BorregoWrangler
Rendezvous Conspiracy
These trails cover part of the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition routes of 1774 and 1775. Juan Bautista de Anza was the first European to establish an overland route from Mexico, through the Sonoran Desert, to the Pacific coast of California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Bautista_de_Anza
Ollie and I met up early Saturday morning to check trail conditions on my Anza Expedition Route as well as a few areas along Fish Creek that we have not been to.
Starting out at Old Borrego Valley Road. An electrical substation on the south side of Hwy 78 marks this turnoff into San Felipe Wash and up into Cactus Valley. This route, which used to be the only access into Borrego Valley, now passes through a quite, serene and little visited portion of the desert.
Airing down at the trail head and I'm looking forward to my new Jeep's first off-highway outing.
Before County Road S-22 was built, this was the road taken to Borrego Springs after coming from Warner Springs down Grapevine Canyon.
View of Borrego Badlands in the distance.
Ollie, bringing up the rear of our small convoy.
Passing through Borrego Sink.
The Anza expedition arrived at the original Borrego Spring, near this location, 5 miles southeast of the present-day town of Borrego Springs, on March 12th 1774, where he encountering 60 Kumeyaay Indians. A historic marker near here indicates that Anza named the spring San Gregorio.
Passing the Borrego Badlands and Fonts Point on our right. There are two trails that penetrate the heart of the Badlands- Rainbow Wash and Hills of the Moon Wash.
We now enter the wide, sandy course of San Felipe Wash.
Our route takes us through a section of Ocotillo Wells OHV Area.
We have the whole desert to ourselves.
Markers note the historic route of Juan Bautista de Anza.
Highway 78 bridge offers some welcome shade.
The route along San Felipe Wash starts to narrow.
We find ourselves in a deeply cut maze of washes.
From San Felipe Wash, we make our way to Pole Line and Old Kane Springs Road to Carrizo Wash.
San Sebastian Marsh boundary at Carrizo Wash.
The unique, water-based habitat along San Sebastian Marsh has supplied a permanent, dependable source of water for people and wildlife since ancient times. The marsh was a stopping place for the Spanish explorer de Anza, who named it after his Indian guide Sebastian Tarabel and after trading with some 400 Kumeyaay assembled there, continued northwest up San Felipe Wash into the Borrego Valley. The marsh is the only designated critical habitat in California for the desert pupfish, an endangered species. Because of its importance in sustaining this unique marshland environment, San Felipe Creek and San Sebastian Marsh is a registered National Natural Landmark. It has also been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The area around the creek and marsh are easily damaged and very sensitive. The marsh is closed to vehicle use, with closure of boundaries clearly posted.
Dodging one of the many muddy holes along the way.
Carrizo Wash.
Nearing the end of my route.
From here we follow the trail along the Gypsum Mine railroad track to Split Mountain Road, which marks the end of my Anza Expedition Route. So far we covered 54 miles in about 3 1/2 hours.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Bautista_de_Anza
Ollie and I met up early Saturday morning to check trail conditions on my Anza Expedition Route as well as a few areas along Fish Creek that we have not been to.
Starting out at Old Borrego Valley Road. An electrical substation on the south side of Hwy 78 marks this turnoff into San Felipe Wash and up into Cactus Valley. This route, which used to be the only access into Borrego Valley, now passes through a quite, serene and little visited portion of the desert.
Airing down at the trail head and I'm looking forward to my new Jeep's first off-highway outing.
Before County Road S-22 was built, this was the road taken to Borrego Springs after coming from Warner Springs down Grapevine Canyon.
View of Borrego Badlands in the distance.
Ollie, bringing up the rear of our small convoy.
Passing through Borrego Sink.
The Anza expedition arrived at the original Borrego Spring, near this location, 5 miles southeast of the present-day town of Borrego Springs, on March 12th 1774, where he encountering 60 Kumeyaay Indians. A historic marker near here indicates that Anza named the spring San Gregorio.
Passing the Borrego Badlands and Fonts Point on our right. There are two trails that penetrate the heart of the Badlands- Rainbow Wash and Hills of the Moon Wash.
We now enter the wide, sandy course of San Felipe Wash.
Our route takes us through a section of Ocotillo Wells OHV Area.
We have the whole desert to ourselves.
Markers note the historic route of Juan Bautista de Anza.
Highway 78 bridge offers some welcome shade.
The route along San Felipe Wash starts to narrow.
We find ourselves in a deeply cut maze of washes.
From San Felipe Wash, we make our way to Pole Line and Old Kane Springs Road to Carrizo Wash.
San Sebastian Marsh boundary at Carrizo Wash.
The unique, water-based habitat along San Sebastian Marsh has supplied a permanent, dependable source of water for people and wildlife since ancient times. The marsh was a stopping place for the Spanish explorer de Anza, who named it after his Indian guide Sebastian Tarabel and after trading with some 400 Kumeyaay assembled there, continued northwest up San Felipe Wash into the Borrego Valley. The marsh is the only designated critical habitat in California for the desert pupfish, an endangered species. Because of its importance in sustaining this unique marshland environment, San Felipe Creek and San Sebastian Marsh is a registered National Natural Landmark. It has also been designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). The area around the creek and marsh are easily damaged and very sensitive. The marsh is closed to vehicle use, with closure of boundaries clearly posted.
Dodging one of the many muddy holes along the way.
Carrizo Wash.
Nearing the end of my route.
From here we follow the trail along the Gypsum Mine railroad track to Split Mountain Road, which marks the end of my Anza Expedition Route. So far we covered 54 miles in about 3 1/2 hours.
