December Camping Suggestions

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Hey guys!

I am looking to do some camping around the solstice (Dec.21) and wondered if anyone had some suggestions of good places where you can hike from the area near your campsite. We are also looking for places that are pretty remote or at least quiet and not in an organized campground.

Thanks!

 

[leucadiacruiser]

Check this book out - might be some adventure on the central coast for you - sometimes weather lines up perfectly in December.

 

[Phulcrum]

Lower coyote Canyon

 

[Mogwai]

Yeah that's a great suggestion. Anywhere in Anza Borrego really... you can have fires as long as you bring a metal container to have them in. As for fires... it looks like you can have them in Cleveland National Forest as of Dec. 5, and San Bernadino National Forest as of Dec. 9.

The route that Phulcrum and Co are planning to do this Sunday might be a good place to go if you haven't hiked through the mud caves and out to the wind caves. Also Mortero Wash is a "moderate" trail in Anza that starts off S2 before Ocotillo and takes you too the remains of an old railroad station and there are something like 20 or so railroad tunnels you can see/walk through along the way (with a lot of hiking involved), plus you can hike to Carrizo Gorge and Goat Canyon Trestle -- I've got some more info on this route if you're interested.

 

[Pigcat]

For nice primitive camping in Borrego I would suggest follow Lower Coyote Canyon up the rocky hill of doom (Turkey Grade - its been filled in so no longer doomful) to Sheep Canyon. There is a really nice camp site at very end of the trail. From campsite you can hike up the riverbed - left fork goes up to the palm tree oasis that you can see from campsite (25 foot waterfalls during wet season) hiking up the right fork is nice too. Good hiking east then south from the site up into Cougar Canyon and Indian Creek too.

Another primitive Borrego option is follow Vallecito Creek Rd east through Carrizo Creek Wash. The trail actually goes upstream (east) all the way thru the wash. When you finally come to the end of the reeds/water look for a road to the left - follow it about half mile north to nice spots along the dirt cliffs/walls. Great sunrise from there if ur a morning kind of person or an all niter person!!!

 

[elripster]

We camped at Bailey's a few years back in Feb and found it to be a bit cold and on the windy side being down in the wash where it is. However, we explored Alder Canyon and found a small camping area that looked to have good shelter from the wind with a little creek next to it. I am not sure about the immediate hiking options around that area though.

Frank