10-Oct-2004 -- I crossed US-395 eastbound at the town of Termo onto Old Mail Route Road. It eventually became Tuledad Road and I followed it until I found the road leading down towards Express Canyon. I saw a lot of deer just before a locked gate with a keep out sign (Picture #7) so I backtracked and continued east and then south along the dirt path (2wd capable). I was able to continue a bit further and I parked by an open gate (Picture #6). This was actually easier and closer than my original planned route.

From here, I proceeded on foot, following a well traveled animal path along the creek in Express Canyon. At first, there was some water that was green and gross but it soon dried out and was completely dry at the confluence point.

The confluence point itself is located almost in the middle of the canyon. Getting there involved about a 5 foot descent from the animal trail and waiting for my GPS receivers to finally agree on a common location.

Picture #1 looks north down Express Canyon. Picture #2 looks east. Picture #3 looks south up Express Canyon. Picture #4 looks west. Picture #5 shows a whole lot of zeroes on my GPS receivers.

Total time hiking was 1.3 miles in 34 minutes. On my way out, I continued back to Tuledad Road and then east beyond the grassy Duck Lake to NV SR-447. It took 45 minutes for the 11 miles to NV SSR-447. For comparison, it took 1:40 and 38 miles from Termo off US-395 to where I parked.

This would be the fourth and last California confluence of this trip. I now have only five remaining (unattempted) before accomplishing a complete canvass of California’s (land-based) confluences!

Considering the economics of confluence trips, once you get the ones near your house, you have to travel a lot further in order to successfully visit those in an ever-increasing radius away. On each trip, you need to visit as many as possible in order to realize any economies of scale. On my way home, it was time to visit some more of Nevada’s confluences (where I only have 6 more possible visits remaining)

Onward to 41°N 119°W!