Joaquin Ridge – Looking out across the valley. I’m through the gate and following Clear Creek. This is BLM land. Old mining country. Serpentine wilderness. Up the road leads to the trail once traveled by Murrieta and his gang of horse thieves. Below, just beyond the Alcalde Hills, is Cantua Creek, where he was killed in a gun battle with Captain Harry Love of California Rangers. It’s a steady incline, 30 miles from nowhere, with no GPS and no cell service, but the road is good, my spirit is up, and my will is strong. I’m getting close – La Vereda del Monte