mercier@streetsmart.ca
Expedition Scout
Over 500 miles of 4WD roads and 100 miles of hiking/biking trails provide remote access into the largest desert state park in the US; badlands, sandstone canyons, palm tree oasis with trails ranging from easy-going sandstone canyon washes to narrow articulation-testing trenches, steep hill climbs and drop-offs.
When planning a new expedition, I often start by doing a web and Google Earth photo search to get a sense of the region. Anza-Borrego Desert brought up an incredibly diverse and compelling array of possible targets.
At the very top of the list, was Sandstone Canyon, located in the heart of the 1000 square miles of diverse terrain in the largest desert state park in the nation.
Sandstone Canyon by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
From there the search turned to the most interesting routes to reach Sandstone Canyon. How can you resist a trail with the compelling name, Diablo Drop-off?
Diablo Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Or Pinyon Mountain Drop-off, that has a gateway called the “Squeeze”?
The Sqeeze, gateway to Pinyon Mountian Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Pinyon Mountian Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Or SoCal’s most popular off-road playground, Truckaven; narrow articulation-testing trenches, steep hill climbs and drop-offs above the Salton Sea.
Truckaven trenches by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Unlimited selection of dispersed camping opportunities and some unique structure campgrounds.
Dispersed camping above Diable Drop-off. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Campground at Palm Canyon Oasis Trailhead by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
And what’s a desert expedition without an oasis?
Palm Canyon Oasis by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Palm Canyon Oasis by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Then sprinkle in 130 metal sculptures, scattered across the desert floor.
Metal Sculptures near Borrego Springs by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Of course any Expedition for OverlandFrontier.com, has to have an interesting storied past that can add depth and context to the journey. The first to jump off the page is The Great Southern Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Route that passed this way, the longest mail stage line ever operated.
Great Southern Overland Mail Stage Route by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Giving away my age, I grew up with western Saturday matinees. The movie Stagecoach helped the Concord stagecoach become the iconic symbol of the old west and skyrocket the career John Wayne. And this region is where that romantic connection is rooted. The route section from Yuma across southern California was some of toughest on the line.
Stagecoach Movie Staring John Wayne. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
But this route had much deeper roots, in fact overlanders have been drawn to the oasis of this deserts for 6000 years followed by the Kumeyaay; evidence of these native seasonal camps and villages is everywhere.
Kumeyaay Natives to Anza-Borrego. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
One of the most sacred native sites is in Jacumba Mountain Piedra Grandes Cultural Preserve – the most beautiful rugged desert region we in Anza-Borrego we encountered.
Among Kumeyaay caves festooned with rock art, is the “Horse & Rider” pictograph, the oldest record of early Spanish exploration, likely the 1774 Juan Bautista de Anza expedition.
Piedra Grandes Cultural Preserve by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Missionary Franciscan Garces, will be forever remembered by the overland community as the first European to cross the prehistoric native trade route, the Mojave Road. Besides his religious role, the expedition-save padre acted as a scout on the 1774 expedition led Juan Bautista de Anza across the desert that now carries his name.
Early Mexico Map of California by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Anza and Garce teamed up for a second expedition that left Tubac in 1776 with 250 colonists and crossed the desert on their new Anza Trail, to settle a frontier outpost on the coast, an outstanding natural bay they named el río de San Francisco.
Tubac Presidio by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
The second historical inland route was discovered when Spanish soldiers came to rescue, after Padre Garces and all the male settlers were massacred during the Yuma Crossing Quechan Indian uprising. Returning from saving the woman and children, Captain Pedro Fages, blazed an offshoot of the Anza Trail, up the Carrizo-Vallecito Corridor, now Sweeney Pass and Box Canyon.
Spanish Expedition Force. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
In 1847, US Army scout Kit Carson used the all but forgotten trail to guided General Kearny and his “Army of the West” through the Anza-Borrego Carrizo-Vallecito Corridor to attack Mexicans in California.
Mexian-American War Battle of San Pasqual. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
The only religiously based unit in US military history, the Mormon Battalion, followed with heavy supply wagons that required broadening the pack trial to a wagon road.
