Anza-Borrego Desert: Gert wash loop 2

Rating *****
length 10 Mile - 4 hour, 50 minutes (Round trip), Easy/Moderate.
Elevation 540 - 860 feet
Access High clearance only, see below.
This hike takes you to the Gert wash and explores a couple of smaller forks.
This is a GPS only hike.
From the Carrizo wash hike north/east up to a sandy saddle, over the saddle turn north and follow a sandy wash up.
Once on top the trail leads into Gert Wash.
The loop explores a number of smaller drainages.
The way back is more adventurous, the short slot is incredibly narrow, that only a slim person fits.

WARNING:
The Carrizo Impact Area has been in use until 1959. it is a closed off area with unexploded ordnance. Sometimes buried deep in the sand.
The hike is within the Park Boundaries and just outside the impact area, but don't stray off to the East and stay within San Diego county.

How to get here:

The easiest route is to take the exit Palm Spring and drive the Vallecito Wash.
There may be soft sand and ground clearance may be needed, so drive carefully if you don't have an AWD (not recommended).
The wash ends at a 'road' closure for restoration.

WARNING:

Other routes:
The Great overland route may seem nice on the map, and it is for the first mile or so.
After that the soft sand may be deep, for only a short stretch, but more than enough to get you bogged down.

The South Carrizo creek is also a good road to drive. But you need more ground clearance and it may be very muddy after rain.


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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