Anza-Borrego Desert: Plum Canyon - North Pinyon Mountain Peak Loop

Rating *****
length 6.5 mile (the loop) - 3 hour, 53 minutes (the loop). Easy (first) / Moderate (steep, some boulders).
Elevation 1870 - 3580 feet
Access On Hwy 78, mile 74.1, drive into the signed Plum Canyon Road.

A scenic loop in the plum canyon and up the North Pinyon Mountain Peak.

At the crossing take the left fork and hike along the road.
At point "end" the road ends as it is blocked by a small fall.

On the fork keep left and at point "fall" a small fall blocks the canyon, it's easy to hike around it on the left.

At this point keep on going in the most obvious wash. Even if you take another wash, you will end up close to the same point.

Mark the position of the peak, as it's more difficult to find the right one closer by.
Going cross country, that's really easy toward a saddle below.
At the saddle, hike straight for the top, the hike up is easy again, a lot of open spaces with sand.
Some more rocks closer to the top.

An alternative route: At the saddle head North and follow the wash down, the easier shorter route.

The summit is actually a twin summit, the second (left) one is slightly higher.

On the second summit go north and hike over the ridge.
This part of the hike is easier with a hiking stick.
The descend is a bit steeper and a bit more difficult to find your way along the century plants.

Finally in the wash again, it makes the hike a lot easier in the sand.
Enjoy the easy hike.

At point "Falls" you meet the only serious obstacle on this hike.
A rather high fall, too much for our taste.

Hike back a bit (50 yards) and go up the canyon wall on the right (west).
Go down on the other side, some boulders, but nothing too difficult.

In the main wash again, the fall is still too far away to see.
Hike downhill, until the canyon widens and the wall on the left is lower. (about 1 mile)
Go over the left wall, hiking west. You need to cross over as this wash runs all the way to the Highway.

On the dirt road, turn left (south) towards the crossing.

How to get here:

On Hwy 78, mile 74.1, drive into the signed Plum Canyon Road.
Stop after 1.3 mile at the cross road.
Alternatively you can park sooner after 0.8 Mile.
Normally this dirt road can be driven up to the trail head, by most cars.

Load the hike in: GPX or KML (Google Earth file) Tip: use the right mouse key and select save.

 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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