Anza Borrego Advice

@2000man It was included with this book.

Anza-Borrego Desert Region: A Guide to State Park and Adjacent Areas of the Western Colorado Desert

$28 Anza-Borrego Desert Region: A Guide to State Park and Adjacent Areas of the Western Colorado Desert

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0899974007/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.oY0ybKCERECH

 

Isn't this a Tacoma forum?
I drove in, in a Tacoma.

 

Anyone goin out to anza borrego this weekend?

 

Ocotillo cut through to Ocotillo Wells Trip

Just took a nice trip through Anza Borrego today.

From San Diego took Highway 8 east to the city of Ocotillo.
Drive thru Ocotillo which leads to highway S2 west.
After a few miles on S2, look for Canyon Sin Nombre trail head on the right side.

Air down at the trail head if you like.

Cruise down the beautiful Canyon Sin Nombre for 5 mi. to Carrizo Creek Wash. Turn left into the wash. Enjoy driving through the huge sandy wash. After a few miles when you see the sign post, turn right on

Seco Del Diablo. It has tight winding curves among huge shadow casting cliffs on each side. Drive for a good while till you get to Diablo Drop Off trail on the right.

Then down the one-way famous Diablo Drop-Off. The Drop-Off is really fun. Next is a slower section with some rock, but very doable.

Then wind your way to Fish Creek and drive that scenic wash till it turns into famous beautiful Split Mountain wash. Split Mountain shadows are a great place for a snack break. Then on through to the paved road and take a left.

Drive to the end of the paved road and you end up at Ocotillo Wells. Now you are at highway 78 and Octollo Wells Off Road Recreation Park.

Adventure around the park trails or take 78 east to Julian and back to San Diego.

 

Fun stuff... Have they signed the drop off as one way? It was two-way or unsigned for a time... That's when I had to pull James up the Diablo Drop Off while a bunch of Jeep club members watched after swearing my Toyota could never do it! LOL... I have A-TRAC!

James backed up to take another run at going up the dropoff, but backed into a sand dune and got stuck there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m1u1pba4Ps

 

Agreed this is fun!

One way only these days as marked on trail and maps for a good while.

I remember in the 90's some of us used to back up that hill for craziness. (lockers)

I generally think going down is harder/scarier ... But that is me.

Place was deserted today - guess it is not a place for spring breakers or flower watchers.

 

I was really disappointed by Diablo Drop-Off... pretty sure my locked PreRunner could have gone up it if I aired down to the teens. It reminded me of a sandy boat launch ramp.

What DID impress me, however, was Heart Attack Hill. Where my buddy is walking up towards the top is just plain suicide.

 

You can get away with 2wd just about everywhere unless you get stuck in some sand or you decide to crawl. Coyote and Oriflame are some of my favorites. Honestly though, pick a dry wash, see where it goes, camp for the night, pick up your trash and look for another dirt trail to follow. S-2 and S-3 are great places to explore. Stop by julian for pie and go to Apple Alley Bakery because fuck the lines at Juilan Pie Co and Mamas Pie. Also they have cinnamon vanilla bean ice cream. If you go down the Banner Grade, stop by the general store for a map and ask whoevers behind the counter for suggestions.

Have fun!

 

Went out this past weekend. Camped the first night in Clark dry lake. That was fun second night went over to coyote canyon it was super windy.
I explored rock house trail, hidden springs, palm canyon trail (pretty family friendly) and fonts point

Moon was too bright this weekend so not many stars

 

Before you guys beat me with an ugly and dump stick, I am admitting here that mistakes where made in the following videos. I will post a trip report later on the week but I wanted to show you a couple of videos. We went to anza and did sheep canyon, that was fun. On Sunday, we made it to this place around Fish Creek and it was also fun but we had some issues.

Getting Stuck better videos coming on this topic. In this case, I (we) knew I was getting stuck since I am a double cab long bed. The jeeps made it ok.



Making mistakes by turning wheels - OK I heard enough about this but yes I made a mistake but it will not happen again. This was the second time I went through this hump. The first was on the way in which was OK (I had to be pushed in from behind since I went in first, the jeepers were thinking about it too much so I went. ) but on the way out I made a little mistake. Nothing happen to the truck luckily and I made it home in one piece.

 

Yea! That last photo is sick!! How were the water levels at Coyote?

 

Mistakes happen, that you learned something is what's important. Glad nothing seemed to have broke. That looks like the obstacle to get into Sandstone Canyon, can't see it on Google but I'm 90% sure.

https://goo.gl/maps/zAH4Fag245P2

 

Yes it was there was a sign at the entrance of the canyon naming it Sand Canyon, and about 1/4 mile after you had a tougher section. We decided not to go beyond the second obstacles since we did not know the conditions of the road.

 

Thanks water levels were not that high. Went through with ease in stock truck with breather rear diff mod. I would say water went up to mid rim

 

Sandstone Canyon got blocked by an earthquake just a week after I was all the way in there (to the palisades)... a few years ago...

 

Man, how the F would you get your rig out in a situation like that? Chinook to air lift it out? Wait for a crane to try to get to the upper rim above you? Wait for USFS to blast the path clear again?

 

It would be pretty crappy to be stuck in there! I think they allowed the 4WD club to clear it... not sure? I know a former Anza-Borrego Park Ranger... I will ask him.

 

Few shots of Borrego yesterday. Was nice out there.

 

As others have mentioned, Coyote Canyon is pretty fun if you're not looking to do anything too crazy. I climbed the 3 short, rocky trails after the water section no problem. I recommend camping right at the beginning of the uphill climb off to the left where there's a cool little cave to have a campfire. Although it's right next to the heavily trafficked road, once the sun sets the road is empty. There was only one other camper somewhat nearby and he was out of shouting distance.

 

Thanks for the tip. So before the last uphill climb? Or the first uphill rocks?