Anza-Borrego Desert: Henderson Canyon

Rating *****
Length 8 mile (return) - 4 Hour, 5 minutes (return trip). Easy (begin) Moderate (later on).
Elevation 830 - 2350 feet
Access At the end of the Henderson Canyon Road, park at a dirt road that leads through a closed gate.

A beautiful canyon with a marked "trail".

The frequently hiked trail, is well marked with rock cairns and crosses rocky terrain while mostly following the sandy washes.

The hike is easy, close to point "fork" the hike becomes moderate.

The left fork is narrow and more interesting to hike in.
We stopped at point "boulders", where a dry fall and boulders block the way.
I checked it further on, no problem hiking further.
But only for a short while and the boulders are getting way more frequent.
In other words a nice turning point.

A detour of one hour, go north at point "Fork 2" and hike up to "Fork 2 1". Bypass the dry fall at "Fork 2" on the left (West). Along the trail, some dry falls and boulders, but nothing serious.

There are plenty of other detours, e.g. "Fork B" a rather rocky fork and "Fork A" On your way back you may choose to hike a bit cross country, more on the other side of the wash. To spot different flowers in less hiked places.
But only in the flower season. February - April.

2015 had an early flower season, we took a more northerly route up to "fork a", turned South and hiked to "fork b".
The flowering was best in the northern part of the canyon. When flowers are present, try to go out of the wash a bit to look for them.

How to get here:

At the end of the Henderson Canyon Road, take the dirt road that leads through a gate.
Signed "right of passage"
Warning: As of 2021 the gate is closed, maybe permanently. Hiking up the road is allowed adding about 40 minutes to the hike.
The GPS (gpx) route includes the road to hike.

This is a good dirt road with some rocks. Any car should be able to make it most of the way.
You may need some ground clearance to reach the end.
Because of the sculptures, they added a couple of side roads, so it looks like a maze, finding the route that leads into the canyon.

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

Click on the button "Photo markers" to show pictures, or in the right upper corner to show full screen.


