hills and dunes, stretched the Sea of Cortez from the SSE all the way over to the west of us. Below us, some 30 miles away, was the coastal town of Puerto Penasco. Beyond it to the south was the mainland coast of Sonora. To the southwest and west, beyond the Sea, was Baja with Picacho del Diablo crowning the Sierra de San Pedro Martir Range.


Misc. Encounters

George Tucker went out of his way to provide interesting campground discussion by clobbering and unhappy Papago open-range cow on the road to the Babo campground. George's vehicle was a little the worse for it too. The Papagos apparently removed the choice meat. We viewed the remains of the carcass on the way out on Friday. We also viewed some few dozen gorged vultures and a bravely competing coyote.
Anna Lou Pinson, walking alone near camp during the Babo climb, spotted a cougar going down the trail in front of her. She did not wait around to enjoy the big cat's progress.
Havelinas were spotted, one by the leader along the roadside and one was startled by, or startled, Dave Petzold on the slopes of pinacate.
The leader unknowingly almost stepped on a rattlesnake. The 2nd and 3rd persons in line yelled the alarm. On closer inspection, the snake was seen to have a piece of cholla attached to its cheek by several imbedded needles. The creature was obviously asking for help. The kindly leader obliged by taking a stick and holding down the cholla against the ground while the snake tugged and finally broke free.

Finally

Thanks are due, not only and especially to the very able assistant leaders, DALE VAN DALSEM and RANDY BERNARD, but to all who participated and contributed to making this trip enjoyable and successful.
Bill Gray
 
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