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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/23/2012
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I was thinking of driving out the Fish Creek Wash road to Sandstone canyon in the next week or so. I have never been there and wondered if anybody could tell me what the road is like and if my big crewab 4wd diesel would make it. I have driven it out to the end of Carrizo Gorge several times and Rockhouse canyon, it does well on hard rocky surfaces but deep sand may be problematic.
TIA,
Daren
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
7/23/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
I was thinking of driving out the Fish Creek Wash road to Sandstone canyon in the next week or so. I have never been there and wondered if anybody could tell me what the road is like and if my big crewab 4wd diesel would make it. I have driven it out to the end of Carrizo Gorge several times and Rockhouse canyon, it does well on hard rocky surfaces but deep sand may be problematic.
TIA,
Daren
You'll have zero problems. Last year there was a large rock fall that blocked Sandstone Canyon about halfway in. When I was there earlier this year, a route had opened up around it but too tight for my Tundra. Still an easy hike to the end of the canyon. Have a few pics posted on panoramio/google earth of the rock fall. The one mistake I made was trying to drive out of Fish Creek via The Dropoff. Don't try that with a long wheelbase vehicle! Took me forever during 100 degree weather. Wasn't aware it's one-way when I did it.
Just found a pic of the rock fall from January of this year. The new opening is on the right with the old left side still blocked. Tom
Sandstone Canyon Collapse by tomteske, on Flickr
<em>edited by tommy750 on 7/23/2012</em>
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mrkmc Posts: 87
7/24/2012
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much easier road than carrizo and rockhouse.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/24/2012
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Great, thanks! I was afraid it would be deep sand. Wasn't the rock fall from the Easter earthquake a couple of years ago?
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http://www.carrizogorge.com
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anutami Posts: 491
7/24/2012
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Daren, I made it with my f350 and truck camper to mouth of the canyon and hiked in. It was right when I got my truck and didn't know I had to Manually lock the hubs so I drove all the way in 2wd! There is a lot of soft sand, but it is off the road . As long as you stay on the road you will be more than okay. The hard part will be turning around at the end of the canyon.
<em>edited by anutami on 7/24/2012</em>
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
7/24/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
Great, thanks! I was afraid it would be deep sand. Wasn't the rock fall from the Easter earthquake a couple of years ago?
Yup, you're right. Was out there 2/10 and no collapse and 11/10 with a collapse. Tom
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/26/2012
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Hi Darren
We love the Fishcreek/Sandstone Canyon area and have visited quite a bit in the past year. There can be some soft sand in parts of Fishcreek but any 4wd can navigate. Sandstone Canyon is beautiful The slide is indeed from the Easter earthquake. Here are a couple of pictures of me and my Jeep climbing up and over! It's pretty narrow. The bypass was pretty narrow as well. But there are areas to park and it's not a bad hike to the end of the canyon.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/mazdalady/IMG_0762.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/mazdalady/IMG_0763.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/mazdalady/IMG_0764.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/mazdalady/IMG_0777.jpg[/IMG] Beautiful Canyon
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/26/2012
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BorregoLinda:
Thanks...I don't mind a few scrapes and bruises to the sides, Bob has already christioned my truck in Indian Valley to that. I did not get out there last week, I am hopeful this weekend.
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http://www.sefcik.com
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http://www.carrizogorge.com
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anutami Posts: 491
7/27/2012
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That rock fall is a bit scary since and will keep that in mind when picking my campsites! Here is a picture of us camping at the mouth of the canyon dec 09 and probably will not be camping there again. Any body been up Olla Wash (the next canyon up?), and hiked up near the mud palisades? Looks pretty neat 
here is our youtube video
This is when Brett (my son) was 2, pretty funny
<em>edited by anutami on 7/27/2012</em>
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/30/2012
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Well, Fish Creek got 1.9" of rain this afternoon!
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/30/2012
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Borregolinda wrote:
Well, Fish Creek got 1.9" of rain this afternoon!