Mormon Batallion by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Timing was perfect, for just after the US won the Mexican-American War, gold was discovered in California in 1849 and many of the 100,000 who rushed to region, passed this way leading to the name of Southern Emigrant Road, that was also known as the Southern Overland Route Mail Road after 1858.
Emigrant Trail by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
If all this was not enough, add the oldest standing railroad wooden trestle, now abandoned, and only reached by an aggressive hike - you’ve got my attention.
Goat Canyon Trestle in Carrizo Gorge by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
With all of this in hand, Overland Frontier had all the fodder required for a new expedition. Given the storied past of this region we decided to call it the Anza-Borrego Desert Iconic Trails & Oasis Journey.
22)Anza-Borrego Overview Cover by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
It is easy to plan a pass-through route, if you know what type of terrain and attractions you like most. We wound up exploring a diverse cross-section that we have segmented into Two Trek Series Stages and Six Trek Legs.
Scouting Report Overview sample Page 3. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
The first series of Trek Legs in our Anza-Borrego scouting expedition provides an incredible array of terrain to choose from. Leg 1 of the scouting expedition starts on several Easy trails, just above the Mexican border, in the most beautiful rugged desert region in Anza Borrego encountered. Ancient tribes were attracted to the palm trees, a universal symbol for water and life. The boulder-strewn Jacumba Mountains supply relief from the afternoon sun and nesting sites for the golden eagle, an important spiritual symbol for the Kumeyaay natives, who still consider this Piedras Grandes cultural preserve sacred. We traveled up the iconic Butterfield Overland Stage Route to Blair Valley to explore prehistoric village and ceremonial sites. From there those looking for an Easy route to Sandstone Canyon, a must on any Anza-Borrego expedition, can jump to Trek Leg 4. Two more adventuresome routes into the canyon were explored. Trek Leg 2 starts Easy by traveling through Canyon sin Nombre and retracing surviving dirt sections of the Overland Stage Route. Trails became more technical as we scouted the Seco del Diablo (Dry Devil) and Tapiado loop leading to Diablo Drop-off, now a Moderate route after the parks department graded a portion. Trek Leg 3 provides a Difficult alternative through the more exciting “Squeeze and Pinyon Mountain Drop-off into Fish Creek. Both Leg 2 and 3 are narrow one-way routes. Leg 4 travels the Easy Fish Creek Canyon trails, our link to Stage B of this Journey.
Scouting Report sample pages 4 and 5. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
We stopped to tour the ancient seabed Wind Caves, as we traveled up the Easy sandy Fish Creek wash trails to the must-visit Sandstone Canyon, that starts Easy and ends with a short Moderate section. Leaving Fish Creek Canyon, Split Mountain Road heads northwest towards Borrego Springs on a flat desert region scouted for early Spanish emigrants, making their way to settle San Francisco Bay in 1776, spearheaded by Anza-Borrego State Parks namesake - Juan Bautista de Anza. We could not retrace the southern part of the original expedition, now off-limits, as it was used as a US navy bombing practice range during WWII. After wandering the Borrego Badlands, our original intent was to retrace Anza’s Trail up Coyote Canyon, but Google Earth geo-tagged photos of Palm Canyon Oasis combined with cooler weather lured us to the unique fireplace-camp structures at the oasis hiking trailhead (open fires are not allowed in the massive state park without containers). From there we retraced Truckhaven Road, an old trail cut by pioneer ranchers to reach markets in the, then, fledging community of Palm Springs. Along the way, we explored Truckaven Hills, a diverse range of Moderate and Difficult trails; thousands of acres of narrow articulation-testing trenches, steep hill climbs and drop-offs before exiting at the Salton Sea.
Scouting Report sample pages 6 and 7. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
To see the complete Free 22 Page Scouting Report Overview, go to overlandfrontier.com and:
http://www.overlandfrontier.com/journey/anza-borrego-desert-iconic-trails-oasis-journey
Also on this link you will find Trek Series Tracklogs of our scouted route live, on-line, in Google Maps/Satellite or you can download our free GPS/GPX Tracklog to your Smartphone, Tablet, Computer or Dedicated GPS device
Highlights of our detailed Scouting Reports will follow in future posts on this thread.
