– Survivalist | Prepper

Survival may be an extreme reason for living in Sierra East, but in these days of extreme economic, resource, and environmental uncertainty, who doesn’t at least occasionally think about having a back-up plan?

First off, WATER. It’s not a day goes by that diminishing or uncertain water supply futures make the news. Sierra East is unique in that it drains one side of the massive Sierra Nevada mountain range to a tiny population of local users. Even the City of Los Angeles’ aqueduct diversions do not deplete the ground water supply as human mechanisms do in most other places. Much of Owens Valley is over a ‘contained aquifer,’ which means that an impermeable substrate above it gives rise to artesian wells and wells with close-to-surface static water level. Cartago is a case in point, where water lies 3-to-4 feet below the well casing, making it possible to access ground water without even pumping it out! Even in times of sustained drought, there has not been a significant change to water levels in and around Cartago. Since water is #1 on anyone’s survival list, you can come out here and not just survive, but thrive on it!

Prepper’s Paradise

Survivalists…become Thrivalists! The Eastern Sierra offers great rural nature living on its own merits. That said, it’s also a fine location for establishing a safe alternative dwelling. It is easy to access yet far away from the risks of nearby civilization. It has just enough infrastructure nearby in case of need (e.g. gas station/mini-mart), but no one comes here just to go shopping!

SierraEast has ½-acre or greater building sites available in the Cartago Springs subdivision (see: www.sierraeast.com/undeveloped-lots), and one special secluded site, “The Triangle,” nearby (see: www.sierraeast.com/the-triangle).

A special package combining residential lots with “the Triangle” has been assembled for someone who is interested in having both a ‘normal’ residential development and a private second location nearby.

The basic package consists of Cartago Springs lots 256-260 (in yellow) and the 2.39 acre Triangle (in green). More lots can be added as desired.

While there is no restriction to informally access the Triangle across CA State lands, the Fish and Wildlife Dept. has limited access from the west and south to pedestrian traffic only to protect the environment, and the CA State Land Commission wants to establish a lease if there is to be formal development on the Triangle, including running a water line from Cartago Springs lots. This is explained on the Triangle page.

Sierra East is pursuing a new well, which could be shared with the package lots. Power at the lots would be provided by LADWP, which has already initiated a plan to extend existing power to one or more new building sites.

So this is the concept:

• Build a ‘normal’ residence on Cartago Springs lots (the package can support at least two separate developments), which can be on the grid if desired.
• Either build an off-grid secure residence on the Triangle, or occupy it with mobile domicile(s), i.e. RV or trailer which are stored at the lots until deployed.

The wetlands supports extensive bird life and has a hunting season, plus there are abundant crawfish as a year-round food source. There is a perennial clear water stream nearby as a back-up to a well or pipeline from a well above.

See www.sierraeast.com/the-big-picture/why-own-here/small-business-proprietor for details on the extensive Internet and Cellular service here.

This package is being offered for $65,000.

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Here’s a survivalist case study:

“Having a place in Sierra East was a back up plan for my existence in Los Angeles County. I wanted to have a place to ‘escape’ to for relaxation and recreation but also in case things got ugly in civilization. Then my home of 9 years burned to the ground because LA County did not try to save it when a group of drunken criminals started a fire in the unpatrolled State Park above me. When I found out that my so called ‘replacement’ insurance policy would not cover the cost of rebuilding and that LA County would not let me live in a temporary dwelling on my own property, I moved full time out here. So my back up plan turned out to be useful!

Now I live in comfort with everything I could want, only more distance to the conveniences of modern day living. If things went bad here, I am much better situated to survive and even prosper. My $1000 investment in solar panels may not be enough to drive a refrigerator full-time, but it will provide me with all the water I need and sufficient power for lighting and smartphone connectivity.

I have a pellet gun which I am prepared to use on the abundant quail and cottontail that are constantly in view around my house. Recently I heard a loud bang on my glass door and ran out of my office to see a belly-up quail on the porch and a stunned hawk next to it. Apparently both flew into the glass but the quail perished while the hawk staggered off when it saw me. Well. I decided not to waste the life, so I got on the Internet to find out how to prepare the critter. It was easy and quite acceptable!”

Here at Cartago Springs, the year-round wetlands just downslope is not only a prized Audubon Society Migrating Bird Sanctuary, but home to lots of delicious crayfish! I bought a fishing license and an inexpensive trap, and have enjoy several Louisiana-style dinners here in the wild west!

Gardening is quite amazing here with so much sunshine available. It does freeze, so it’s only a year-round activity with the aid of a south-facing wall and/or a greenhouse, but during the long growing season, fruits and vegetables go positively crazy.

Fresh clean water is abundant and accessible (and there is no chlorine or fluoride in it)! The water here in the Cartago Springs unit well has a static level of only 3 feet below grade, which makes it easy and inexpensive  to pump. It also means one does not even need electricity to access it- all it takes is digging a 4′ deep trench next to the well and putting  a tap in the casing, and water will flow by static pressure alone! This is one of the few places in California where the groundwater is pure, easy to access, unlimited, and not overpumped by agribusiness and municipalities!

P.S. “Doomsday Preppers,” check out this article and website about a company that makes very interesting underground dwelling units!