We tent camped south and west of there back in 72. Yes, dryland floods were one of the things my uncle’s warned us about.
Yes it can be VERY UNFORGIVING out of nowhere. Hot/Cold, Rain 2 feet away but not where one is standing, Wild Critters with Big Teeth or Fangs, desperate ILLEGALS stealing or trying to kill you or rape your Wife and Kids, Flash Flooding from way upstream with no rain in sight.
Think about 150- 200 years ago. You, a Horse, a Pistol and Rifle, some Salt Tack and YUMMIE Muddy water to share with the Horse.
Just makes Ya wanna be a Cowboy don’t it ?