Anza-Borrego Desert: Crazycline Gypsum Peak loop

Rating *****
Length 5.6 mile (loop) - 4 Hour, 30 minutes (loop). Moderate.
Elevation 460 - 1730 feet
Access Fish creek wash. AWD recommended.

Studying satellite images, I noticed the light colored formations above the Wind Caves, so that's where we are heading.

The hike starts at the Wind Caves sign, following the trails uphill.
The hike follows faint trails up along the ridge line, the canyons left Crazycline canyon and right Wind caves canyon.
The terrain varies from faint trail to slippery rocky.
Eventually reaching one of the many roads, follow the old washed out road up for a while, at some point the road vanishes, head cross country towards the peak.
Notice the Pygmy cedar "forest" on this barren ground, about the only thing that likes to grow out here.
Meeting another road that heads towards the peak.

Enjoy the great view but make sure to stay away from the unstable cliff face.

To complete the loop, head north/west on the road winding along the cliff.

At the end of the road, the shortest route is going up to the ridge.
This route heads down along the gypsum and heads back to the ridge when it gets to steep.

Be careful hiking along the steep ridge, head east on an old Indian trail.
Once in the canyon head downhill, notice the rocks twisting like crazy.
Close to the end, a sheer drop.
Now head back and find a way out of the canyon, on the south side of the canyon wall.
Head along the canyon wall, heading north/west.
Go down left (might be easier) or to the right, the trail heads down rather steep and slippery, so going left might be a safer option.

How to get here:

Take Split Mountain Road for about 8 miles.

Follow the road towards the Fish Creek camp ground.
The road starts in the middle of the wash in most years.

Road condition vary a lot from year to year.
But normally any AWD should do. The road is sandy with some rocks.

Park as the road exits the canyon, before the Windcaves or as soon as you see the wind cave sign on the left side of the wash (after 5 miles).

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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