Dave and Faye didn't show up. I realized too late that they don't have a computer at home and wouldn't receive Dorothy's emails regarding today's explore. Dorothy will call them to apologize.
We went in a very short distance on FR376 South and turned left on an unmarked road that led to an area where people camp above La Cueva where we parked. Actually, two other cars were there when we got back a little after 3pm. One drove out before we did and the other looked like it was staying. We also saw some campers near the intersection of FR604 and FR376 on our way back.
After lunch above Wildcat Canyon, we headed back, planning to go back the way we came which included going up and over a tall hill but a thunderstorm intervened. Instead, we walked down FR604 to FR376 and eventually cut over to where Dorothy's car was parked. The rain was coming heavy for a while but Dorothy and I both broke out our golf umbrellas and were happy. Happy also were we that the thunder and lightning were not directly overhead and we were off the rim. But, I've gotten way ahead of myself.
The rim above La Cueva is beautiful with views of La Cueva, San Antonio Mountain, Redondo, Redondo Border, etc., and all the way to Los Griegos, Pelado, and Las Conchas. We saw several trees along the rim that had been split by lightning so I highly doubt the SFNF is going to make an official trail right along the edge. The view down to the tent rocks was stupendous and I wonder how the forest service managed to let that beautiful natural wonder become private property. There's a big house right at the base of the tent rocks. After we got off the rim and intersected FR604, we walked up a hill from the road and found a fence signed Posted No Trespassing Keep Out. Then we came to a fence corner and another fence continued at a diagonal to the posted one but maybe the private property didn't even though there was one more posted sign on the diagonal fence.
We encountered several more fences and gates and they were all in excellent condition and hard to crack. One gate, we had to take apart at the opposite end because the part with the wire latch was so wedged into the gate post because they used barbed rather than barbless wire for the latch. Another fence, I had to untwist wire so we could pull the two strands apart to get under it. A vexing day for fences but I will come armed with the red pliers next time!
I was looking at the topo map this evening and I really don't see how Dorothy will scale the cliffs down to Battleship Rock but we will have a good time exploring.
Sunday, spouse and I went to the Hotrock Rim Trail because he wanted to hike there. It was cool and overcast but later turned sunny but not as warm as it can be. We walked to Pajarito Canyon and on the way back, took the side trip on the bench beneath the rim trail. That's a lovely area. I think it would be interesting to get into WR Canyon via that bench trail.