This Journey is part of Overland Frontier Three Nation Expedition that is being showcased in another EP thread:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...tion-To-From-Overland-Expo-Flagstaff-Ariizona
When planning a new expedition, I often start by doing a web and Google Earth photo search to get a sense of the region. Anza-Borrego Desert brought up an incredibly diverse and compelling array of possible targets.
At the very top of the list, was Sandstone Canyon, located in the heart of the 1000 square miles of diverse terrain in the largest desert state park in the nation.
Sandstone Canyon by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
From there the search turned to the most interesting routes to reach Sandstone Canyon. How can you resist a trail with the compelling name, Diablo Drop-off?
Diablo Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Or Pinyon Mountain Drop-off, that has a gateway called the “Squeeze”?
The Sqeeze, gateway to Pinyon Mountian Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Pinyon Mountian Drop-off by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Or SoCal’s most popular off-road playground, Truckaven; narrow articulation-testing trenches, steep hill climbs and drop-offs above the Salton Sea.
Truckaven trenches by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Unlimited selection of dispersed camping opportunities and some unique structure campgrounds.
Dispersed camping above Diable Drop-off. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Campground at Palm Canyon Oasis Trailhead by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
And what’s a desert expedition without an oasis?
Palm Canyon Oasis by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Palm Canyon Oasis by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Then sprinkle in 130 metal sculptures, scattered across the desert floor.
Metal Sculptures near Borrego Springs by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Of course any Expedition for OverlandFrontier.com, has to have an interesting storied past that can add depth and context to the journey. The first to jump off the page is The Great Southern Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Route that passed this way, the longest mail stage line ever operated.
Great Southern Overland Mail Stage Route by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Giving away my age, I grew up with western Saturday matinees. The movie Stagecoach helped the Concord stagecoach become the iconic symbol of the old west and skyrocket the career John Wayne. And this region is where that romantic connection is rooted. The route section from Yuma across southern California was some of toughest on the line.
Stagecoach Movie Staring John Wayne. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
But this route had much deeper roots, in fact overlanders have been drawn to the oasis of this deserts for 6000 years followed by the Kumeyaay; evidence of these native seasonal camps and villages is everywhere.
Kumeyaay Natives to Anza-Borrego. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
One of the most sacred native sites is in Jacumba Mountain Piedra Grandes Cultural Preserve – the most beautiful rugged desert region we in Anza-Borrego we encountered.
Among Kumeyaay caves festooned with rock art, is the “Horse & Rider” pictograph, the oldest record of early Spanish exploration, likely the 1774 Juan Bautista de Anza expedition.
Piedra Grandes Cultural Preserve by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Missionary Franciscan Garces, will be forever remembered by the overland community as the first European to cross the prehistoric native trade route, the Mojave Road. Besides his religious role, the expedition-save padre acted as a scout on the 1774 expedition led Juan Bautista de Anza across the desert that now carries his name.
Early Mexico Map of California by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Anza and Garce teamed up for a second expedition that left Tubac in 1776 with 250 colonists and crossed the desert on their new Anza Trail, to settle a frontier outpost on the coast, an outstanding natural bay they named el río de San Francisco.
Tubac Presidio by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
The second historical inland route was discovered when Spanish soldiers came to rescue, after Padre Garces and all the male settlers were massacred during the Yuma Crossing Quechan Indian uprising. Returning from saving the woman and children, Captain Pedro Fages, blazed an offshoot of the Anza Trail, up the Carrizo-Vallecito Corridor, now Sweeney Pass and Box Canyon.
Spanish Expedition Force. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
In 1847, US Army scout Kit Carson used the all but forgotten trail to guided General Kearny and his “Army of the West” through the Anza-Borrego Carrizo-Vallecito Corridor to attack Mexicans in California.
Mexian-American War Battle of San Pasqual. by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
The only religiously based unit in US military history, the Mormon Battalion, followed with heavy supply wagons that required broadening the pack trial to a wagon road.
Mormon Batallion by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
Timing was perfect, for just after the US won the Mexican-American War, gold was discovered in California in 1849 and many of the 100,000 who rushed to region, passed this way leading to the name of Southern Emigrant Road, that was also known as the Southern Overland Route Mail Road after 1858.
