Anza / Truckhaven / Ocotillo: where to go?

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e9999

e9999

Gotta get out there...
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thinking about spending some time in the Anza Borrego btween Xmas and NY.

Spent a bit of time before in Borrego Springs and checking the trails along S22 towards the Salton Sea, but don't know much about the area.

Seems like there are some events held near Truckhaven but I haven't checked that part yet. Where do these guys spent their time?



So what would be the best place to go to for camping and some wheeling? The AB state park, the Borrego Badlands, Truckhaven, Ocotillo Wells SVRA?

Suggestions?

TIA
 
http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=98243 I'm planning on being here in the middle of Jan. Don't know how flexible your plans are. Otherwise try talking to some of the San Diego guys on the Yotatech site for advice. They're a really great bunch.
 
anybody else familiar with the area?

would like to camp near the good spots for wheeling...

there are several obvious trails in the AB SP, plus the Ocotillo Wells open area. Truckhaven I don't know anything about. Too much to explore in a few days.

Suggestions?
 
Rock garden up to Coyote Canyon is fun and the canyon is a beautiful place to camp. It's probably back open. I know the close it for mating season.
 
Brentbba said:
Rock garden up to Coyote Canyon is fun and the canyon is a beautiful place to camp. It's probably back open. I know the close it for mating season.
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yes, I think it's only up to October 1st IIRC. (Who are they to try and control our lives in the bedroom anyways...? dang bureaucrats! .:D )




anybody wants to wheel down there a bit next week?
 
had a great time! What fun to do sand washes in tight slot canyons...!
 
e9999 said:
had a great time! What fun to do sand washes in tight slot canyons...!
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Got any pics?! Would love to see them.
 
here is one: this is close to the end of Sandstone Canyon, where the canyon becomes too narrow to pass with a wide vehicle
DSC00859 small.webp
 
here is a nice hidden gem:

West end of South Fork Palm Wash slot canyon.


Go down the Calcite Mine Road off S22 at the Marker. Down to the Wash, about 200 yards. Now, instead of continuing up on Calcite Mine Road, drive up the Wash to the left (West) until you can't go anymore. Park the truck. Start walking. There should be a fallen rock over the trail as in a bridge of sorts within 20 yards or so, if so it's the right place. Keep going as far as you'd like. At times, the canyon is only a couple of feet wide. Very nice hike.

Enjoy!
 
e9999 said:
here is a nice hidden gem:

West end of South Fork Palm Wash slot canyon.


Go down the Calcite Mine Road off S22 at the Marker. Down to the Wash, about 200 yards. Now, instead of continuing up on Calcite Mine Road, drive up the Wash to the left (West) until you can't go anymore. Park the truck. Start walking. There should be a fallen rock over the trail as in a bridge of sorts within 20 yards or so, if so it's the right place. Keep going as far as you'd like. At times, the canyon is only a couple of feet wide. Very nice hike.

Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Nice!

I drove up the wash just below Calcite to the East (Palm Wash?). It also ends at a very tight canyon. You can hike up though many 'slots' also only a few feet wide (sometimes narrower). Many Calcite veins in the rock. Very cool. The exit to this wash comes out on Calcite Mine Rd.
 
LandCrusher'70 said:
Nice!

I drove up the wash just below Calcite to the East (Palm Wash?). It also ends at a very tight canyon. You can hike up though many 'slots' also only a few feet wide (sometimes narrower). Many Calcite veins in the rock. Very cool. The exit to this wash comes out on Calcite Mine Rd.
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that the dirt road that goes down sharply East from the Calcite Mine Road about 1/2 mile from the beginning? That is the North Fork Palm Wash IIRC. I did drive up that one too, but didn't walk up further. Good to know.

There are plenty of nice places to find in AB...!
 
Hey Eric, sorry I didn't really have time to hang out much - the kids were at critical mass and everyone was going hypoglycemic. Great to see you out exploring the desert though.

If you're ever going or coming from the north closer to Palm Desert/SR-74 a couple of nice "detours" that give you some variation from the desert are the Thomas Mtn area and the fire road up to Santa Rosa Mtn/Toro Peak.
 
e9999 said:
that the dirt road that goes down sharply East from the Calcite Mine Road about 1/2 mile from the beginning? That is the North Fork Palm Wash IIRC. I did drive up that one too, but didn't walk up further. Good to know.

There are plenty of nice places to find in AB...!
Click to expand...
Yes, I believe that's the one. It drops right into the wash, then West (left) to the slot.
 
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