[Bloated Chipmunk]

Just a quickie urban walk this time, due to T-storms in the mtns. & a lecture I was scheduled to attend in the evening. I've been to this place many times, as it's an easy trip down the 94 to the TH & is never busy...especially on Mondays when I usually go. The closest TH for me is the one w/the "old steel bridge" off of the 94 near Target in Rancho San Diego. There is just a simple dirt lot, & the TH signs are a bit further in, after the bridge. It was a hot morning when I went this time, & I only saw 2 other peeps.

Old steel bridge

Dusty trail

Some big trees

Trail narrows

Murky water

Often I just walk to the 1st bridge & then turn back, but this time I explored further. I've always been curious to see the edge of Sweetwater Reservoir, which is a couple miles to the SW. Needless to say, in our drought conditions there wasn't much to see.

Green strip

Pipe bridge

Can't cross here

Toward the green

The trail curved southish & approached the edge of the reservoir. I smelled something like rotting carcass.

What's that stench?

Upon closer inspection, I found the source...

Oh.

Ironically, there were signs posted about keeping the place sanitary since it was used as drinking water supply.

"...sanitation and purification...", yet there's dead fish in it?

Well, if the water ever tastes fishy, I guess that's why. In any case, I walked a little ways further until it was evident that there wasn't going to be a much better view of the reservoir that was mostly dry in this section anyway.

Where I turned back

Heading back toward San Miguel

View back to the NE

Dry

Shades

[Ski]

I think you need to call the County and tell them they need to put a little more razor wire on that pipe bridge.