I just had one of those 2.5 acre lots in major BFE desert that a nice lady from WI wanted surveyed. I was concerned about not only access to the site, but finding any original monuments. I knew the GLO corners would be there (circa 1910), but not sure about corner mons (platted in 1966)
With my handy garmin I ventured the 3 miles down a iffy trail to where I thought the GLO corners would be, only to be greeted by a cattle guard and a fence line. That was on my E section line, and I needed the E 1/4 cor to get started.
So I followed the fence line S and when I got within a couple hundred feet of where I thought the corner should be, I saw a larger fence post with a big bird (pretty sure a hawk, maybe an eagle) sitting on it. I knew he was protecting my E 1/4 corner, for certain.
I slowly continued on so as not to spook him, as I retrieved the camera. Unfortunately this is the only shot I could get, as he was flying away. I should have tried walking up, but it seems most critters trust trucks more than humans.
I knew it was going to be a good day, thanks to Mr Bird. Found all original pipes in the platted roadways (unimproved), and set the rear corners along with the r/w corners. Start to finish was about 5 hrs, including .75 hr travel each way.
So, that's what it looks like when you get to BFE. I thought I had already been there, but, I guess not.
Being a cow, you'd be pleased to know that the area is also all 'open range' for miles in every direction. Fortunately for me, the munching bovines were elsewhere so as to not disrupt my work duties. Perhaps they were in the Holy land...;-)
Or perhaps Mr Bird politely suggested to the cows to go dine across the trail. Yea, that's it. Mr Bird is not only our friend, he makes a fine maitre' D.
Where are the trees, the kudzu, the privet hedge, the Cherokee roses? How in the world can you survey without getting out the bush axe? Sure is pretty bcountry though.
Andy