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

Hopefully someone will have some spare radios we can borrow

 

have an extra set of these if anyone wants them

 

I’ll take them !!!!

 

I might end up camping out here after all! It's a helluva trek from LA.

 

I'll have 4 hand helds to loan out for the day.

 

Is anyone camping friday and/or saturday? I may make it down for the trek but I'm not sure what days I'll go. Also not really sure about a same-day turnaround. So I'd opt to camp.

 

Im, in. I will head down on friday and be camping at Dripping springs Campground. It is first come first serve. It is about 6 miles from the trail head.

 

Oh crap. I just realized this is on Saturday.

 

Hey all, I have no idea why both roads would be closed but according to the Cleveland National Forest site both High Point and Palomar Divide are closed
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/cleveland/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5340229&width=full

Definitely gonna call to see what the heck is up. Those two are the main trails of the whole ride

 

^Hopefully that's just due to the recent rain and they'll reopen real quickly?

I'm still in for this run. I'll drive out Saturday morning, possibly caravan with the other locals. My only hangup is that my cousin, who lives in Temecula, is going to tag along in my truck so I'll need to pick him up in the morning or have him meet us at the trailhead. We won't be able to camp Saturday night so will need to drive back to Temecula. Depending on timing we may need to duck out a little early to make it home at a decent hour but we'll just play that by ear.

 

I was route setting last night in AllTrails and spotted this too from some people that have tried to run these in the last couple weeks. Noted that the gates were closed =\

 

We could turn this into a Anza trip and just hit up a bunch of trails out there or hit up the training area and watch folks try to impress each other.

 

That's what tipped me off to check the USFS site, someone tried to do Palomar Divide back in January and it was closed. But they said they went to Highpoint instead so I dunno. I gotta call the Rangers to see what's up. Indian Flats starts right around the corner so we can always do that to Grapevine and then play on some other trails in Borrego. Definitely have options, just might be a bit more winging it needed

 

Is anyone here familiar with Anza for the 2wd people? There's some intermediate ones and I'm down to try but I don't want to get anyone out of their comfort zone. The ones who signed up for a nice easy day trip with graded gravel roads and then "surprise!" kinda thing

 

We can patch together with a few of these trails:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/shell-reef-expressway

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/pumpkin-patch-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/cross-over-trail

Everything seems to be 2wd friendly, with a few noted areas of soft sand, but shouldn't be too much of an issue. With a group, there should be plenty of people to yank out if needed.

 

I'll see if I can make a route out of those. I know some here are stock, but I think they should be fine. I took a roundabout way to Pumpkin Patch via Lost Lizard last time I was there and it was iffy in some spots so the main wash route should be fine. There's plenty of other washes and that main power line road. I know Font's Point is between Borrego and that area as well

 

There are so many washes and old dirt roads in that area... always something to do. Also doing some poking around north of the Salton Sea, bunch of routes:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/amys-wash

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/meccacopia-trail

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/painted-canyon-drive

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/sand-dunes-via-mecca-dale-road

It does start getting a bit north though. I dunno, I'm down a cruise and coming from BFE anyway.

 

Pumpkin Patch trail is fun with some "uh oh" type of tight turns for inexperienced folks. Nothing on that trail that will cause issues though and it will give the 2WD folks some decent photos for the gram.

As @mynameismudflap said, If someone does get stuck in soft sand, there's more than enough help to pull them out.

 

Im still in if we have to 'wing it'. Totally down for some soft "keep your R's up" kinda washes! Pumpkin Patch is cool but its been a decade and that was on MX. Im 2wd but bringing recover straps, shackles, and traction boards. Then figure out a new camp spot for Saturday night if necessary also.

LA/OC caravan meetup spot at 6am, Starbucks just East of 55 fwy on Chapman (see previous page post for map screenshot)

 

Thats awesome of you. Maybe we make sure one of those goes to the lead vehicle and one to the tail vehicle...just a thought