Our plant listTom Chester plant list

Missing the film above or to watch full screen, use this link. (Mar/16/2013)
Thick-leaved ground cherry, Physalis crassifolia (Mar/16/2013)Trailing Windmills, Allionia incarnata var. incarnata (Mar/16/2013)
Trailing Windmills, Allionia incarnata var. incarnata (Mar/16/2013) (Mar/16/2013)
(Mar/16/2013)Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata (Mar/16/2013)
(Mar/16/2013)Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/16/2013)
Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris (Mar/16/2013)Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/16/2013)
Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Mar/16/2013) (Mar/16/2013)
(Mar/16/2013)Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Mar/16/2013)
Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Mar/16/2013) (Mar/16/2013)
(Mar/16/2013) (Mar/16/2013)
Rock crossosoma, Crossosoma bigelovii (Mar/16/2013)Rock crossosoma, Crossosoma bigelovii (Mar/16/2013)
(Mar/16/2013)Chia, Salvia columbariae (Mar/16/2013)
Fringe-pod, Thysanocarpus curvipes (Mar/16/2013)Fringe-pod, Thysanocarpus curvipes (Mar/16/2013)
California barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus (Mar/16/2013)California barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus (Mar/16/2013)
Purple mat, Nama demissum var. demissum (Mar/16/2013)California suncup, Eulobus californicus (Feb/20/2015)
Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Feb/20/2015)Desert chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana (Feb/20/2015)
(Feb/20/2015)Fremont pincushion, Chaenactis fremontii (Feb/20/2015)
Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus (Feb/20/2015)Desert chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana (Feb/20/2015)
Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Feb/20/2015)Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Feb/20/2015)
Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa (Feb/20/2015)Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa (Feb/20/2015)
California suncup, Eulobus californicus (Feb/20/2015)Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Feb/20/2015)
Brown-eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis ssp. peirsonii (Feb/20/2015)Brown-eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis ssp. peirsonii (Feb/20/2015)
Trailing Windmills, Allionia incarnata var. incarnata (Feb/20/2015)Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Feb/20/2015)
Thick-leaved ground cherry, Physalis crassifolia (Feb/20/2015)Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Feb/20/2015)
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Feb/20/2015)Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Feb/20/2015)
Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata (Feb/20/2015)Master Blister Beetle, Lytta magister (Feb/20/2015)
Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa (Feb/20/2015)Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa (Feb/20/2015)
Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Feb/20/2015)Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus (Feb/20/2015)
Brown-eyed primrose, Chylismia claviformis ssp. peirsonii (Feb/20/2015)Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata (Feb/20/2015)
Desert dandelion, Malacothrix glabrata (Feb/20/2015)Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis var. retrorsa (Feb/20/2015)
Pale sun-cup, Camissoniopsis pallida ssp. pallida (Feb/20/2015)Purple mat, Nama demissum var. demissum (Feb/20/2015)
Purple mat, Nama demissum var. demissum (Feb/20/2015)Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)
(Feb/20/2015)Cheesebush, Ambrosia salsola var. salsola (Feb/20/2015)
Cheesebush, Ambrosia salsola var. salsola (Feb/20/2015)Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia (Feb/20/2015)
Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)Desert tobacco, Nicotiana obtusifolia (Feb/20/2015)
Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)
Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus (Feb/20/2015)California fagonia, Fagonia laevis (Feb/20/2015)
Whispering bells, Emmenanthe penduliflora var. penduliflora (Feb/20/2015)Caterpillar phacelia, Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida (Feb/20/2015)
Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora (Feb/20/2015)Ghost flower, Mohavea confertiflora (Feb/20/2015)
Woody's bottlewasher, Eremothera boothii ssp. condensata (Feb/20/2015) (Feb/20/2015)
Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Feb/20/2015)
Chuparosa, Justicia californica (Feb/20/2015)Caterpillar phacelia, Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida (Feb/20/2015)
(Feb/20/2015)Yellow-head, Trichoptilium incisum (Feb/20/2015)
Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris (Feb/20/2015)Beavertail cactus, Opuntia basilaris var. basilaris (Feb/20/2015)
California barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus (Feb/20/2015) (Feb/20/2015)
Desert star, Monoptilon bellioides (Feb/20/2015)Rock hibiscus, Hibiscus denudatus (Feb/20/2015)
Rock hibiscus, Hibiscus denudatus (Feb/20/2015)Woody's bottlewasher, Eremothera boothii ssp. condensata (Feb/20/2015)
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Feb/20/2015) (Feb/20/2015)
Fremont pincushion, Chaenactis fremontii (Feb/20/2015)Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia (Feb/20/2015)
White fiesta flower, Pholistoma membranaceum (Feb/20/2015)Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Feb/20/2015)
(Feb/20/2015) (Feb/20/2015)
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Feb/20/2015)Chuparosa, Justicia californica (Feb/20/2015)
Chuparosa, Justicia californica (Feb/20/2015)California trixis, Trixis californica var. californica (Feb/20/2015)
Indigo bush, Psorothamnus schottii (Feb/20/2015)California barrel cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus (Feb/20/2015)
Bigelow's monkeyflower, Mimulus bigelovii var. bigelovii (Feb/20/2015)Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015) 🌎
Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015) 🌎Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015) 🌎
Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015) 🌎Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015)
Heart leaf suncup, Chylismia cardiophylla cardiophylla (Dec/8/2015) 🌎Heart leaf suncup, Chylismia cardiophylla cardiophylla (Dec/8/2015)
Wandsage, Salvia vaseyi (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)North at Fork 2 (Dec/8/2015)
Cheesebush, Ambrosia salsola salsola (Dec/8/2015)Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Dec/8/2015)
Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (dead) (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Narrow leaf sandpaper plant, Petalonyx linearis (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Wandsage, Salvia vaseyi (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Wandsage, Salvia vaseyi (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Wandsage, Salvia vaseyi (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Bearded cryptantha, Cryptantha barbigera barbigera (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Bearded cryptantha, Cryptantha barbigera barbigera (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Bearded cryptantha, Cryptantha barbigera barbigera (Mar/29/2016) 🌎California trixis, Trixis californica var. californica (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Desert nemacladus, Nemacladus rubescens (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Arizona cottonrose, Logfia arizonica (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Everlasting nest-straw, Stylocline gnaphaloides (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Everlasting nest-straw, Stylocline gnaphaloides (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Dwarf filago, Logfia depressa (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Dwarf filago, Logfia depressa (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
(Mar/29/2016) 🌎Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Bearded cryptantha, Cryptantha barbigera var. barbigera (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Caterpillar phacelia, Phacelia cicutaria var. hispida (Mar/29/2016) 🌎 (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Wandsage, Salvia vaseyi (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Glandular nemacladus, Nemacladus glanduliferus (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Pale suncup, Camissoniopsis pallida ssp. pallida (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Pale suncup, Camissoniopsis pallida ssp. pallida (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Desert Bluebells, Phacelia campanularia var. campanularia (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Specter phacelia, Phacelia pedicellata (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Threadstem, Pterostegia drymarioides (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Desert chicory, Rafinesquia neomexicana (Mar/29/2016) 🌎
