[Echo_29]

Okay, here's the quick and dirty report on last weekends Anza Borrego Expedition. Those that would like to add more about the trip please jump in and please post up some additional images. One of the unfortunate things I learned this weekend about being 'trailboss' (besides not having to eat dust) is that it's kinda' tough to take photos of the group.

That being said, my wife Mary & I had a great time and it was a pleasure to lead such an agreeable and easy to manage group. I also want to thank Andy for suggesting that I lead this trip and to all of you from the NorCal80s group that have made every one of the trips we've attended always enjoyable. As Mary noted on our way home we would never have had near as much fun with our Cruiser if we had never met this great group of folks!

The trip:
Andy (Cruiserdrew) was first to arrive at Borrego Springs early Wednesday afternoon and grab our campsite and await my wife Mary-Austin & I, Amando & Demy, Alvaro (alvarorb) & Monica, Roberto, and finally Brent. After a couple of us partook in Andy's BBQ’d chicken and martini making skills everyone headed off to bed pretty early especially Andy, Amando and Alvaro who had just driven the 9 hours from Northern California.



Thursday morning we headed out for a day of light exploring while we awaited additional arrivals for the days to follow. First up we headed southwest to Banner Ranch then off pavement on Chariot Canyon Road then down the fun rock strewn Rodriquez Canyon. As the road became a little rougher Andy took the opportunity at one point to charge ahead and back into the bottom of a dry rockfall which was quickly mounted by Roberto followed by Alvaro. Roberto made a valiant attempt on the rock pile only to become hung-up without lockers to push him free. A small tug by Alvaro's winch lined him up to clear the remaining obstacles cleaner than the mighty La Cabra!





After a quick stop at the bottom of the grade for photos of an amazing array of cholla and agaves we pressed on down the highway to the east to the View of the Badlands Wash. The drive was basically a tight and curvy wash among mud hills that ended abruptly at an overview that is the transition zone between rolling mud hills and the deeply eroded and scarred Carrizo Badlands.





Back on the highway we continued southeast another 10 miles to Carrizo Canyon for a rough 6 mile drive up the canyon and a quick 2 mile hike up into the gorge. It's our intent to make the end of this canyon a campsite for next year's tour with the plan to hike the 2-3 miles up the gorge to the numerous massive wooded train trestles that cling to the insanely steep mountains of rock. After our hike and a buzzing by a Navy helicopter (that we mistook for the Border Patrol come looking for a couple of our drivers) we doubled back, crossed the highway and descended into Canyon sin Nobre before turning east down the wet Carrizo Creek to our first camp near the Old Carrizo Stage Station.



Nestled up at the top of a cholla and ocotillo strewn bajada we set our first primitive camp and our 5 table strong kitchen at the base of a massive ocotillo. After the first of what would ultimately be three amazing dinners, we adjourned to the comfort of Brent's homebrewed Sputnik campfire stove to wait for James (FirstToy) to join us from LA around 10PM.





Friday we were up, out of camp and jetting down the wet wash just in time to hear on the CB and then meet up with friends Rick (Inverness) in his 80 with his son Griffin and neighbor Dale, and Rob in his Disco joined by Marcello.

Continuing on we finally found the correct entrance into Arroyo Tapiado and the prizes of the day the mud slot canyons, mud caves, and caverns.





After crossing the West Mesa we drove up then back down the north end of Arroyo Seco del Diablo Wash then stopped at the top of Diablo Drop-Off for lunch. Once down the two sandy stepped drops we snaked our way down the very narrow and boulder strewn Fish Creek that slowly opened up into a wide wash with 60-foot tall vertical bluffs on the north side. We then stopped at the junction of Fish Creek and North Fish Creek Washes for an hour of wandering among the Wind Caves high above the washes below. From here we headed up North Creek 6 miles to a wide spot in the wash where we set up our second primitive camp.







Saturday morning we drove out of North Fork then down Fish Creek that narrows to +100 feet wide with vertical bluffs that rise 300-400 feet from the canyon floor. Back out on the highway we jogged northwest to where we returned to the sandy dirt roads we'd become accustomed to. Arriving at The Slide we took a quick look down the steep, slippery, sandy, stair step slope and dove in. All was well until the Disco hit a hole tad off mark and the rear tire quickly rose 3-feet off the ground—with a quick push on the bumper the craft was quickly grounded and safely on its way. At the base of the hill we turned north until we could go no further then we exited our Cruisers and hiked up The Slot, a deep thin canyon that slowly climbs until you reach the mesa and an amazing view out across the Borrego Badlands.





