Bumble Bee 03-21-22-08
We went on a quick camp trip during Easter weekend to Bumble Bee road. The weather was almost perfect as it was in the 70's during the day. With the warm weather and all the rain we have had the flowers are out in full bloom. There were just 5 of us total on this trip. Art, his wife Janeen, Bob, me and my wife Margaret.
We arrived at the camp spot at about 4:00 Friday. Art had taken his camper up early Friday morning to make sure we would have a spot. The spot he picked out was perfect. It was a secluded spot all by it's self away from the crowd of people camped about a mile away.
Sat morning we all went for a ride when Bob arrived. We decided to take the road to the 80 foot waterfall to see if it was running. There was still water in the 16 crossings on the way to the falls plus the flowers along the way were stunning. We made several stops to take in the beautiful lush desert along the way. When we arrived at the falls it was just a trickle compared to the last time we were there when it was a raging falls but the mountain to the right of the falls was solid gold color from the desert poppy's. We had some water and relaxed in the sunshine before heading back to camp.
As we were at camp I suggested riding the back way to Cleator. Well nobody wanted to go so I went by myself. As I came to the 2nd water crossing I ran into a couple that were from New Mexico. They were not sure they could make the water crossing. He was on a KTM motorcycle and she was on a new Suzuki King Quad 700 4x4. I talked to them about the trail and said I would lead her on a go around for one bad spot. They agreed so off we went. She made it fine and wanted to try. They said they were going to go slow so I left them and continued on my own.
A couple of miles later I came across a Tricked out Yamaha Rhino stopped at a water crossing. As I got to them they were waving their arms wildly. I stopped thinking they had a problem but they said they didn't think they could make this water crossing. I looked at it and said "yea, she will make it just follow me" I went to the right where it was a bit deep but had no problem. I had him go to the left. He made it across ok but high centered on a large boulder when he came out of the water. I had to help him going back and forth until I could work him off the boulder. After getting them through I told them I was going up to the top of the trail to the right up to a mine I had never been to before. I let them know they were through all the tough water crossings and had only about 2 miles to Cleator.
The trail up to the mine was very rutted, narrow and steep. I was thinking this is maybe not a good idea by myself but I was committed. It wasn't to bad as long as you just keep in control. The view from the top was spectacular. As I turned around to look towards the creek in the valley I saw a Crested Saguaro. They are quite rare. The top of the Saguaro looks deformed. I was able to get right next to it for a few photos. As I came down from the mine I decided to go back same way I came in instead of hitting the main road back to camp. Right after the I crossed the creek there was another Crested Saguaro right on the side of the road. I have been on this trail probably 20 times and never seen a Crested Saguaro on this trail. How lucky.
At the next long water crossing I met the couple from NM again. She said "I thought you said this was an easy trail". I said "It is compared to sometimes when the water is really flowing". I asked her is she was having fun and she said it was a blast. I watched them on the last deep crossing and he said his boots were full of water. As I told them they will have a ride the will defiantly remember. They also there was a big group of quads coming and someone had sunk a quad.
I found the big group at the next crossing. There were quite a few of them stuck in the river. The ones stuck were 2 wheel drive quads. I sat and watched them for a while and talked to the leader. I told him he should take the high road instead of the trail in the river at the next crossing as It is very soft sand. I almost didn't make it a couple of times. They had not been on the trail before so I lead them back to the Y for the high road and turned back.
As I was coming past the big mine area there was a Kawasaki 650 pulling a Suzuki Eager 400 like the one we pulled out of the river a couple of months ago up a hill but he had all 4 wheels buried in the road. He said the Eiger went under water. I asked him if he checked the air box for water. He did not so I checked and it was full of water. I drained it and cleaned out the filter but it still would not start. I suggested he pull it to the top of the hill to get it level. Since he was having trouble pulling the ATV I asked him if he had the ATV in 4 wheel drive and engaged the diff lock. He did not know how to engage the diff lock. Now that he engaged the locker he was able to pull the Eiger up the hill. After trying to start it a few times I thought lets check the oil. When he pulled the dip stick the oil shot out a milky foam color. At this point I said do not start it let's pull it back to your truck. Well a Blazer came by and offered to pull his ATV back for him to make it easier. They had 2 guys so one of them even offered to ride the fallen ATV. I gave him a dust mask and goggles as it was very dusty behind the truck. This sure made it much faster pulling with the full size Blazer.
