I was out there last weekend for my first Anza Borrego trip (hell, first offroad trip for that matter). I was supposed to follow a friend around but he ended up with a mechanical issue (Land Rover, that explains everything). So, he pointed me in the right direction, Fish Creek off of Split Mtn. Rd, and told me to explore - wind caves, sandstone cyn, ect. Well, did all that and after sandstone cyn continued NW on fish creek wash. I had printed out a map I found online the night before and noticed that the trail continued all the way to the highway, so I figured I would continue unless things got a little hairy. I did notice two spots in RED on the map, Diablo Dropoff and Pinyon Dropoff (AKA, HAH). Pinyon Dropoff was up ahead on my route. I was not too concerned as I had seen video of Diablo Dropoff and it didn't look too bad. I was hoping it was comparable......NOT! The trail soon went from sandy wash, to washboard, then a little rocky, then a fun, tight, twisty descent, and then at the bottom of that first descent, my first test of will in my stock LX. See photo below. Went down that easier than expected ( I had faith because of all the pictures i've seen on this board). Got to the bottom, got out of the car and could believe I had just gone down that....my first thought was, "glad I don't have to go up that" (that came later). Continued on up and down some pretty steep rocky stuff for another half mile or so and then crested a little ridge and then I saw it....HAH, with the "CJ" club descending it. I knew then and there I was going to be turning around and reversing the stuff I just got through, challenging, but my only option. Turned around, headed back and made it out okay. WOW!, what an adrenaline rush, I'm hooked and ready for the Mods.
Can I make it up Heart Attack Hill in Anza?
- Thread starter AdventureBuddies
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Yeah,
Entered Fish Creek from Split Mtn at 8:30am, hit the base of Pinyon Dropoff at about 1:00, then turned around and went back. Wish I would have taken you up on your invite and followed you around. The last thing I wanted to do was scare my wife on our first trip out.... and let me tell you, I did agood job of that. I'll get to know the area better before I take her again....that is if she will ever go again, doh!
Entered Fish Creek from Split Mtn at 8:30am, hit the base of Pinyon Dropoff at about 1:00, then turned around and went back. Wish I would have taken you up on your invite and followed you around. The last thing I wanted to do was scare my wife on our first trip out.... and let me tell you, I did agood job of that. I'll get to know the area better before I take her again....that is if she will ever go again, doh!
When I came around the corner and pulled up to the ledge, I could not tell that there was the ledge on the left side going down, but as soon as my running board drug across it, I knew it was there 
. Sliders are definitely moved up the mod list t #2 behind the lift. Going back up went really well.....easier than expected. Gotta luv these cruisers!
. Sliders are definitely moved up the mod list t #2 behind the lift. Going back up went really well.....easier than expected. Gotta luv these cruisers!... as soon as my running board drug across it, I knew it was there
IMHO - put the sliders and a good skidplate #1. I haven't lifted mine yet, and I can hardly wait, but at least I can wheel it on all but extreme trails without worrying too much about damage. I recently took it out to Truckhaven Hills with a few 40's, and I'm planning on Calico soon.
SoCal TLCA is doing the Calico run. Check them out in the Clubhouse Corner and join us if you can. Good luck to you, and I hope you enjoy your rig.
Yup, indeed, I think the one I remembered is that pic labeled "who goes first down" and where the 4 runner was struggling. Seems much more "progressive" now than when I saw it though. Was pretty sharp then. Maybe filled in?
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- #30
I'm going to run the same route at the end of the month, down Diablo Drop-off and detour to see Heart Attack Hill. Can't wait to get out there...
VCCruzr - glad you enjoyed it. Once you get your lift, be sure to check out Coyote Cyn in the north of the park. You'll love it.
VCCruzr - glad you enjoyed it. Once you get your lift, be sure to check out Coyote Cyn in the north of the park. You'll love it.
You can get up Coyote Canyon stock height. I did before my lift. We got a stock 4runner up there once too. Had to stack a couple of rocks for him.
They've 'supposedly' made a few minor alterations that I hear make it a little easier as well. I've not run it since I heard word of this tho.
It's my favorite campsite in all of Anza!
They've 'supposedly' made a few minor alterations that I hear make it a little easier as well. I've not run it since I heard word of this tho.
It's my favorite campsite in all of Anza!
- Thread starter
- #34
My favorite campsite in Anza as well and one of my favorite anywhere. I've never tried it with a stock vehicle, but I figured he said he was new to offroading and I don't think new drivers should try that sort of trail with a stock vehcile.
