Forum Index > Trip Reports > WA Scablands Tour: Nov. 27-28, 2021
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fourteen410
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Joined: 23 May 2008
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fourteen410
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PostMon Nov 29, 2021 1:35 am 
Headed over to the dry(ish) side of the state this weekend for some scabland exploration. Our first stop was Crab Creek/Goose Butte, near the Rocky Ford area. Parked at the BLM campground and did a counterclockwise loop under the watchful eyes of the local bovines.
The old stone house was in relatively good shape, considering it's 107 years old.
Dropping down to the creek, we spotted a pair of beautiful hawks(?). Sadly, they were not long for this world, as a bird hunter discovered them as we left.
The gurgling creek was a welcome sound following the shotgun blasts.
As we finished our loop, we discovered a couple of neat caves. Even more fascinating were the cliff sparrow nests tucked into the rock.
Back at the campground, the ground was surprisingly lush.
Next, we headed to Z Lake. This area was burned in the 2020 Whitney Fire, but has recovered nicely. A short walk of just over a mile brought us to the southern shore. Not long ago, a rowboat was available for use, but it seems to have disappeared. We ate a late lunch in the rain before heading back and checking out the remains of an old homestead along the way.
The next day, we headed out to Bobs Lakes near Odessa. The lakes have been dry for some time, but there is quite a bit of fascinating geology in the area.
The strangest part of the trip was finding sea shells and old snail-like creatures scattered all over the dry lakebed. Not something I'd expect to find in the middle of the desert.
We explored the basin for a bit longer before heading back up to the canyon rim.
We stopped at Cache Crater on our way out. In my opinion, this is the best of the Odessa Craters.
Then it was time to point our wheels west. I sure do miss the long days of summer, but can't complain too much about the sunsets this time of year.

Cyclopath, Lindsay, capbiker, zimmertr, reststep, day_hike_mike, GaliWalker, jstern, HitTheTrail, RichP
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GaliWalker
Have camera will use



Joined: 10 Dec 2007
Posts: 4916 | TRs | Pics
Location: Pittsburgh
GaliWalker
Have camera will use
PostMon Nov 29, 2021 9:25 am 
fourteen410 wrote:
Teasels and cattails...I never used to notice them in Washington. I see them all the time now, here in the mid-Atlantic.

'Gali'Walker => 'Mountain-pass' walker bobbi: "...don't you ever forget your camera!" Photography: flickr.com/photos/shahiddurrani
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zimmertr
TJ Zimmerman



Joined: 24 Jun 2018
Posts: 1215 | TRs | Pics
Location: Issaquah
zimmertr
TJ Zimmerman
PostMon Nov 29, 2021 10:52 am 
One time I was driving near Sequim talking with someone who grew up in Washington and the topic of cattails came up. I mentioned that I never see them here and asked her if she ever did. She replied "No" and that she didn't know what they were. 5 miles down the road later we saw a bunch of them in a drainage ditch haha. They're definitely more common in the swampy areas of Michigan.

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