#2: [07-Mar-05]

26-May-2002 -- I had a feeling that this was going to be more difficult than it appeared. It just seemed too easy. Maps show there is a road that ends just 80m from the confluence. But as expected,"Unnamed Road" means it’s on private property.

We attempted to gain access to the confluence from three different roads. Each turned out to be private. It’s likely that you would have to cross multiple private properties to reach the confluence (unless of course you could fly over them).

The first access point we tried (#1 on map) was just south of Armstrong on US-77. The unnamed gravel road right off the highway quickly ended at a locked gate with a sign that might be helpful if someone wanted to determine the owner of the property. There was a house just past the gate but it seemed to be occupied by ranch hands who didn’t speak English.

The second access point we tried was the southernmost point of Ranch Road 2191 (#2 on map) which is off of SR-285. Ranch Road 2191 is a paved and gravel road that ends 6 miles south of SR-285 at two private roads. The one we needed to take was straight ahead at the intersection, but again it was blocked by a gate. On the other side of the gate were two small houses but no one was in sight. The road to the right has a dead end sign and is not the way you need to go anyway.

The third access point we tried (#3 on map) was off of US-281, 10 miles south of SR-285. This gravel road immediately ends at a locked gate with some contact information.

16 km is the closest we got to the confluence. Terrain was consistent at each access point and throughout the journey from one point to the next. Cattle & horse ranch land, some cleared of trees, some not. Mostly flat with prickly pear cactus, oak trees, yucca, and grass. Hot and dry climate with some dry lake beds. We expect the same at the confluence itself.

This one would easily be reachable for someone who lived nearby and was willing to take the time to make the appropriate contacts. We were on a 7 hour drive to Houston and didn’t want to spend a lot of time looking for people to help us gain access to private property. Not sure if we’ll attempt it again.