Every couple years we try and make it out to Anza Borrego State Park. One of the places we enjoy most within the park is Sheep Canyon. Reason being is that it's usually secluded and remote enough that most people won't travel to it. Plus it takes a 4 wheel drive vehicle to access it. Sheep and Coyote canyon are located in the north area of the park near the small town of Borrego Springs, CA.
There was a specific goal in mind on this trip besides relaxing and hiking. It was to get a group of Southern California Landcruiser guys together for a little meet and greet. Unfortunately many bailed out on the plan, but us being the outdoor enthusiast we are, we stuck to the plan. I didnt care if it was just Yosh, Dixie and I. We were going. Not to mention they close this area for the Big Horn Sheep beginning June 1st through September 30th.
Friday rolled around and we headed out. Coming down Montezuma's grade was epic. The height is 1100 feet and it drops quickly at the steepest point of 6.5% grade. The view is spectacular.
We met another member of the Landcruiser club down at Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs. Once greeted, we headed to the trail head where we would proceed to air down and get ready for the ride up through lower Coyote Canyon.
Lower Coyote Canyon has a ton of history. Dating all the way back to indians that lived natively. In 1775 Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition through this area on his way to Monterey from Mexico. He had 240 colonists settlers with him and brought 800 cattle through this canyon. Pretty wild to think that we were using motorized vehicles and hiking for "fun".
After passing desert gardens Many times you pass in and out of Coyote creek. The road crosses the creek 3 times and you will need 4 wheel drive after this point.
If you want to view this section on video check out this link on DesertUSA
Dixie was having a great time like always.
After traveling down the canyon zig zagging the creek it was time for the largest and final crossing through the willows. Every time we've passed through this crossing it feels like the jungle cruise. This time i wanted Yosh to drive. I waded through with my sandals as she entered into the crossing.
This is the deepest crossing of all of them and at one point it was to our door seam. Here's a shot of Brent heading through after us.
A shot of Derrick in his Lexus...making small bow waves. Yes, i said Lexus.
Yosh popping back out of the willows on the other side of the crossing. So lush and green.
After the creek crossing the trail gets considerably harder. Since my lower half was still soaking wet.. i told Yosh to keep driving. I want her to be able to drive out of remote areas, if god forbid something were to happen to me she could get us out to help. Practice makes perfect and she "rocked".
After a certain point i hopped into the hot seat and grabbed the wheel for the harder sections. With a trailer you only get one chance usually to get the right line. There's no real backing up per say.
There were a total of three rock gardens that took about 20 mins to traverse. The new 5.29 gearing kicked tail in low range.
Thank goodness for the multi access coupler on this ledge. Worked flawlessly.
For an overland expedition rig this is about as hard as i need to run for the stuff we do. Especially pulling a trailer.
Once up to the valley the flowers were amazing. Coming through the Ocotillo's were breath taking. Usually you only see flowers like this a short time out of the year. And never this many! El nino has been good to us.
Shot of the valley..
Dropping through the mini squeeze..
Arriving into the camping area we noticed the table that is usually standing had collapsed. We tried to figure out who/what caused it but we figured later that it was probably from the large earthquakes we had over Easter. Sad to see, but its mother nature at her finest. We couldn't do anything about it because we had nothing to rig the winch to in order to lift the heavy stones.
After setting up camp it was time to get the campfire going. Brent brought his washer tub "Sputnk" always a crowd pleaser.
Of course Brent had to make his trademark dish.. Apple cobbler in the dutch oven. It was killer as always. I think he has it down to a perfected science by now.
One of the reasons why i head out camping is because of my dad. The relationship that Derrick and his son Adam had on this trip reminded me of when i was a boy camping with my dad. I captured this photo of them enjoying their cobbler and the warmth of the fire.. kind of reminded me of how lucky i am to know the great outdoors.
That night Mike (another Landcruiser guy) would show up after sitting in traffic all friday night. Poor Mike. In the morning he made up for his long drive by making a killer breakfast including, eggs, french toast, sausage and orange juice. Thanks Mike!
After the hardy breakfast we chose to head out for our hike to the nearest waterfall. It was hot and we packed a ton of water. Having no trail, we boulder hopped and trampled around brush to get up to the first fall.
After reaching the first fall rather quickly, we proceeded upward and over. At this point my camel back water was getting really warm. Almost like hot soup. Not to mention my pack was getting really light. I knew we had a long haul ahead of us and i didn't need to be a hero. So i elected to turn back with Mike and Derrick's son Adam. I think we made the correct decision. Brent and Derrick headed on further and i handed them my handheld ham radio so that they could be in contact with us at basecamp.
Here's a photo of Derrick at the second fall. They made great time and were back to camp before lunch.
(Photo courtesy of Brent Adams)
Once we returned back to camp Yosh was waiting in the cool shade. She even had her mister for added coolness.
After hydrating and refueling our bodies with a sandwich.. we all became very relaxed. Almost too relaxed.
That is the whole point of these trips. There's no rules. Many times we go to unwind and escape stress. This was one of those times. The view around our camp helped. It was spectacular.
There had become a point where some others came and went and it would be just Yosh, Brent, Dixie and I the last night. Derrick kindly donated his fresh corn that he didn't use the night before to toss on the grill.
With the corn on and the sun going down it made for the perfect cocktail hour. Brent enjoying a nice glass of wine with his Landcruiser shirt. I need to get one of those.
Yosh relaxing with her margarita looking beautiful as the day i met her. Total pocahontas hair going on.
Dixie heard a rumor that i was grilling chicken and was waiting patiently for it (thats her favorite).
The sun going down over the canyon. What a view.
Brent decided to fire up his grill and cook up some brats and sauerkraut.
Dixie hadn't forgotten about the chicken! Looking at me with laser eyes!
She was happy when i plated up. On the menu was chicken breast, mashed taters and Derricks rockin' corn. It was sweet and juicy. Cooked slightly burned just the way Yosh likes it.
That night was an early to bed sort of a thing. I think we were all tired from hiking and the heat of the sun. The desert can do that to you. We all hit the sack pretty early. We burned 4-5 logs and called it. It had been a long day, but a great one.
The next morning we awoke and packed up to head home. The virtue of running your own business, you never get enough time off. On our way out i noticed some more eye popping flowers..
Heading back down the rock gardens
Dixie getting a birds eye view of the river crossing and wondering where the heck are we going.
Once back down the canyon and through the crossings we headed over to view some really neat metal sculptures. These were everywhere and we thoroughly enjoyed checking them out.
They were truly a treat to see and i thank whoever made them. This was a highlight of our trip.
We found a plaque that explained they were in memorial of all the expeditionary people that traveled this land.
The dang things were life size as you can tell!
Dixie didn't even care. I think she knew this animal was a herbivore..
Driving through the desert.. if you didn't know.. you'd think they were real. So life like.
I highly recommend checking out these cool metal pieces if you are ever in Borrego Springs CA. They're located just north of Christmas circle. For more info click here http://www.galletameadows.com/
After airing back up we headed on our way. Back up Montezuma's grade over through Ranchita. In Ranchita i had to stop and get a shot of the abominable snowman. I mean how often do you run into him?
The temps dropped slowly all the way home and we were sun burned and bit by flies... but you know us too well. We wouldn't have it any other way.
Until our next trip folks, thanks for reading.