Anza-Borrego Desert: Borrego Mountain Wash loop

Rating *****
Length 4.5 mile (return) - 2 Hour (return trip). Easy/Moderate.
Elevation 460 - 780 feet
Access Take the well marked Buttes Pass road, close to mile 87. Keep left at the crossing Slot / Buttes pass. At the slot keep left An AWD is recommended.

Hike along the canyon wall, with very good views of the badlands.
Follow a ridge all the way down, this is the place you want to have a hiking stick.
The ridge is sand with some gravel, somewhat steep and slippery, but with a stick it's not much of problem.

Once down in the wash, go a bit to the right and hike up the sandy wash.
The saddle to the left is where we are going.

Down from the saddle, the wash makes a steeper drop, twice. (3 feet)
But look carefully and you find an easy way down.

Follow the road back towards the car. At every fork of the road keep right.
The drop off towards the car is a bit of a climb at the end of the hike.

How to get there:

The roads are well marked and are good, you need some ground clearance and an AWD is recommended and may be needed at the end.

Take the well marked Buttes Pass road, close to mile 87.
Keep left at the crossing Slot / Buttes pass.
At the slot parking take a 90 degree turn left, following the road along the canyon wall.
As soon as you see the one way sign, park off road.

DO NOT DRIVE DOWN FOR THIS HIKE BEYOND THE ONE WAY SIGN.
Beyond the point park, you can drive down but:
Whatever you do don't go down with your car, without hiking the road at least half way down.
The road is a nasty one, with deep holes, once committed, there is no way back.

 Disclaimer: Read this first before you start your hike. Contact: info/at/borregohiking/./com (leave out the /)
Hiking the Borrego Springs Area (Anza-Borrego Desert SP, Cuyamaca Rancho SP, Imperial Sand Dunes (Algodones Dunes), Jacumba, Laguna Mountain, Warner Springs) California, Hike with gps, gpx and kml (Google Earth).
© 2013-2024 Borregohiking.com.