Quicksand in Southern California - DIDVP

[wysvp]

Folks,

It looks like I may be headed to San Diego in January - a beautiful city, and much warmer than Boston at that time of year.

I'm looking into the possibilities of doing some shooting while in S. California, given the number of exceptional models out that way. What is holding me back is the lack of knowledge of possible locations with deep mud/quicksand.

Now - I did do some searching here on QSF(and viewed that great Google map of sinking sites); I have the following possibilities:

- Chula Vista tidal mud (seen some pics of this - looks rather shallow, but promising);
- Lake Murray, if the water level is low;
- Mud volcanoes at the southern end of the Salton Sea (a bit of a drive)
- and a wee bit further, the Shoshone/Tecopa area.

So - I just want to check here if any of you can offer further locations for consideration. Also, if anyone can fill me in on any of the above listed locals, I would be most appreciative. Feel free to email me directly at photo@didvp.com.

Thanks.

Michael

[qslurker]

/delurk

I live in San Diego, so two cautions:

1. Yes, it's warmer here in January than Boston, but that's only relative. You might think it's swimsuit weather, but most of the locals will probably disagree. <grin>

2. Lake Murray's a city reservoir, so body contact with the water is probably prohibited. I don't know if they'd count it as contact with the water if someone was sinking into the mud on the shore, but if they did, it could get you a citation, or even thrown out.

But even if you don't accomplish anything along those lines, have fun! Be sure you do the regular tourist stuff, too, if it's your first time here. (Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Sea World, Museums, Legoland, etc.)

Okay, back to lurking.

[mudxdresser]

Been there, done that, you'll have to drive some, most reliable mud that time of year will be the Salton Sea/Niland mud volcanoes and Tecopa mud flats, however, there's no such thing as a sure thing at either. You'd be best advised to have someone check it out in advance before making firm plans...

[werewolfchick]

I live in California but I dunno of any good places but if you find any, take me with you!

[jagfiles]

Though I have not actually done any sinking in San Diego I have heard from a couple people that yes they did some sinking down there. One gal mentioned about 10 years ago that when she was younger that she accidentally walked into actual quicksand once and actually sank to her waist. She said her experience was like a good 10 years prior to that if not more. Sorry I don't know where she got stuck at but obviously sounds like some good areas.

[e_taki]

A place you might also check out along the Salton Sea is Salt Creek. At the mouth, a sandbar is placed, (it looks man-made,) to separate the creek from the sea. The creek has to flow through the sandbar, so this tends to quicken it. It was only knee deep the last time i was there, a few years ago, but you may be able to work yourself in deeper. Also, the lagoon formed by the sandbar can fill up with decaying vegetation and form a bog. Salt Creek is on the northeastern shore of the Salton Sea.