Large flowered trailing windmills, Allionia incarnata villosa (Mar/29/2016) 🌎Burrobush, Ambrosia dumosa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
(Mar/21/2017) 🌎Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis retrorsa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Desert threadplant, Nemacladus rubescens (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Bigelow's monkey flower, Mimulus bigelovii bigelovii (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Malacothrix glabrata / Chaenactis fremontii (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Malacothrix glabrata / Chaenactis fremontii / Lupinus arizonicus (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
(Mar/21/2017) 🌎Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Desert threadplant, Nemacladus rubescens (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Apricot mallow, Sphaeralcea ambigua ambigua (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Roundleaf phacelia, Phacelia rotundifolia (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Pima rhatany, Krameria erecta (Mar/21/2017) 🌎 (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Lupinus arizonicus / Encelia farinosa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Small flowered trailing windmills, Allionia incarnata incarnata (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Desert threadplant, Nemacladus rubescens (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Desert bluebells, Phacelia campanularia campanularia (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Glandular threadplant, Nemacladus glanduliferus (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Glandular threadplant, Nemacladus glanduliferus (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Wishbone plant, Mirabilis laevis retrorsa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
California trixis, Trixis californica californica (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Caterpillar phacelia, Phacelia cicutaria hispida (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Parish's poppy, Eschscholzia parishii (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Desert trumpet, Eriogonum inflatum (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Common phacelia, Phacelia distans (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Beavertail, Opuntia basilaris basilaris (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Desert star, Monoptilon bellioides (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Desert star, Monoptilon bellioides (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Roundleaf phacelia, Phacelia rotundifolia (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Malacothrix glabrata / Chaenactis fremontii (Mar/21/2017) 🌎Bigelow's monkey flower, Mimulus bigelovii bigelovii (Albino) (Mar/21/2017) 🌎
Hoffmannseggia, Hoffmannseggia microphylla (Jan/20/2018) 🌎Fountain grass, Pennisetum setaceum (Jan/20/2018) 🌎
California fagonia, Fagonia laevis (Jan/20/2018) 🌎Sweetbush, Bebbia juncea aspera (Jan/20/2018) 🌎
Desert lotus, Acmispon rigidus (Jan/20/2018) 🌎 (Jan/20/2018) 🌎
Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Chorizanthe brevicornu brevicornu , Brittle Spineflower (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Nemacladus rubescens , Desert threadplant (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Psorothamnus schottii , Indigo bush (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Rafinesquia neomexicana , Desert chicory (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
(Apr/4/2019) 🌎Rafinesquia californica , California chicory (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Phacelia rotundifolia , Roundleaf phacelia (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Phacelia campanularia campanularia , Desert bluebells (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Nama demissa demissa , Purplemat (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Nemacladus rubescens , Desert threadplant (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
(Apr/4/2019) 🌎Encelia farinosa farinosa , Brittlebush (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Pennisetum setaceum , Fountain grass (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Bahiopsis parishii , Parish's goldeneye (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Adenophyllum porophylloides , San Felipe dogweed (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Ephedra aspera , Mormon tea (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Sphaeralcea ambigua , Apricot mallow (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Funastrum hirtellum , Hairy climbing milkweed (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Salvia eremostachya , Desert sage (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Trixis californica californica , California trixis (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Cylindropuntia ganderi , Gander's cholla (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Monoptilon bellioides , Desert star (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Malacothrix glabrata , Desert dandelion (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Eschscholzia parishii , Parish's poppy (Apr/4/2019) 🌎 (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Psorothamnus schottii , Indigo bush (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Opuntia basilaris basilaris , Beavertail (Apr/4/2019) 🌎
Mammillaria dioica , Fishhook (Apr/4/2019) 🌎Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎Mirabilis laevis retrorsa , Wishbone plant (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Delphinium parishii subglobosum , Intermediate larkspur (Apr/13/2020) 🌎 (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Keckiella antirrhinoides microphylla , Little leaf chaparral beard tongue (Apr/13/2020) 🌎Salvia eremostachya , Desert sage (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎 (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎 (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎 (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎Dudleya saxosa aloides , Desert dudleya (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Muilla maritima , Muilla (Apr/13/2020) 🌎Encelia farinosa farinosa , Brittlebush (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
(Apr/13/2020) 🌎Mammillaria dioica dioica , Fishhook (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Malacothrix glabrata , Desert dandelion (Apr/13/2020) 🌎Fouquieria splendens splendens , Ocotillo (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Salvia columbariae , Chia (Apr/13/2020) 🌎Phacelia rotundifolia , Roundleaf phacelia (Apr/13/2020) 🌎
Allionia incarnata incarnata , Small flowered trailing windmills (Apr/13/2020) 🌎Dithyrea californica , Spectacle pod (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Chylismia claviformis peirsonii , Brown eyed primrose (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Phacelia campanularia campanularia , Desert bluebells (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Brassica tournefortii , Sahara mustard;Asian mustard (Feb/7/2023) 🌎One of the steeper drainages (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Crossosoma bigelovii , Rock crossosoma (Feb/7/2023) 🌎One of the steeper drainages (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
One of the steeper drainages (Feb/7/2023) 🌎One of the steeper drainages (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
One of the steeper drainages (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Eschscholzia parishii , Parish's poppy (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Malacothrix glabrata , Desert dandelion (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Eschscholzia parishii , Parish's poppy (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Eschscholzia parishii , Parish's poppy (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Diplacus bigelovii bigelovii , Bigelow's monkey flower (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Eschscholzia parishii , Parish's poppy (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Emmenanthe penduliflora penduliflora , Whispering bells (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Ambrosia salsola salsola , Cheesebush (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Datura discolor , Desert thorn apple (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Nama demissa demissa , Purplemat (Feb/7/2023) 🌎Nama demissa demissa , Purplemat (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Abronia villosa villosa , Desert sand verbena (Feb/7/2023) 🌎
Date: 2015/12/8
Date: 2016/3/29
Date: 2017/3/21
Date: 2018/1/20
Date: 2019/4/4
Date: 2020/4/13
Date: 2023/2/7

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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