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Veke Posts: 9
2/11/2014
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How full does the park get during President's Weekend. I've been visiting Death Valley for 26 years and I think it's time to change it up and expand my knowledge of this great desert. Unfortunately DV becomes a zoo during this holiday and it discourages me from wanting to visit there so I was wondering what the impact is on AB. I have two boys 8 & 5 and would love to visit here. Any advice would be encouraged and very well appreciated.
Cos
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
2/11/2014
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Hi Cos and welcome to the forum.
In general I would say the further you get off-road into the remote areas the less people you are going to see. Most of the crowds will be in the areas that are easier to get to.
Do you have a 4-Wheel drive?
I tend to frequent the southern end of Anza Borrego since it tends to be a bit more quiet.
That being said an area like the Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves is guaranteed to be a busy.
Thinking of heading out myself but haven't decided where to camp yet.
Bob
Veke wrote:
How full does the park get during President's Weekend. I've been visiting Death Valley for 26 years and I think it's time to change it up and expand my knowledge of this great desert. Unfortunately DV becomes a zoo during this holiday and it discourages me from wanting to visit there so I was wondering what the impact is on AB. I have two boys 8 & 5 and would love to visit here. Any advice would be encouraged and very well appreciated.
Cos
edited by surfponto on 2/11/2014
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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Veke Posts: 9
2/11/2014
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Thank you for responding to my post. Since I know nothing of AB and have been trying to educate myself on AB by reading completed trips and such what would you recommend as a must see and it being somewhat remote? I do own a Chevy Silverado 4x4 crew cab truck. General areas as to being the quietest and kid friendly is what I'm after. Since I live in Cucamonga I would think that the best place to enter the park would be from the S86?
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Veke Posts: 9
2/11/2014
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Can you recommend a book on AB that would explain all the different camp sites, trails and places of interest? REI or Amazon that would carry? Thanks
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anutami Posts: 491
2/11/2014
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Veke wrote:
How full does the park get during President's Weekend. I've been visiting Death Valley for 26 years and I think it's time to change it up and expand my knowledge of this great desert. Unfortunately DV becomes a zoo during this holiday and it discourages me from wanting to visit there so I was wondering what the impact is on AB. I have two boys 8 & 5 and would love to visit here. Any advice would be encouraged and very well appreciated.
Cos
It depends on what kind of vehicle you have and if you are planning on car camping or backpacking. I assume if you visit Death Valley frequently you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle. If that is the case you can get to many, many places where you will not see anybody all weekend if you like. A really cool trip would be to drive around the calcite mine area and camp. There is some amazing slot canyons to hike, great for kids.
here is my trip report
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic261-coachwhip-canyon-and-palm-wash.aspx
Another amazing area is fish creek and a hike to Elephant knees (perfect hike for your boys). This spot can get somewhat busy but only on the road and most are jeepers driving into sandstone canyon. If you want to camp in the area Olla Wash is great and secluded.
Here is the elephant knees trip report
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic512-elephant-knees.aspx
and olla wash camping and hiking
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic694-the-mud-palisades--anicent-forest-of-fish-creek.aspx
You could also go to the southern end of the park and see very, very few people. If your boys are into railroads there are some amazing tunnels and Indian caves to find
Dos cabezas road trip and railroad tunnels
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic353-end-of-dos-cabezas-road.aspx
Indian Hill Trip Report
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic215-mortero-wash-indian-hill-dolmite-mine-jojob.aspx
Mortero Palms area is great too!
http://www.anzaborrego.net/anzaborrego/forum/topic232-mortero-palms.aspx
The problem with ABDSP is it is so Huge trying to figure out where you are going to explore is the biggest challenge I have never had to worry about any crowds 
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Veke Posts: 9
2/11/2014
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Thank you so very much. I'm overwhelmed with information. Over the years I've been able to establish relationships with a few DV wonderers and have been blessed with those relationships. My basic question is are any of the diehards on this forum open to meeting new families and creating new friendships? I'm into photography and enjoy hiking especially now that my boys get it. Just asking if there are any interested.
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ziphius Posts: 911
2/11/2014
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Veke wrote:
Thank you so very much. I'm overwhelmed with information. Over the years I've been able to establish relationships with a few DV wonderers and have been blessed with those relationships. My basic question is are any of the diehards on this forum open to meeting new families and creating new friendships? I'm into photography and enjoy hiking especially now that my boys get it. Just asking if there are any interested.
Welcome to the forum Veke. I was just about to recommend any of Nolan's trips over any guidebooks you could possibly purchase when I saw that he had beat me to it! Another good strategy is to stop by the AB visitor center in Borrego Springs and talk to some of the volunteers or rangers there. They are a great source for recommending trips, especially those involving kids. Several of the forum members have met up and camped / hiked or just plain run into each other by accident out in AB. I'm still looking forward to meeting some of the folks here. It's one of the friendliest forums around and a great source of information on the region. - Jim
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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anutami Posts: 491
2/11/2014
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Thinking of heading out myself but haven't decided where to camp yet.