Emigrant Trail by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
If all this was not enough, add the oldest standing railroad wooden trestle, now abandoned, and only reached by an aggressive hike - you’ve got my attention.
Goat Canyon Trestle in Carrizo Gorge by Overland Frontier, on Flickr
With all of this in hand, Overland Frontier had all the fodder required for a new expedition. Given the storied past of this region we decided to call it the Anza-Borrego Desert Iconic Trails & Oasis Journey.
22)Anza-Borrego Overview Cover by Overland Frontier, on FlickrIt is easy to plan a pass-through route, if you know what type of terrain and attractions you like most. We wound up exploring a diverse cross-section that we have segmented into Two Trek Series Stages and Six Trek Legs.
Scouting Report Overview sample Page 3. by Overland Frontier, on FlickrThe first series of Trek Legs in our Anza-Borrego scouting expedition provides an incredible array of terrain to choose from. Leg 1 of the scouting expedition starts on several Easy trails, just above the Mexican border, in the most beautiful rugged desert region in Anza Borrego encountered. Ancient tribes were attracted to the palm trees, a universal symbol for water and life. The boulder-strewn Jacumba Mountains supply relief from the afternoon sun and nesting sites for the golden eagle, an important spiritual symbol for the Kumeyaay natives, who still consider this Piedras Grandes cultural preserve sacred. We traveled up the iconic Butterfield Overland Stage Route to Blair Valley to explore prehistoric village and ceremonial sites. From there those looking for an Easy route to Sandstone Canyon, a must on any Anza-Borrego expedition, can jump to Trek Leg 4. Two more adventuresome routes into the canyon were explored. Trek Leg 2 starts Easy by traveling through Canyon sin Nombre and retracing surviving dirt sections of the Overland Stage Route. Trails became more technical as we scouted the Seco del Diablo (Dry Devil) and Tapiado loop leading to Diablo Drop-off, now a Moderate route after the parks department graded a portion. Trek Leg 3 provides a Difficult alternative through the more exciting “Squeeze and Pinyon Mountain Drop-off into Fish Creek. Both Leg 2 and 3 are narrow one-way routes. Leg 4 travels the Easy Fish Creek Canyon trails, our link to Stage B of this Journey.
Scouting Report sample pages 4 and 5. by Overland Frontier, on FlickrWe stopped to tour the ancient seabed Wind Caves, as we traveled up the Easy sandy Fish Creek wash trails to the must-visit Sandstone Canyon, that starts Easy and ends with a short Moderate section. Leaving Fish Creek Canyon, Split Mountain Road heads northwest towards Borrego Springs on a flat desert region scouted for early Spanish emigrants, making their way to settle San Francisco Bay in 1776, spearheaded by Anza-Borrego State Parks namesake - Juan Bautista de Anza. We could not retrace the southern part of the original expedition, now off-limits, as it was used as a US navy bombing practice range during WWII. After wandering the Borrego Badlands, our original intent was to retrace Anza’s Trail up Coyote Canyon, but Google Earth geo-tagged photos of Palm Canyon Oasis combined with cooler weather lured us to the unique fireplace-camp structures at the oasis hiking trailhead (open fires are not allowed in the massive state park without containers). From there we retraced Truckhaven Road, an old trail cut by pioneer ranchers to reach markets in the, then, fledging community of Palm Springs. Along the way, we explored Truckaven Hills, a diverse range of Moderate and Difficult trails; thousands of acres of narrow articulation-testing trenches, steep hill climbs and drop-offs before exiting at the Salton Sea.
Scouting Report sample pages 6 and 7. by Overland Frontier, on FlickrTo see the complete Free 22 Page Scouting Report Overview, go to overlandfrontier.com and:
http://www.overlandfrontier.com/journey/anza-borrego-desert-iconic-trails-oasis-journey
Also on this link you will find Trek Series Tracklogs of our scouted route live, on-line, in Google Maps/Satellite or you can download our free GPS/GPX Tracklog to your Smartphone, Tablet, Computer or Dedicated GPS device
Highlights of our detailed Scouting Reports will follow in future posts on this thread.
This Journey is part of Overland Frontier Three Nation Expedition that is being showcased in another EP thread:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...tion-To-From-Overland-Expo-Flagstaff-Ariizona
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