So yesterday I started out to drive to Fish Creek and as I dropped down into Ocotillo (about 90 miles from home) my wife called me and an emergency at home required me to head back. I was thinking maybe next week I may get out there. Let me know if you see or hear of any conditions that might make it not advisable.
Thanks!!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/31/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
Borregolinda wrote:
Well, Fish Creek got 1.9" of rain this afternoon!
So yesterday I started out to drive to Fish Creek and as I dropped down into Ocotillo (about 90 miles from home) my wife called me and an emergency at home required me to head back. I was thinking maybe next week I may get out there. Let me know if you see or hear of any conditions that might make it not advisable.
Thanks!!
Not sure I'd go this weekend! Last time there was a big rain the entrance was real muddy and we almost got stuck! We're heading to the visitor center today for programs and will try to find out more.
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/31/2012
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Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck. Wouldn't recommend attempting that trip for a bit, another week anyhow! We'll let you know if we hear anything else!
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
7/31/2012
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Borregolinda wrote:
Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck. Wouldn't recommend attempting that trip for a bit, another week anyhow! We'll let you know if we hear anything else!
Great, thanks...!
So what was Steve's joke lineup for today?
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
7/31/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
Borregolinda wrote:
Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck. Wouldn't recommend attempting that trip for a bit, another week anyhow! We'll let you know if we hear anything else!
Great, thanks...!
So what was Steve's joke lineup for today?
Ha! He was actually pretty tired. Had been up since 3 for a bird walk tour at Salton Sea!
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
8/1/2012
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Borregolinda wrote:
Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck.
Here is the story http://www.10news.com/news/31322575/detail.html
I think I will wait awhile until no more flash floods will occur, can't say I want my truck to look like that.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
8/1/2012
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dsefcik wrote:
Borregolinda wrote:
Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck.
Here is the story http://www.10news.com/news/31322575/detail.html
I think I will wait awhile until no more flash floods will occur, can't say I want my truck to look like that.
Looks like we may be done with the rain for now. Just super humid! But the roads are still a mess!
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
8/2/2012
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That video of the flash flood is crazy!! I can't believe how much water flowed through there.
Borregolinda wrote:
dsefcik wrote:
Borregolinda wrote:
Talked to Ranger Steve today. Split Mtn. rd is closed right now. Lots of mud. Had to rescue someone by helicopter from Wind Caves area after his vehicle became mired in muck.
Here is the story http://www.10news.com/news/31322575/detail.html
I think I will wait awhile until no more flash floods will occur, can't say I want my truck to look like that.
Looks like we may be done with the rain for now. Just super humid! But the roads are still a mess!
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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Clifford Posts: 7
10/15/2012
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Old post I know- but the folks who were airlifted out were a little more than mired in mud- pretty incredible. Flash floods are no joke- I really had no idea they could be this powerful. I have been to this area many times.
"Recent heavy rains in Fish Creek shows what happens when you don’t listen to the weather forecasts. Flash floods were predicted yet a father and son drove to Wind Caves to hike in the morning. Their truck was washed 1.75 miles down Split Mountain and the father and son were helicoptered out. Luckily 911 works without any bars showing on a phone."
http://www.desertusa.com/mb3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2812
Regards,
Clifford
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DesertZenGlen Posts: 2
10/23/2012
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My wife and I foolishly decided to head out to Sandstone Canyon via Fish Creek in my Toyota Tacoma 2x in late September. The silt at the bottom of the canyon was so bad, we got stuck in about a minute and a half. It was about 9:30 pm, and we figured we were just going to have to set up camp there and wait until morning to get help out. Fortunately, two semis hauling rocks from the mine were heading out, and we were close enough to the road to flag them down. The drivers (both totally awesome guys...Curtis was an ex-Marine, and his buddy who's name I forgot), helped us dig and push out the truck.
