Chaser #15 Pinyon Mountain Trail

[Gear]

Febuary 7, 2007 Miles and I headed out to Borrego Springs. We finally got around to doing the Pinyon Mountain Trail. After dropping down from Julian we took Rodriguez Canyon over to the S2 and then back tracked up the S2 a couple of miles to the start of Pinyon Canyon. Beautiful day trip. Here are the photographs.

Rodriguez Canyon

 

[Gear]

More shots

 

[Gear]

More shots

 

[SLOwag]

Looks like you made it through the squeeze unscathed. Nice setup you have there.

I love that trail, use to frequent that when I lived in San Diego. A good hike is to the top of Whale Peak especially when it's clear, great 360 degree views.

I did encounter some Mtn. lion tracks at the bottom of a punch bowl when hiking down.....still very rugged beautiful country. Any more pics?

 

[pwc]

what's that that fell off?

 

[FJ Cruiser]

the "squeeze" always makes me nervous. how often do vehicles get dinged in there and is there away around it?

edit - i guess no way around them:
Pinyon Mountain Road

Preview: This trail is worth the drive just for the scenery, but the main attractions are The Squeeze and Pinyon Drop-off. Neither obstacle has a bypass. The photo of the Toyota Tundra on the opposite page shows what can happen to a full-size vehicle at The Squeeze. Excellent driving skills are needed to descend extremely steep Pinyon Drop-off, a.k.a. Heart Attack Hill. You should consider this a one-way trip since you can't turn back after The Squeeze. The last part of the trip is easy as you exit through Fish Creek Wash and spectacular Split Mountain. No ATVs are allowed on trail, but street-legal dirt bikes are permitted provided they stay on designated routes. Trail passes through a narrow canyon with steep hills and one extremely steep descent. Not recommended for stock or full-size vehicles. For experienced drivers only. Lockers will make the trip easier. Do not drive this trail if heavy rain is expected. You would not want to be in Fish Creek Canyon during a flash flood. Don't go alone.

 

[Gear]

PWC wrote

what's that that fell off?

Jerry can holder. Snapped at the weld.

Credit to Goodtimes - "Not if but when is it going to fail." Turned out to be a good time. Soft sand and not the I-5 freeway going 65mph.

More shots

 

[offroadchef]

The photo of the Toyota Tundra on the opposite page shows what can happen to a full-size vehicle at The Squeeze.

Where is the photo?

 

[viter]

thanks for pictures and a story!!!!
I wanna go too now!

 

[Desertdude]

Looks like fun! You are unstoppable with that Chaser:bowdown:


We are heading out to Anza end of this month :safari-rig:

 

[FJ Cruiser]

The photo of the Toyota Tundra on the opposite page shows what can happen to a full-size vehicle at The Squeeze.

Where is the photo?

not sure, I found the info on this site that had a free preview:
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=XFT001-054

 

[Brian McVickers]

Wow that squeeze looks tight, great pictures and adventures as always.


And based on my last four weeks, 12hours, of welding 101 lecture, I'd say that there was not enough penetration on those welds.

 

[Scott Brady]

As always, great report Justin :bowdown:

 

[viter]

will this trail be harder to run backwards?
and if so will it still be manageable (in your opinion) in a 2003 doublecab 4x4 taco with a rear locker, ~2" lift, 31" M/T tires, and experienced driver?

 

[Gear]

Viter wrote

will this trail be harder to run backwards?
and if so will it still be manageable (in your opinion) in a 2003 doublecab 4x4 taco with a rear locker, ~2" lift, 31" M/T tires, and experienced driver?

Anza Borrego Map shows the trail being one way only thru the middle section. There is a stake at the top of Heart attack Hill. This leads me to believe that people have run it backwards. I personally would not try going up Heart attack Hill without a winch. The trail has plenty of technical sections with out having to run it backwards. Plus the whole time you are going down you get to look out at the great vista's. Some areas would be difficult to pass if you were going the wrong way and came upon traffic. I would also use great caution when going alone. Here are 3 pictures of Heart attack Hill.