Bob
Dido, if you drive by egg mountain you might see me up there 
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DHeuschele Posts: 87
2/11/2014
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If you want an easy backpack that is great for kids I recommend the wind caves. I took my son when he was 8 but I literally started him backpacking before he could walk. Now that he is 11 we are planning jmt and he does 20 miles/day easily.
The caves are cool but so is the view over the badlands. I prefer the view over the Fonts Point badlands view.
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/12/2014
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I agree that Nolan's trips with his kids are the best camp/ hike reference you will find. No matter where you go you will have a great trip. Also DHheuschele, do the JMT. It is a life changing experience.
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rockhopper Posts: 668
2/12/2014
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1. Heading in to the Visitors Center is a great idea. Tha place is fantastic. Movies playing, exhibits and GREAT folks.
2. DV and ABDSP have a lot in common. Geologically, both are pull apart basins. Both are very diversified and offer endless expeditions.
3. Spent alot of time in DV in the 1970's thru the 90's. Telescope peak, Hot springs, Salt flats, Volcanoes,Mines, Mines and tons of Mines,( That was our main adventure) Ghost towns, etc......Outstanding exposed geology.
Even more desolate in certian areas IMHO
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1364
2/12/2014
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Get there early Nolan,
I think it will be busy this weekend.
If I come thru that side I will look for you
Bob
Nolan (anutami) wrote:
Thinking of heading out myself but haven't decided where to camp yet.
Bob
Dido, if you drive by egg mountain you might see me up there
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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Veke Posts: 9
2/12/2014
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Thanks for all the information and responses to my post.
I'm unfamiliar with AB and am currently on the fence as to whether this is the right weekend to get familiar with AB. I would hate to show up and it be so crowded that my camping choices would be limited. Hope to run into a few of you guys sometime. Enjoy.
Cos
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
2/12/2014
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For books, Schad and Lindsay...are what I have.
Busy areas are easy to get to areas or close to off road areas (ocotillo wells). Fish Creek/Split Mountain is great but very busy on holidays, so is Blair Valley. Trying to compare DV to ABDSP is hard, it is apples vs oranges in so many ways, desert is probably it's only commonality. Not knowing what you want to do for a weekend it is hard to recommend a place, for general camping/hiking with family Blair Valley is good, for remote back country you could do Rockhouse Cyn or hike into Carrizo Gorge. If you stay away from the park visitor recommended areas you will probably be fine for crowds...but that depends on your idea of crowds....
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Veke Posts: 9
2/13/2014
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Advice well taken. I guess my first trip will be to knock out the easy stuff and see what AB is all about and be a tourist. So with that said this weekend will not be my maiden voyage by any means. I will be out in AB the weekend of Feb. 28th - Mar. 3rd and get familiar with the park. Can't wait. I think I might be visiting Corn Springs for the 2nd time since I didn't give myself any time to explore the area on my first visit. It's easy to have a plan B if the CG is full.
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Borregolinda Posts: 69
2/21/2014
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Veke wrote:
Advice well taken. I guess my first trip will be to knock out the easy stuff and see what AB is all about and be a tourist. So with that said this weekend will not be my maiden voyage by any means. I will be out in AB the weekend of Feb. 28th - Mar. 3rd and get familiar with the park. Can't wait. I think I might be visiting Corn Springs for the 2nd time since I didn't give myself any time to explore the area on my first visit. It's easy to have a plan B if the CG is full.
Yeah, it was pretty busy out here last weekend! I'm lucky...live in Borrego Springs full time so get to explore anytime! The visitor center is the best place to start as others have recommended. A must see in my book is Fonts Pt. Gives you a beautiful view of the Badlands. Split Mountain is another great place. But no matter where you go I'm sure will enjoy our beautiful desert! Please post a report after your trip!
edited by Borregolinda on 2/21/2014
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
2/22/2014
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Borregolinda wrote:
A must see in my book is Fonts Pt. Gives you a beautiful view of the Badlands. I have still never been there...just goes to show how vast of an area the park is..it is on my list though..soon!!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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DHeuschele Posts: 87
2/23/2014
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dsefcik wrote:
Borregolinda wrote:
A must see in my book is Fonts Pt. Gives you a beautiful view of the Badlands. I have still never been there...just goes to show how vast of an area the park is..it is on my list though..soon!!
I am very surprised. It is somewhere I bring all the newbies that I bring out for a day. It is a good view (but I like the Badlands from wind caves better) and very easy to get to.
1 borrego canyon
2 flowers along Henderson canyon in season
3 fonts point
4 mud caves arroyo tapiada
5 marshal south cabin
5 pictograph site
- 1 good newbie day
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