That's cool that you got a 4Runner through. Was it 3rd or 4th gen? Running boards? Rear locker?
Do you know when these "alterations" were made and what they consist of?
Coyote Canyon is the long one that goes up North back to civilization ending close to Terwilliger Valley, that used to be a fave trail in earlier days, and is now blocked after a bit (beyond the entrance to Sheep Canyon) for the sheep to have fun.
Sheep Canyon is the place to the West of Coyote Canyon that has the rocky uphill entrance climb leaving Coyote Creek, that I believe Brent is talking about. And the creek with the bundle of palm trees up the hill. Before you get to Sheep canyon (the very end, steep, with the creek and palms), you have to cross Collins Valley (the big flat area) after the rocky climb everybody is talking about.
Coyote Canyon continues further back NW along Coyote Creek, partly bordering Collins Valley as well, but well beyond Sheep Canyon which is a little one to the West.
Interestingly, apparently there used to be an old Ranger station at the downstream end of Sheep Canyon, close to the campground, no longer visible IIRC...
The end of sheep canyon where people camp is about N33.366192 W116.482051
The entrance climb is about N33.370940 W116.429478
(for yer enjoyment with USA Photomaps, Google Earth etc)
just sayin'....
AB: they "paved" and widened the uphill trail. It is indeed easier now. Still rough with biggish rocks underwheel but not too bad. I think a stock 80 should do it easily enough without banging. A 4R too probably.
added: now that I think about it, the last time I was out there I saw a gal Ranger in a Wrangler or GW Heep in Collins Valley... That would explain the need for "smoothening" the climb? (The Heep part not the gal part
)
Sheep Canyon is the place to the West of Coyote Canyon that has the rocky uphill entrance climb leaving Coyote Creek, that I believe Brent is talking about. And the creek with the bundle of palm trees up the hill. Before you get to Sheep canyon (the very end, steep, with the creek and palms), you have to cross Collins Valley (the big flat area) after the rocky climb everybody is talking about.
Coyote Canyon continues further back NW along Coyote Creek, partly bordering Collins Valley as well, but well beyond Sheep Canyon which is a little one to the West.
Interestingly, apparently there used to be an old Ranger station at the downstream end of Sheep Canyon, close to the campground, no longer visible IIRC...
The end of sheep canyon where people camp is about N33.366192 W116.482051
The entrance climb is about N33.370940 W116.429478
(for yer enjoyment with USA Photomaps, Google Earth etc)
just sayin'....
AB: they "paved" and widened the uphill trail. It is indeed easier now. Still rough with biggish rocks underwheel but not too bad. I think a stock 80 should do it easily enough without banging. A 4R too probably.
added: now that I think about it, the last time I was out there I saw a gal Ranger in a Wrangler or GW Heep in Collins Valley... That would explain the need for "smoothening" the climb? (The Heep part not the gal part
)
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that "gal" ranger I have met several times out there, she is a real PIA and is not friendly to wheelers, the road up to middle willows is now basically paved, it is nothing like it used to be, I drove it a month ago in a bone stock 80, it used to be a bit hard which kept the crowds away, but now every asshat with a new jeep runs this trail.......
If we are talking about the same person, I have to disagree. Of all the times we have run into her out there, she has been extremely polite, friendly and helpful. She can and will be tough on those out there screwing around and destroying the place (and she should be).
Of course, we could be talking about different people, but she is the only ranger I have ever seen in the Coyote canyon area.
Actually I have seen her climb that bypass section a few times (pre-smoothing), and she can get that heep up there without any difficulty.
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I've only heard positive things about that Ranger. Never actually met her in person though.
In all fairness, before the boulder cut at the turn and the "paving"... that trail has never really been "hard".
In all fairness, before the boulder cut at the turn and the "paving"... that trail has never really been "hard".
just my opinion on the ranger, others will have their own, we were not doing anything illegal and she took the side of a hiker over my 4x4 clubs without even asking our side of the story, quick to judge in my opinion......
- Thread starter
- #40
I met that "gal" ranger last year while we were picnicing at Cactus Garden on the way in - she seemed friendly enough.
I wish I had been able to drive all the way through from Sheep Cyn to Coyote Cyn - I've heard it was a great run. Has anyone done the north half Coyote Cyn? Is there a good place to camp up there?
I wish I had been able to drive all the way through from Sheep Cyn to Coyote Cyn - I've heard it was a great run. Has anyone done the north half Coyote Cyn? Is there a good place to camp up there?