Winchester Ranch has just one natural spring that we are aware of, Javelina Spring. It is up on the side of Javelina Peak, at an elevation of at least 6000'. Soon after we bought the ranch in September 2003, Papa and I tried to hike to Javelina Spring a couple of times, but were not successful in finding it. We found it about five years ago, and I haven't been back until yesterday. Papa has been on horseback a couple of times.
Papa and I rode for an hour on Bob to get as near Javelina Spring as possible and then we hiked for more than hour. We saw the big steel water tank before we arrived. In the 1950's a previous ranch owner used a bulldozer to clear a path for a large water tank and a small drinker. He built a corral around the area and used it to work cattle. Javelina Spring has a concrete dam built around it, about 4' wide and 3' tall. The water is about 3' deep and drips over the dam. There are Indian ruins and dwellings nearby indicating the spring has probably been producing water for hundreds of years.
The water tanks haven't been used in years as bears tear out the water lines quickly. The corral is in disrepair and we aren't anxious to repair it. However, we just might work on getting water to the drinker so our cows can graze further up Javelina Peak. Ranching chores are never done!
Papa and I rode for an hour on Bob to get as near Javelina Spring as possible and then we hiked for more than hour. We saw the big steel water tank before we arrived. In the 1950's a previous ranch owner used a bulldozer to clear a path for a large water tank and a small drinker. He built a corral around the area and used it to work cattle. Javelina Spring has a concrete dam built around it, about 4' wide and 3' tall. The water is about 3' deep and drips over the dam. There are Indian ruins and dwellings nearby indicating the spring has probably been producing water for hundreds of years.
The water tanks haven't been used in years as bears tear out the water lines quickly. The corral is in disrepair and we aren't anxious to repair it. However, we just might work on getting water to the drinker so our cows can graze further up Javelina Peak. Ranching chores are never done!
