Outdoor Adventure USA

Sunday morning at 5:30 AM I topped of the fuel tank and filled my two Sceptor aux. cans expecting $5.00 a gallon fuel prices in Borrego Springs. My friend Chris showed up on time and ready to roll. Chris owns a 3rd gen 4runner which is bone stock except the 3" lift that we recently installed. He has very little off road experience so this was going to be a great experience for him. We used my FRS radios for communication and that really worked out great. Upon arrival to Borrego Springs I show Chris Palm Canyon Campground and the visitors center. It was a bit hazy but otherwise a beautiful day. We headed up to Coyote and passed the occasional group of naturalists in their Prius'. The wild flowers were in fine form, not 100% yet but quite beautiful. BTW longtime ranger Nancy has retired after 20 some odd years with the park, she will be missed. Her replacement seems to have her same good demeanor thank goodness.

Unfortunately the park decided that the Coyote Canyon rock gardens needed another grading, this is the worst by far. It amazes me that they can get away this, they have literally jack hammered away every natural obstacle. If the Sierra Club were to see one of us out there doing this kind of damage there certainly would be hell to pay.

After zipping up the "rock gardens" and out to Sheep Canyon we ran into lots of folks trying to get away from the main TDS group. We said hello and then hiked up to the lower falls which had plenty of water as the picture shows. We took a few pics and headed back down to town for lunch. It's kind of sad but the economy has claimed two of my favorite restaurants out there so we had to go with Jilberto's which sometimes seems to have questionable quality meat.

With time slipping by we would fore-go the ubiquitous run to Font's and head straight out to Split Mountain, Fish Creek the Wind Caves and Sandstone Canyon. The views from the Wind Caves were breath taking and being Sunday afternoon we pretty much had the whole canyon to ourselves. Sandstone has has some pretty sizable rock falls and prevented anyone without a little nerve or experience from continuing very far. Though Chris was doubtful his rig was capable of making it through the many obstacles we encountered we managed to do so unscathed. By the time we exited Fish Creek the wind was blowing 35-40mph and it was raining as we hit Lake Hensahw. All and all it another great day in Anza Borrego!

Its always a good time out in Anza Borrego. Looking forward to the rest of your pics and report.

Sounds like a fun time

So you're able to get to the back of Sandstone once again? Looks like a great trip.

OLLIE wrote:So you're able to get to the back of Sandstone once again? Looks like a great trip.

I didn't really think about that since I was focused on getting Chris through each obstacle but apparently yes. I accidentally deleted my GPS track , but we were far enough back where it became very technical and finally turned around due to the late hour. I would say Fish Creek and Sandstone are as good as they get right now.

That is awesome, Scott! I gotta make it a point to get out to Sandstone in the next couple months before it gets too hot out there.