So my question is, how soon before I'll be able to get back out there? I want to see how things are going on getting all the paint off of Oyster Shell Wash, and I have a desperate need for some Split Mountain sunrises and sunsets.
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mrkmc Posts: 87
10/23/2012
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DesertZenGlen wrote:
I want to see how things are going on getting all the paint off of Oyster Shell Wash
What do you mean by get all the paint off of Oyster Shell wash?
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DesertZenGlen Posts: 2
10/23/2012
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Well, last time we made it out to Oyster Shell Wash some punks had tagged up the end of it, big time - that little bowl all the way down the canyon as well as some rocks along the trail that leads up from it. We were furious when we saw it! Last time we saw Ranger Steve at the Borrego Palm Springs campground he mentioned that he was getting volunteers together in November to do some work on restoring the area, but haven't heard back from him about it since...
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Clifford Posts: 7
10/24/2012
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I think it best to be prepared and cautious. I could suggest walking ahead when in doubt and have ample carpet/traction ramps with you and of course a good shovel and gloves. We got stuck back in '96 heading up Rockhouse Canyon in a== plain Ford van== on my birthday and some great folks from MI happened to be there and helped us dig out and build a stone road under one wheel (stuck in sand up to axle tring to turn around, my last words to the driver were "I don't think you should do it...", this was almost 15 years before I owned my first 4x4)
Took us hours but gotta say it was very memorable as I am sure your experience was!
Thing is even if someone says all is well you still might find conditions different or get stuck anyway once you are out there.
Thats a damn shame about the graffitti!
I did my first volunteer trip w Sierra Club south of Lake Isabella last month and will prob do a DV volunteer trip in 2 weeks, you could find out how to volunteer to take care of that area that we love so much. It is a good feeling!
C
DesertZenGlen wrote:
My wife and I foolishly decided to head out to Sandstone Canyon via Fish Creek in my Toyota Tacoma 2x in late September. The silt at the bottom of the canyon was so bad, we got stuck in about a minute and a half.
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anutami Posts: 491
10/24/2012
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I am planning a trip in about 3 weeks and may head through fish creek to split rock/dave mccain spring. Curious to know if it is do able with my rig. We went as far as olla wash in 09 but things have changed a bit out there. Looking on a topo map it looks a bit tight going through olla wash and dave mccain spring.
TIA
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
10/24/2012
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anutami wrote:
I am planning a trip in about 3 weeks and may head through fish creek to split rock/dave mccain spring. Curious to know if it is do able with my rig. We went as far as olla wash in 09 but things have changed a bit out there. Looking on a topo map it looks a bit tight going through olla wash and dave mccain spring.
TIA
Drove to Split Rock in my stock Tundra 4X4 in January and found the canyon between Olla Wash and Split Rock rocky and slow going but quite passable. Drove as far as Sandstone Canyon in August after the flash flood without any major problems. Not sure what has changed beyond that. Hope that helps. Tom
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dokdive Posts: 2
10/30/2012
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I'm planning to head out to Fish Creek Wash this coming weekend, in a small 4WD convoy carrying some folks who don't go out to the desert, so they can go see Split Mountain, Wind Caves and Elephant Knees. I've been to Fish Creek a few times before and I know those spots aren't far in, and from what I'm reading here it sounds like the road is OK that far, but can anyone verify that?
I was out in the desert about six weeks ago scouting out a camping site for this weekend but didn't think to scout Fish Creek as I hadn't heard about the floods. I called the park shortly afterwards when I heard about the floods, and they said Fish Creek was a mess but they hoped jeepers would have blazed a trail by the time I was heading out.
I'll call the park this week to ask about road conditions. What about current conditions for Sandstone Canyon?
