Anza-Borrego Desert: Mine Wash Loop 2

Rating *****
length 5.7 mile (the loop) - 2 hour, 45 minutes (Return trip). Moderate.
Elevation 1980 - 3300 feet
Access On the 78 exit on mile 79.1. 2.7 mile from the crossing with the S3.

A most scenic canyon wash loop.

The hike is easy/moderately.

From the parking you can see a canyon to the west, right of the main wash.
To get there start hiking north in a small sandy wash.
Follow this wash all the way up.
The sand is mostly firm and we were the first in quite some time.
We called it the pincushion wash, because it was filled with them, early in April.

Eventually you see the canyon narrowing, a small granite fall, easy to hike on the right hand side.
More sandy wash on top.
Keep more to the left as the wash levels and gets less distinct.

On the saddle you can see Shelter Valley.
Keep level and turn left (south) around the hill.
A bit uphill along a wash, keep Shelter Valley on your right, up to another saddle (saddle 2).
Down in front of you is the "No Pinyon Mountain Road"
Hike down to the left and follow the more sandy ridge down to the road.

Follow the road down into the mine wash. The road is firm, so hiking is easy.
You hardly see any vehicles on this road.

At the end of the road, the wash narrows, some small dry falls and you reach the other end of the mine road.
Hike down towards the car, short cutting the road.

How to get here:

Drive the mine road for 3.2 mile. Park roadside.
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.