Anza-Borrego Desert: Hawi Vallecito - Lower Storm Canyon loop

Rating *****
length 8 mile - 5 hour (The loop). Easy/Moderate.
Elevation 1740 - 2500 feet
Access Most cars exit Hawi Vallecito, close to mile 30.9.

This hike takes you just outside the park at Hawi Vallecito, into the lower Storm Canyon wash in Vallecito Valley.
A good place to see some flowers that are different from the rest of the park.
Once past the fence you are outside Hawi Vallecito, in BLM? land and cross country hiking should be allowed.

This hike keeps west following the road up to a fence, go around the fence on the north side.
Hike along the fence up to the wash and take it upstream. (west)
The route follows the easy wash up and goes along the edge of the valley.

The next fence is signed, keep out, so follow this fence south up to the main Storm canyon wash.
This is a more rugged, rocky wash.
Hike this wash down, at the end cross the fence and hike back along the dirt road.

How to get here:
Exit (signed) Hawi Vallecito, close to mile 30.9, the first road going left is closed off, so keep right and follow the excellent dirt road, all the way to the end.
At that point you find a huge dirt parking.
The location is locally known as the Campbell Ranch just past the Campbell Grade, driving in from the North
Hawi is Kumeyaay for "the place where tules grow" and vallecito is Spanish for "little valley".

Warning:
The gate will be closed at night and opens around 8 am.
Prepare for the eventuality that the gate remains closed for the day, as there may be no one to open the gate, especially out of season from April - November.

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).

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