Anza-Borrego Desert: Pinyon Mountain Loop

Rating *****
length 4.8 mile - 2 hour 45 minutes (Return trip). Moderate.
Elevation 3500 - 4490 feet
Access On the S2 from Borrego Springs. As soon as you see the Anza Borrego Park sign turn left on the Pinyon Mountain road. This dirt road goes straight ahead as the N(on) Pinyon Mountain road turns left. So go straight ahead as far as you can make it on a 4x4. Our clearance wasn't enough for the last part. You may make it beyond our parking spot. (Extra) High clearence and AWD recommended.

After about 50 minutes hiking from our parking spot, the crossing is reached. Left the Pinyon Mountain and right Whale Mountain.

Go Left.
After a short stretch of dirt road, at a primitive campground, go straight up the mountain, a bit to the left.
Find the best route on this more slippery part.

At Rim/Photo 2 you have reached the rim and the hiking is considerably easier from now on.
The main "peak" is on the left.

After the peak, we went on straight ahead, a bit downhill.
The mountain is rather steep on both sides.
Continue going down in a more westerly direction.

At a part that is less steep go left and descent. This is a part that requires some experience in finding your way, through small boulders and plants. It can be a bit slippery at times so be careful. But there is alway a way that's not too difficult.

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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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