I ended up doing some brief searching this past weekend (Sat & Sun) for about 4 hours each day. (would like to have done more, but was limited). Temperature was in the low-mid 80s both days and pretty windy. Unfortunately, most of my time was spent hiking to and from the areas that I wanted to explore (both SWC and Quail Mtn. area). Next time, I plan to start earlier and aim for a full day.
Day 1 (Saturday): I started from Park Road and somewhat followed the 10.6 mile radius initially, then headed towards Samuelson's rock/Quail Springs, towards the mouth of Smith Water Canyon, did a little bit of exploring there, and then made my way back to Park Road the opposite way.
Day 2 (Sunday): I started at the Juniper Flats Parking lot, took the Juniper Flat Road, to Juniper Flats, and walked around the base of Quail mountain/area to the west, and then took back Stubbe Springs? Trail to the Juniper Flats Parking lot.
In terms of findings, nothing that I think was significant. A few animal bones here and there. Also, I did find a blue towel near the base of Quail Mtn, but my feeling was that it had been something rather recent. The color of the towel was not very faded and it seemed to be in good condition.
On my Day 2 trek, I personally consumed about 3L of water over about 12 miles. I just find it crazy that Bill would have only take 2 smaller water bottles with him on a hot day in June assuming he did the amount of hiking/walking he did.
I personally would like to really explore the area to the West and North of Quail mountain a lot more, but I feel it's going to require some more time. In one of the pictures, I thought I had seen something that looked to be the shape of a fire extinguisher?, when I was west of Quail Mtn., but when I had hiked back down the mountain, could not find anything.
Planning to try to visit a few more times and as of now, am going to be taking the 10.6 mile ping with a bit less credence. If I could use one word to describe this place, it would be vast. There are just so many places it seems where he could end up. I find it hard to believe any of the conspiracy theories after seeing all the different rocks, boulders, crevices, bushes, ravines, and canyons that someone could end up in...
Lastly, I find it very possible to believe Tom's theory about the injury. Obviously the location is up for grabs/where it may have occurred, but the area where I briefly covered just west of Quail Mountain had a million places where someone could take an accident slip/fall/trip/etc. and definitely be injured to the point, where they could required some help.
Saturday trip to mouth of Smith Water Canyon area
Sunday trip to Juniper Flats/base of Quail Mtn. area
Another animal bone, this time near Juniper Flats I think.
I thought I had seen what looked to be a shape of a fire extinguisher from the top near Quail Mtn., but could not find anything on the way down.
Towel found near base of Quail Mtn. area
Bone (animal) near mouth of Smith Water Canyon (East Side)
Bone (animal) near mouth of Smith Water Canyon (East Side)