Birch Creek Quad ride

Thursday John Hauck and I decided to try to ride to my "Fish Camp" to do a little sight seeing and a bit of fishing. The original trail that we used last year is pretty rough and of course we wanted some new scenery. I had wanted to fly the trail to make sure that it was possible, but somehow never got the chance. The problem of course was that the trail started in Birch Creek, which is a BLM (Bureau of Land Management, or known by most of the west as Bureau of Lazy Men) managed camp ground. Now you might think that wouldn't be a problem, but I have found that most of the things controlled by the Gov. seem to be ruled by the "Fun police". If it could be fun, you are not allowed to do it. This area was no exception, there was a gate across the trail and a sign that said No fun allowed. I suppose that I should be glad that they don't allow travel there because if they did, there would be a lot of people going in there, as the area does get a lot of Chukar hunters in the fall.

We unloaded our quads at the top of the hill going down into Birch Creek. The view going in is quite nice.

The drop is almost 2000 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The river is quite nice, and full of Carp, finning on the top of the water. There are plenty of fish in the River, but none of them were hungry enough for lures. Holding out for worms, I guess.

 

 

The rock formations that have been exposed by the river and subsequent erosion by the elements are very pleasing. Kind of makes one wonder why every one gets so upset by erosion in the first place.

 

After we left the river, I took John up to Jordan Crater Lava flow. The flow has been dated at 2500 years ago by the lichen on the sides of the crater. 

 

The Lava has not taken on the broken and jumbled aspect that much of the older Lava Flows that one finds in other areas. The hole that you see is about 50 feet in diameter and I estimate 20 to 30 feet deep. Most of the lava is just a hollow crust. 

 

 

This was one of the spots that the Lava flowed out of or one of the last domes that were built up.

 

 

Even though the "Fun Police" foiled our plans, it was still a good trip.