Well it's the last trip before the heat switch gets flipped on full time. So we joined the local Socal80's and the Adventure4x4.net group on a Anza Borrego run. On this trip we visited Julian, Lake Cuyamaca, Green Valley Falls, Sandstone Canyon, Borrego Springs, Coyote Canyon and camped up in primitve Sheep's Canyon.
We started out our adventure by staying at a bed and breakfast in Julian the night before the run. I wanted to treat Yosh to something special. We stayed at the Hotel Robinson est. 1897 which is now known as the Julian Hotel Bed and Breakfast.
The hotel was built right on Main Street. Our room was on the top right hand corner. We had a nice view of the bank. The name of the bank is NOT A JOKE! It's really called RaboBank, we couldn't get over it!
I even researched some good hiking trails and came up with a great pick for a short hike to a decent water fall. So Friday before we checked in we went for a nice hike up to Green Valley Falls. The falls were located in the Green Valley Campgroind area just 14 miles south of Julian near Lake Cuyamaca.
There was a fire in this area back in 2001. So there are a ton interesting looking trees to look at. Many of them look like they're ready to fall on you at any moment. But thankfully many of them are cut down and trimmed so that they won't fall over and hurt someone.
The trail was very well marked and very well maintained.
This bluejay didn't seem to mind having his photo taken.
After about 40 mins of hiking we found the falls. The rocks were slick. Reminded me of marble. We had to be careful not to slip and fall when we crossed over sections of the feeding river.
I can only imagine how this fall would look after a nice down pour of rain!
After a great hike we proceeded back to Julian.. on our way we snapped some great shots of Lake Cuyamaca and the beautiful green valley.
Below you can see just how many trees were burned in this area.
Also, on the way back we stopped at a scenic view area of the Anza Borrego Desert.
After arriving back at Julian.. we proceeded to check in and grab a bite to eat. We were starving. Yosh loves Margaritas so it was very fitting for us to head over to this local mexican food restaurant. The carnitas was really good. The margaritas weren't so good. Pretty funny for a place that's named Margarita's Mexican Food!
The next morning we woke up to see Landcruisers driving down Main St. I yelled out our hotel window and they stopped for us. We then topped off our fuel and headed down the mountain to the desert. On the way down the mtn we found a local that seemed to be driving a trailer a bit too fast. He flipped his trailer into oncoming lanes, thank god nobody was hurt or injured. Just a case of a bad driver going way too fast. We decided to stop and help him upright his cement trailer.
We tried pulling the trailer over with a strap connected to his truck, but all that did was drag the trailer. So, It was a good time to break out the winch. The Warn 12,000 lbs winch made quick work of the trailer. Never a dull moment!!
We headed down to meet with the rest of the group. (Photo Courtesy of Dennis on Adventure4x4)
After meeting up with new people and introducing ourselves we headed off to our first trail run of the weekend. Sandstone Canyon.
Before we knew it.. we had a problem on our hands. Our first break down of the trip. Stan Smith lost his lower control arm bolt. Thank goodness we all come prepared and another driver Jim Hennegan had some spare hardware in his Jeep. Stan was back up and running within 20 mins. Jim didn't let up on Stan the rest of the trip for using a "Jeep bolt on his Toyota".
Sandstone Canyon is a really narrow canyon that gets tighter and tigher as you travel deeper into the canyon. At some points there are rock ledges and piles you have to climb up and over. The further you travel back in the canyon the harder it gets.
After about 2 hours of trail driving we found our limit in the canyon. It got way too tight and the rocks became too big to pass without a rock buggy. So we turned around and setup for lunch. The freshly installed awning worked out great in the 100+ degrees.
After a well deserved lunch break, we headed back down the same way we came in.
Upon completion Sandstone Canyon we headed back out Fish Canyon to the main highway. From there we ran over to Borrego Springs for fuel and supplies before our next afternoon trail run. There are 2,789 permanent residents in Borrego Springs city. After grabbing some gatorade, checking for loose bolts on the rig and fueling up at price of $4.00 a gallon we headed on our way to lower Coyote Canyon.
Just minutes into the trail... but of course what else do you expect to happen? Stan Smiths passenger side control arm snaps!! Yep, another one! Luckily Jim, had yet another bolt!
Once again we fixed it and were on our way. We later found out that Stan never was shipped the correct grade 10.2 bolts and special nuts/washers for the application. I can promise you this won't ever happen to Stan again! Right Stan?!?!?!?
After the lower control arm mess, we proceeded on. We passed by the Desert Garden. Normally you'd see tons of color here, but not this time.. we were too late in the year.
Our next section was passing by a remote area where Juan Bautista Anza camped in 1775 on his long Expedition to Alta with over 800 head of cattle and horses. It was cool to know someone else was in this area long before us. We had it easy compared to them.
Up further on the trail we crossed a creek that was very tight.
After passing through the river crossings we proceeded up to Sheep's canyon. Coyote trail and Sheep's canyon are closed certain parts of the year to protect the wildlife. We saw many hikers coming up the canyon to hopefully catch a glance at a sheep. However, many know you have to be awfully still for a long time for a sheep to be seen. We were fortunate to be able to take our rigs up the trail and camp up at the top.
Photo from DesertUSA.com
'Anza-Borrego is one of the last refuges of the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. Only 280 of this subspecies remain in the United States and 200 find refuge in the park. Anza-Borrego is important to the Bighorn when you consider the explosive metropolitan growth of Southern California.
The park has an ongoing program to help the bighorn. Over a quarter of million dollars has been spent to improve bighorn habitat. Projects include construction of six water sources in the Vallecito Mountains, fencing of the park boundary to exclude trespassing cattle, the live removal of wild cattle from many of the west side canyons, and removal of exotic trees from desert water holes.' - DesertUSA.com
Climbing up through the rocks to get to camp.
Once we made it up the 3-4 rock climbs we crossed a small sandy valley for camp. Once at Sheep Camp we setup camp and prepared for a nice potluck dinner. We had Tri-tip, grilled veggies,wine, ice cold beer, cheddarwurst sausages ,cobbler and ice cream. It was incredible! The weather finally started to cool off too.
There is only one way in and out of Sheeps canyon so we took the same rock decent back out and back through the river. We snapped a group pic as we left camp. Howd that Jeep get there?
After hitting blacktop we aired our tires back up and headed for home. Thanks to everyone for the good time. It was nice to meet such great people. Yet another great adventure to add to our list!