A short-notice hike writeup drew only one hiker. Mike joined me on my off trail exploratory hike. Our exit from SR87 was just north of Bushnell Tanks. We followed a break in the white line. It was a good road with one wash crossing that needed high clearance. The road ended at a locked “GATE”.

We returned to “TH” were we started our hike. At 7:15 we were walking. It started out by following an abandoned overgrown road to a small mine dig. We headed back on track toward our planned waypoint “E2”. At about 4400 feet we spotted a rock pile. Was it a cairn, or a mining claim?

Mike spotted a trail treat for Bill: more bones. After crawling under a fence at ”FX1” we got somewhat off course. We trudged uphill toward 4708 only to later drift downward in to a spacious flat saddle, wide enough to land a helicopter.

Following a narrow ridgeline, we headed to a quartz outcrop near ”E50”. Until this point the route was fairly clear and easy to step round spiny vegetation. A lack of wind added to the heat factor and our decision to alter the exploratory adventure.

We decided to follow the contour lines, staying near 5000 feet as we headed toward “W50”. Conditions changed. The vegetation got very thick and the winds picked up.

A rock pile at “MC” was truly a mining claim, as nearby rocks showed elements of copper. With one leg getting longer than the other we scrapped the contour idea and headed toward open spots void of vegetation. Down and up the dip, it was.

At “ZD” we decided to head toward “USLM” at a location shown on National Geographic TOPO maps. Google says United States Lime and Mineral sells at $54.98 a share on the NASDAQ. Interested? Bill found the location and took a selfie.

We spotted a structure as we headed downhill toward a lush creek with mature tall sycamores. Clothes hanging on a wash line was a clue the trailer was not abandoned.

We loudly announced our presence so as not to surprise the resident as we climbed out of the wash. After introductions, Tom shared with us his garden and how with hydraulic pump sends water uphill to it. We parted with a handshake and an offer to come visit again.

We walked the road back to my Jeep. While toasting a great exploratory hike with a cold beer, thoughts rattled in my brain. Living year round off the grid with no ice, and no cold beer, is not for me.

After deciding not to continue the climb to Little Mt. Ord, we had an elevation gain of 600 feet working our way downhill — the vary nature of exploratory.

+-2050 feet, 4.9 miles. Next time, the summit.