Anza-Borrego Desert: Pinyon Wash - Harper Flat Loop

Rating *****
Length 9.1 mile (return) - 4 Hour (return trip). Easy/Moderate.
Elevation 1620 - 2610 feet
Access At Hwy 78, mile 81, take the signed exit Pinyon Canyon. Keep east at every fork and park after 2.4 mile. The road is good but you need some ground clearance.

This hike follows an east fork of the Pinyon Wash up to Harper Flat and back into the main Pinyon Wash.
The loop follows nice sandy washes, views over open terrain and has one short obstacle, a 500 Yard small boulder canyon.

Follow the wide and sandy wash up keeping to the far left (East) and heading South/East.

At point "Rocks 1" a short rocky stretch marks the point where the fork enters the main wash.

For over an hour hike on the very wide sandy wash.
Notice the steeper canyon with the boulders, that's where we are heading.

The Boulder part is short, but the Cat claw is often where the best route is.
After about 500 Yards, the wash levels out and a sandy wash reappears.

Keep right in the next fork. The wash disappears, head South and turn South/East towards a small saddle.
You can see glimpses of Harper Flat below.

Over the saddle follow the wash into Harper Flat.
As you see the sandy dike on the right, go over it as soon as it's low enough to cross.
Now head South/West, following the edge of Harper Flat.
The Pinyon wash is in the North/West edge of Harper Flat.

Follow the Pinyon wash down. Close to the dirt road there is a short Boulder passage.

Head back for the car.

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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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