WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Outdoors => Topic started by: desert5150 on Apr 07, 09, 11:15:29 PM
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On Sunday I took a hike into Big John Flat, site of the World War II mock German village of Annadorf. It seems to have been about 1.5 or 2 miles one-way, mostly following an old water pipeline. Once there I found little. Was I in the wrong place?
Thanks,
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Hi desert5150!
You can check here
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/WrightwoodHistorical/WrightwoodRoots/b12gtown.pdf
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/WrightwoodHistorical/WrightwoodRoots/c01gtown.pdf
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/WrightwoodHistorical/WrightwoodRoots/c02gtown.pdf
Regards,
Snowbird
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That is a fascinating story!!! I loved those pictures.
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I'd have to agree that was good reading. I had no idea such a place exsisted.
Thanks for sharing
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A friend of mine that was a YMCA camper at Camp Big Pines in the 50's told me about his hikes to the German town as a kid. He couldn't remember where it was, I always keep an eye out for remains when I hike around Big Pines. I'm glad I know where it is now. I thought it was some ruins I've found on the other side of Mezcal Creek.
I'll have to go out there one of these days.
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A friend of mine that was a YMCA camper at Camp Big Pines in the 50's told me about his hikes to the German town as a kid. He couldn't remember where it was, I always keep an eye out for remains when I hike around Big Pines. I'm glad I know where it is now. I thought it was some ruins I've found on the other side of Mezcal Creek.
I'll have to go out there one of these days.
Bring a metal detector when you go.. There's no telling what you might find.
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I have a metal detector, which was safely stowed in my truck as I hiked ??? I just had a camera with me. Anyway, I did encounter several sections of pipe, old and rusty, painted in the 40s style OD green. Also found a C-rat can in really poor condition. Surprisingly there is little trash along the route.
I'm the last person in the world to organize anything, but if some are willing, I propose that we all hike back there sometime
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hey I was wondering where is annadorf? how do you hike there? I would like to hike there some time could some one please tell me how to get there from wrightwood thank you very much!
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Drive towards Mountain High. Veer to the right, on Big Pines Highway, past Jackson Lake. Make a right turn on Largo Vista and park near the small pumping station on the right (about 3/4 mile from Big Pines Hwy). The road is closed to wheeled traffic, but is accessible on foot or bike. Walk about a mile to the East-Southeast along to fireroad or the wash, and you will start to see signs. Follow the water line.
You will see O.D. green water pipes and pilings that I imagine were used as foundations for the buildings. I found (and left) an old C-Rat can, as well as various pieces of lumber. The actual buildings appear to be long gone. What is striking is the almost complete lack of tourist trash. No beer cans, no disposable diapers and no wrappers. While it is far from the most scenice part of our mountains, it has peace going in its favor.
I'm going back as soon as I can, accompanied by my Whites metal detector.
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I had the fortune to live here in the late 90's. Boulders with bullet marks on them can still be found in the area. Check out these videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSWSR5p0lMI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qniTM02_s9M
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What is now Camp Coulter Pines, across from Jackson Lake, was the encampment where the soldiers slept, ate, etc, when they were at Annadorf for training. One of our Eagle Scouts rebuilt a cabin as his Eagle project, and another Scout built a sleeping deck and other camp improvements at Coulter Pines as his Eagle project.
There is a lot of history in that relatively small area...