From The Slot we made our ways down Borrego Mountain Wash and into the grey dust of the Borrego Sink then into Borrego Springs where we picked up Dana (Stinky?) the last of our party and gassed up for the last portion of our journey up Coyote Canyon.



Out of town we threaded our way through cholla and occatillo and across the three water crossings to the base of the rocky climb up Coyote Creek. With about half of our party up the hill we let three descending 4x4's pass us at the mid-way point of the climb. Just as we had cleared a path for them and had begun to start up again the first of 9 Jeeps started to make their way through our throng. All this traffic after seeing hardly anyone for 2-1/2 days! At the top of the grade, much to our surprise was Mars in his ruby red cruiser very kindly backing up for us to come through! From here we headed across several broad valleys until we arrived at our last campsite, Sheep's Camp at the base of the Valley of 1000 Springs.



Sunday morning we cleared camp and headed back down Coyote Creek and out to Borrego Springs where we all went our different ways to contemplate the upcoming Death Valley Daze III.

[Echo_29]

Roberto and Alvaro in Rodriguez Canyon
Brent and Amando & Demy in View of the Badlands Wash

[Echo_29]

Arroyo Tapiado

[TUFFTORQ]

Is Coyote Canyon still open from the Anza side in Riverside County? Hwy 79? Hwy 371?

[FirstToy]

It was a fantastic trip! The food was great! There's nothing like meeting friends late at night, out on the trail and plopping down next to a fire & served a tasty ribeye steak! That was just the first 10 minutes! The trip got better after that!


I thought this was Diablo Dropoff? but maybe it's "The Slide"?


and one up coyote cyn (sheep cyn?)

[Echo_29]

Originally Posted by TUFFTORQ

Is Coyote Canyon still open from the Anza side in Riverside County? Hwy 79? Hwy 371?

Coyote Canyon is open from both sides; it's just the center section of about 3 miles that is permanently closed and the lower section above third crossing that is closed from June to September.

[Echo_29]

Originally Posted by FirstToy

I thought this was Diablo Dropoff? but maybe it's "The Slide"?

The second two photos are of The Slide

[Cruiserdrew]

Scott-This was a fine trip and an excellent trail report. Thanks again for organizing this and all the scouting you guys did before hand. I really liked those slot canyons and the "mud caves". Next year, just remember to keep it secret from Eric again!

[Brentbba]

Scott and Mary - this was one fantastic trip! Many kudos for all your hard work and excellent planning on the routes and campsites! Wonderful write-up, but sent Eric the bad report. hehehe

I couldn't have asked for a better organized trip or group of people to pass (hopefully) my internship into expedition camping Norcal style! I had a blast and can't wait for DV!

[Mars]

Excellent TR! Gives me lots of ideas for the next couple weekends.

Pleasure running into you guys.

Marshall

[Echo_29]

One more: homage to Jim B & SnT!

[alvarorb]

Scott,

What a great weekend. I was worth diving the 11 hours back.
Thanks for organizing the run. Monica, Poquita and I had a great time.

Here is a little cooking video from the trip:

Time to cook

Regards

Alvaro

[alvarorb]

Mars,

It was very nice to climb up the trail only to find out there's a fellow mudder waiting to come down the hill. Not only a fellow mudder, but in an 80.

Alvaro

[e9999]

don't provoke me guys, or I'll rent a Heep just to come along next time, so you'll have to winch me everywhere! (well, even more so than usual...)

[Brentbba]

Eric, we wouldn't want you to scratch your sliders. hehehe

[e9999]

Originally Posted by Brentbba

Eric, we wouldn't want you to scratch your sliders. hehehe

mmm, good point! I wonder if could put some steel armor under the sliders...?
No, wait then these would get scratched...
but then I could put some armor under those...
no wait....

[Brentbba]

E - exactly. hehehe

[alvarorb]

Maybe Eric could try the Rodriguez (with a G) Canyon or Bernadette's Hill

Regards

Alvaro

[TUFFTORQ]

We're trying to get a trip planned for the end of March. Which route and campsites would offer some decent wheelin' and a memorable trip?

Originally Posted by Brentbba

Scott and Mary - this was one fantastic trip! Many kudos for all your hard work and excellent planning on the routes and campsites! Wonderful write-up, but sent Eric the bad report. hehehe

I couldn't have asked for a better organized trip or group of people to pass (hopefully) my internship into expedition camping Norcal style! I had a blast and can't wait for DV!

[Brentbba]

Originally Posted by alvarorb

Maybe Eric could try the Rodriguez (with a G) Canyon or Bernadette's Hill

Regards

Alvaro

Hehehe - let's give him Bernadette's Hill!