Leap Day Run - 2/29/20 - Palomar to Borrego Springs

Starting a separate thread for this so it doesn't get lost in the other one. Here's a rough plan of the ride:

Begin > Chihuahua Valley Rd > Indian Flats > 79S > San Felipe Rd > Montezuma Valley Rd > Grapevine Canyon > Yaqui Pass Rd > Borrego Springs & Sculptures > End


Old Culp and Jasper Trail are options as well on the return trip, depending on time. You can find those trails on TrailsOffroad for waypoints and trail info. Both should be 2wd friendly, but are a bit "more" than the main trails of this trip.

Some are planning to camp in Borrego - I think @sicki is organizing the camping part. He's also rallying a caravan coming down from the OC LA area

UPDATE: HIGH POINT AND PALOMAR DIVIDE ARE CLOSED due to recent rain and controlled burns they're doing up there. We'll run the same route, just beginning at Puerta la Cruz/Indian Flats off of Chihuahua Valley Road.
After checking out the metal sculptures, we'll most likely head west towards Font's Point, Pumpkin Patch, Shell Reef, etc. There's tons of washes to play around in out there.

Make sure you bring lunch and snacks and stuff! Sunshine Summit Market 5 miles south of the meeting point is a mini grocery store and they have a deli attached as well. I figure we can break for lunch in Borrego Springs before heading to the washes and Ocotillo? Or maybe lunch at Pumpkin Patch?

MEETUP TIME IS 8AM AT CHIHUAHUA VALLEY & PUERTA LA CRUZ
GPS Coordinates: 33.384702, -116.687851

It looks like that area will be big enough to fit a bunch of trucks. Hopefully
Just past that, turn right onto Puerta La Cruz/Indian Flats and continue south.

Link to route: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary...84df-bf98ec6e3fc3/?layer=usfs-roads,Satellite

It looks like last chance gas is in Temecula. There doesn't seem to be much east of Aguanga.


I would still plan to fill up in Temecula and/or top off at this tiny Sunshine Summit Market and Gas place that's 5.9 miles away from the meeting point. It's just south of Chihuahua Valley Rd.

Here's a tentative route for AB after the metal sculptures:

[Begin] S22 > Fon't Point > Short Wash > Palo Verde Wash > Shell Reef > Pumpkin Patch > Tule Wash > Five Palms Spring (site) > Arroyo Salado > S22 [End]

This goes to Pumpkin Patch and the Five Palms Oasis. There's a million offshoots that'll take you just about anywhere, if you're not familiar with the area it can seem a little crazy. Truckhaven is near the end, and you can also take Tule farther east as well. Just throwing it out there

Gaia Route: https://www.gaiagps.com/datasummary...8135-0310c341d337/?layer=usfs-roads,Satellite




ROLL CALL: Please let us know if you're coming or not - YSL tagged everyone on the list in a post on page 9.

 

I read on another forum, if you wanted to get the gate codes it was something as simple as going to the ranger station and asking? I do not know if this is to be true or not but possibly an opportunity to not have a major loss of time.

I will also be willing to stay the night in Anza or Ocotillo for those that want to stay out and head home sunday.

 

That would be awesome if that's the case with the gates. I'll have to remember to ask about that when I call.

 

Sub'd

 

@eon_blue was just talking about that the other day, that a trail he always wanted to do always had a locked gate and finally went to the station and they were like sure go for it. Or something like that

 

Yea that was for the Rincon Truck trail in the San Gabriels...tbh I've never heard of that being a thing before (getting gate codes from Rangers for closed trails). It might just be exclusive to that trail. Most get closed for seasonal or preservation reasons in which case they stay locked to the public. Can't hurt to call and ask though.

 

i'll be tentative for this run. the wifey is coming to town for a conference and she's got a room in coronado. depending on what time you guys start we may just want to hang out at the hotel...

 

Room at the Del?

 

i wish, that was my first question. forget where she's staying, but definitely not the del.

 

Ooooo that trail is still on my to-do list. Is the whole thing open now or still just the small section, do you know?

 

I love Coronado, it's one of the places I miss about living farther south. Moved to San Marcos and now it feels like a road trip just to go to North Park. But I'll gladly drive 2.5 hours for a trail ride Anyways, I'm an early riser so I'm ok with meeting up at 8 or 8:30, not sure how far the drive is for everyone else. In order to cover most of that trip we'll have to head out early-ish anyways. Start time is negotiable is what I'm saying

 

I'm 99.9 % in on this. would be driving out from Long Beach if anyone else wants to caravan out.

 

Is anyone running comms?

 

I’ll have a Hamm radio

 

I have nada

 

I’m close enough over in Costa Mesa. I would be down to roll with you.

 

I just got my baofeng and still learning. So far I just programmed FRS and GMRS channels 1-22 through CHIRP. Slowly going through some youtube lessons so I can get my technicians license...

I think we need a thread dedicated to HAMs, I have so many questions including, what would a group of riders use for constant comms? Any random FRS channel?

 

I heard that the rest of it has actually been closed off for awhile now so I not sure when they plan on opening the whole thing up again. The trail itself is really easy, just a fire road. No 4wd needed though I usually use it just to exercise the drivetrain

 

I'm in the same boat, except I currently only have walkie talkies

I'm sure others more educated on this can chime in.