It seemed like I was destined to be a good Samaritan for this days ride which was fine with me. I met some very interesting people and had a great ride to boot. Some days just have more adventure to them than others.
Read MoreWe arrived at the camp spot at about 4:00 Friday. Art had taken his camper up early Friday morning to make sure we would have a spot. The spot he picked out was perfect. It was a secluded spot all by it's self away from the crowd of people camped about a mile away.
Sat morning we all went for a ride when Bob arrived. We decided to take the road to the 80 foot waterfall to see if it was running. There was still water in the 16 crossings on the way to the falls plus the flowers along the way were stunning. We made several stops to take in the beautiful lush desert along the way. When we arrived at the falls it was just a trickle compared to the last time we were there when it was a raging falls but the mountain to the right of the falls was solid gold color from the desert poppy's. We had some water and relaxed in the sunshine before heading back to camp.
As we were at camp I suggested riding the back way to Cleator. Well nobody wanted to go so I went by myself. As I came to the 2nd water crossing I ran into a couple that were from New Mexico. They were not sure they could make the water crossing. He was on a KTM motorcycle and she was on a new Suzuki King Quad 700 4x4. I talked to them about the trail and said I would lead her on a go around for one bad spot. They agreed so off we went. She made it fine and wanted to try. They said they were going to go slow so I left them and continued on my own.
A couple of miles later I came across a Tricked out Yamaha Rhino stopped at a water crossing. As I got to them they were waving their arms wildly. I stopped thinking they had a problem but they said they didn't think they could make this water crossing. I looked at it and said "yea, she will make it just follow me" I went to the right where it was a bit deep but had no problem. I had him go to the left. He made it across ok but high centered on a large boulder when he came out of the water. I had to help him going back and forth until I could work him off the boulder. After getting them through I told them I was going up to the top of the trail to the right up to a mine I had never been to before. I let them know they were through all the tough water crossings and had only about 2 miles to Cleator.
The trail up to the mine was very rutted, narrow and steep. I was thinking this is maybe not a good idea by myself but I was committed. It wasn't to bad as long as you just keep in control. The view from the top was spectacular. As I turned around to look towards the creek in the valley I saw a Crested Saguaro. They are quite rare. The top of the Saguaro looks deformed. I was able to get right next to it for a few photos. As I came down from the mine I decided to go back same way I came in instead of hitting the main road back to camp. Right after the I crossed the creek there was another Crested Saguaro right on the side of the road. I have been on this trail probably 20 times and never seen a Crested Saguaro on this trail. How lucky.
At the next long water crossing I met the couple from NM again. She said "I thought you said this was an easy trail". I said "It is compared to sometimes when the water is really flowing". I asked her is she was having fun and she said it was a blast. I watched them on the last deep crossing and he said his boots were full of water. As I told them they will have a ride the will defiantly remember. They also there was a big group of quads coming and someone had sunk a quad.
I found the big group at the next crossing. There were quite a few of them stuck in the river. The ones stuck were 2 wheel drive quads. I sat and watched them for a while and talked to the leader. I told him he should take the high road instead of the trail in the river at the next crossing as It is very soft sand. I almost didn't make it a couple of times. They had not been on the trail before so I lead them back to the Y for the high road and turned back.
As I was coming past the big mine area there was a Kawasaki 650 pulling a Suzuki Eager 400 like the one we pulled out of the river a couple of months ago up a hill but he had all 4 wheels buried in the road. He said the Eiger went under water. I asked him if he checked the air box for water. He did not so I checked and it was full of water. I drained it and cleaned out the filter but it still would not start. I suggested he pull it to the top of the hill to get it level. Since he was having trouble pulling the ATV I asked him if he had the ATV in 4 wheel drive and engaged the diff lock. He did not know how to engage the diff lock. Now that he engaged the locker he was able to pull the Eiger up the hill. After trying to start it a few times I thought lets check the oil. When he pulled the dip stick the oil shot out a milky foam color. At this point I said do not start it let's pull it back to your truck. Well a Blazer came by and offered to pull his ATV back for him to make it easier. They had 2 guys so one of them even offered to ride the fallen ATV. I gave him a dust mask and goggles as it was very dusty behind the truck. This sure made it much faster pulling with the full size Blazer.
It seemed like I was destined to be a good Samaritan for this days ride which was fine with me. I met some very interesting people and had a great ride to boot. Some days just have more adventure to them than others.