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anutami Posts: 491
10/30/2012
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I talked to Brett at the Ranger headquarters he ran Fishcreek three days ago and said it is doable with four-wheel-drive as there are some soft sand areas. He said they recorded an 8 foot wall of water rushing through the canyon and it is completely different from what it was. His words to describe it were "UNBELIEVABLE". He described it as MAJOR errosion from Fishcreek wash up to Sandstone canyon. All of the trees shrubs and boulders are completely gone! He also mentioned they removed the F1 50 that had washed down from the wind caves over 2 miles. They had to cut it into six sections in order to remove it. He also described split Mountain Road at the intersection of Fishcreek wash being completely obliterated 400 yards on the road and 4 to 5 feet deep. It has since been repaired.
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ziphius Posts: 911
10/30/2012
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anutami wrote:
I talked to Brett at the Ranger headquarters he ran Fishcreek three days ago and said it is doable with four-wheel-drive as there are some soft sand areas. He said they recorded an 8 foot wall of water rushing through the canyon and it is completely different from what it was. His words to describe it were "UNBELIEVABLE". He described it as MAJOR errosion from Fishcreek wash up to Sandstone canyon. All of the trees shrubs and boulders are completely gone! He also mentioned they removed the F1 50 that had washed down from the wind caves over 2 miles. They had to cut it into six sections in order to remove it. He also described split Mountain Road at the intersection of Fishcreek wash being completely obliterated 400 yards on the road and 4 to 5 feet deep. It has since been repaired.
I wonder if the owners of the F150 got billed for their trouble?
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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dokdive Posts: 2
10/30/2012
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Thanks. I just called the park headquarters and got the same story regarding no trees or boulders left in the wash, and the F-150 that had to be cut up. They reckon Wind Caves is doable with 2WD as long as you have a little clearance. Sandstone Canyon is a different story, it has sections with 18 inch deep sand now, "not for the faint of heart", and there's another fallen boulder further up.
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
11/11/2012
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We're going camping at Fish Creek Tuesday, I know, we live here in Borrego but still like to camp in the Park! But plan to driving up to Sandstone and into so will report back when we return at end of week.
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Clifford Posts: 7
11/11/2012
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Borregolinda wrote:
We're going camping at Fish Creek Tuesday, I know, we live here in Borrego but still like to camp in the Park! But plan to driving up to Sandstone and into so will report back when we return at end of week.
thanks!, please report weather too.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
11/12/2012
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Hi Linda,
I think that is great that you live in Borrego Springs but still get out and camp in the Park
Bob
Borregolinda wrote:
We're going camping at Fish Creek Tuesday, I know, we live here in Borrego but still like to camp in the Park! But plan to driving up to Sandstone and into so will report back when we return at end of week.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
11/21/2012
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Did our camping trip last week. Had a great, relaxing time. Stayed in the Fish Camp campground, only ones there until we left Friday. Nice views. Didn't drive any further into Split Mtn, was too nice just to sit and read and relax! But we are driving in this Saturday with some friends who are visiting from Holland. Love showing off our desert!
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
11/26/2012
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It did seem real quiet for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We camped with friends in Carrizo Gorge on Friday, then my wife and I camped near Mason Valley on Saturday and didn't see a soul
Very relaxing.
Borregolinda wrote:
Did our camping trip last week. Had a great, relaxing time. Stayed in the Fish Camp campground, only ones there until we left Friday. Nice views. Didn't drive any further into Split Mtn, was too nice just to sit and read and relax! But we are driving in this Saturday with some friends who are visiting from Holland. Love showing off our desert!
edited by surfponto on 11/26/2012
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2624
11/27/2012
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surfponto wrote:
then my wife and I camped near Mason Valley on Saturday and didn't see a soul
Very relaxing.
Nice pano Bob, did you guys camp out on the short spur rd to Cool Cyn or somewhere else?
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
11/27/2012
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I will have to send you a Google Earth shot
That sounds right though
Daren Sefcik wrote:
surfponto wrote:
then my wife and I camped near Mason Valley on Saturday and didn't see a soul
Very relaxing.
Nice pano Bob, did you guys camp out on the short spur rd to Cool Cyn or somewhere else?
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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