and I was not the first to describe that van.

The third time, I was pulled far off to the side of the road, exploring the skies with my telescope, when I saw headlights a long ways away. I got a bad feeling and packed as quickly as I could. I had just enough time to pack everything into the truck and jump into the drivers seat with the keys in the ignition, ready to bolt, when they jumped over a berm in front of me, screamed like a bunch of banshees, threw out a bunch of beer bottles and raced away.

When the hair on the back of my neck goes up, I pay attention.

 

[mtn-high]

FWIW, Californoia is a crazy place and there are many, many folks out yer way who plant thier yearly "medical" gardens (in plain view) via the use of heavy equipment.

If anyone wants to know more/hear a few tales that will open your eyes....ask me to broach the topic around the campfire as such a place is undoubtedly more suited for such off-the-hook tangents than this forum.

be safe, all.

mtn