FishPOET
La Habra, CA
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Joined: 06/25/2007
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Tracy had wanted to do a Nightmare Gulch run on Halloween last year but things just didn't work out. We made it happen this year.
Tracy and I left La Habra at 1pm on Friday October 30. We met up with Stephan & Sonia and headed for Red Rock Canyon State Park. RRCSP We stopped in Jawbone Station at 4:30pm to inquire about dispersed camping in RRCSP. Jawbone Canyon We were informed the only camping in RRCSP is in Ricardo Campground. We decided to try to find a quite spot in Jawbone Canyon. We found our spot near the water pipeline on the southern edge of Jawbone Canyon.
We had some neighbors a hundred yards away but they did not bother us and we did not bother them. It turned out to be a fine campsite.
We had a campfire Friday night for a short while and called it an evening around 8pm.
Saturday morning found us at the Nightmare Gulch trailhead at 9:30am. We decorated the Black Pearl for Halloween and of course I was a pirate and Tracy was a wench.
Nightmare Gulch has a very limited window of opportunity. It is completely closed from February 1 through June 30. From July 1 to January 31 it is open the 1st half of each month to pedestrians and equestrians. The 2nd half of each month it is open to motorized travel.
Tracy was passing out candy to everyone along the trail
This was my first time on Nightmare Gulch and it is an amazing trail. It has challenging terrain, fabulous geology, and all-around awesome scenery.
More photos can be seen here and here
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FishPOET
La Habra, CA
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Joined: 06/25/2007
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The Nightmare Gulch trail ends in last Chance Canyon. We had lunch in Last Chance Canyon. After lunch we found a fun hill climb.
We headed North to Bickel Camp.
Walt Bickel's Cabin
Bickel Camp was very interesting. We left Bickel Camp and headed South through Last Chance Canyon. The V Notch was fun.
We finished up last Chance Canyon around 3pm and then it was back to camp for some Halloween cheer around the campfire.
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FishPOET
La Habra, CA
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Sunday morning 11/1 found us back on the trail in Black Rock Canyon. Black Rock Canyon sits just outside the now closed section of RRCSP.
After Black Rock Canyon we headed for Opal Canyon and the Barrett Opal Mine.
We found a few very small Opals.
We were back at camp at 1pm. Home at 5pm. The weather was warm and sunny during the day, windy and chilly at night. It was a fabulous weekend in the desert.
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AnEv942
CA
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Joined: 10/10/2003
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Nice pics! Dont know why its called Nighmare Gulch, gota wonder but it is just an amazing-inspiringly beautiful lil canyon.
01 Ford 250 4X4 DRW Diesel, 01 Elkhorn 9U
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btggraphix
Golden, CO
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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Nice report - great 4x4 shots. Think you could get a full-sized hard sided TC up that little gully?  Just kidding!
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Nemo667
Louisiana
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Joined: 10/28/2004
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Love the shots in the V..."Have jeep, will travel" Thanks for posting 
2007 F-350 SRW 6.0L Auto CC SB 4X4
2006 Outfitter Apex 8, 220W Solar and 3 AGM's
2008 Jeep Rubicon 
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seldomseensmith
Flagstaff, AZ
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Joined: 09/18/2006
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Very cool - I've never heard of Nightmare Gulch, but it looks like a great ORV area. Nice costumes, especially your ride. Boo!
The Journey of Seldomseensmith
2008 F250 SD 4x4 Supercab, 5.4L V8, 2006 Outfitter Caribou 6.5
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whazoo
Arizona
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Joined: 10/12/2007
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Somebody knows how to scare up some fun, and maybe some spirits were seen around the campfire...in a glass. Great off-road shots in the Killer Jeep from Outerspace you folks really did Halloween proud.
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Matho
New Mexico Texas
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Joined: 04/07/2006
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Found the treasure and got some Captain Morgan in you.
Thanks for the Nightmare views.
Chevy 2500 D/A Outfitter 9.5
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