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deborah Posts: 115
11/27/2019
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The rain predicted for this week has me thinking about good places to go in Anza Borrego on rainy days. My first thoughts... Obviously avoid areas prone to flash floods. If I do drive off pavement, something tame, more gravel maybe and not so much mud. The goal isn't to test my vehicle recovery skills.  And maybe the same goes for going on foot. Hiking in the rain can be really nice, but if the ground gets too muddy it can be a chore.
What do you all think? Are there places that you like to go on rainy days?
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Scooter Posts: 114
11/27/2019
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deborah wrote:
The rain predicted for this week has me thinking about good places to go in Anza Borrego on rainy days. My first thoughts... Obviously avoid areas prone to flash floods. If I do drive off pavement, something tame, more gravel maybe and not so much mud. The goal isn't to test my vehicle recovery skills. And maybe the same goes for going on foot. Hiking in the rain can be really nice, but if the ground gets too muddy it can be a chore.
What do you all think? Are there places that you like to go on rainy days?
How about Maidenhair Falls. A lot of decomposed granite soil maybe camp in Borrego Palm campground
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deborah Posts: 115
11/27/2019
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Oh I like that idea. I've been up and down the CRHT a lot for training and such, but I've never actually been to Maidenhair Falls. I've always kind of shied away from it because it usually seems so busy (well, busy for Anza Borrego...). But maybe on a rainy day it would be pretty quiet. Thanks for the suggestion!
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Buford Posts: 456
11/27/2019
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Sawtooth and Redtop. Indianhead via Henderson canyon. Those are all possible in pouring rain.
In all seriousness, I would stay out of Coyote Canyon, Fish Creek, Calcite mine road, Arroyo Seco Diablo or Tapiado. Too much potential flowing water, mud or clay. Not good for vehicles or hiking or both.
The driving route into Indian Gorge is fine in rain. Hiking into Inner Pasture via the easy canyon near Stage BM should be good.
Maidenhair is actually a good suggestion. I remember doing it immediately after a rain years ago. The stream started coming out of the ground before our eyes which was cool.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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deborah Posts: 115
11/27/2019
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Buford wrote:
Sawtooth and Redtop. Indianhead via Henderson canyon. Those are all possible in pouring rain.
In all seriousness, I would stay out of Coyote Canyon, Fish Creek, Calcite mine road, Arroyo Seco Diablo or Tapiado. Too much potential flowing water, mud or clay. Not good for vehicles or hiking or both.
The driving route into Indian Gorge is fine in rain. Hiking into Inner Pasture via the easy canyon near Stage BM should be good.
Maidenhair is actually a good suggestion. I remember doing it immediately after a rain years ago. The stream started coming out of the ground before our eyes which was cool.
Let's see, Sawtooth, Red Top, and Indianhead Peak in the rain. Maybe throw in Rabbit Peak too just for funsies. 
And yes, the areas you mentioned sound like good places to avoid in the rain. I really like the Palo Verde Wash / Vista del Malpais area for mellow days, but rain could make it tricky... But Inner Pasture is another place I haven't been to yet.
Thanks for the input!
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ziphius Posts: 911
11/28/2019
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Inner Pasture is always a nice place and the walking investment usually means you have it to yourself. Red Top is no rainy day stroll and my perspective comes from having done El Cajon Mountain 103 times.
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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Buford Posts: 456
11/28/2019
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I’ve actually done all the ones I joked about in the rain and hail. Not recommended
Rain for hiking is ok in some circumstances. Coarse granite and no mud or clay help, hence Indian Gorge or Inner Pasture recommendations.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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deborah Posts: 115
11/28/2019
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ziphius wrote:
Inner Pasture is always a nice place and the walking investment usually means you have it to yourself. Red Top is no rainy day stroll and my perspective comes from having done El Cajon Mountain 103 times.
Inner Pasture is now on my list. So many places to see...
El Cajon Mountain 103 times! Nice!!
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deborah Posts: 115
11/28/2019
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Buford wrote:
I’ve actually done all the ones I joked about in the rain and hail. Not recommended
Rain for hiking is ok in some circumstances. Coarse granite and no mud or clay help, hence Indian Gorge or Inner Pasture recommendations.
Sounds like quite the adventures, especially being out in hail. It's no fun getting pelted when there's no place to take cover.
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deborah Posts: 115
11/28/2019
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So, I did get out today. I went up Alcoholic Pass and then headed towards Coyote Mountain. The rain was steady for a few hours, then the winds picked up, visibility dropped, and it started raining harder. I decided to turn around before the summit. My toes were getting cold, and I had no real reason to make it a suffer-fest. After the heaviest part of the rain and wind had passed, I warmed up a bit and had a nice walk back. The Santa Rosas and Toro Peak had some snow! They were hidden most of the day by low clouds, but I got a peek at them for a few minutes. I don't know how long the snow might last, but it was pretty cool to see.
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tekewin Posts: 368
11/29/2019
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Kinda late, but I don't have any suggestions for rainy days other than wait until it stops. I like getting wet as much as a bobcat. The rain hikes I've done were not really planned, just took a chance and the weather did not cooperate. I would avoid gullys and canyons and places your vehicle might get stick.
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2622
11/29/2019
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meh....I don't like hiking in the rain, I stay home....
@Buford....really? RedTop / Indianhead / Sawtooth? 
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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Buford Posts: 456
11/29/2019
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Two different trips.
I find the weather forecast for the mountain desert peaks unreliable sometimes. For Indianhead and Sawtooth/Redtop we lost. Other times the forecast has been rain or snow and the storm breaks over the mountains and misses the desert peaks. These have been some of the best and most memorable trips.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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rockhopper Posts: 668
11/29/2019
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Back in the day before weather forecasting was as good as it is now, we got caught in rain, mud, hail, lighting,and snow. I avoid bad weather hiking if at all possible. Now, hiking right after a storm passes through. Sign me up!
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deborah Posts: 115
12/2/2019
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tekewin wrote:
Kinda late, but I don't have any suggestions for rainy days other than wait until it stops. I like getting wet as much as a bobcat. The rain hikes I've done were not really planned, just took a chance and the weather did not cooperate. I would avoid gullys and canyons and places your vehicle might get stick.
Oh it's not too late. And I like that expression, "as much as a bobcat". I have a similar feeling about being cold. I like the rain, but if it gets cold too then I'm heading for cover as quickly as possible.
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deborah Posts: 115
12/2/2019
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rockhopper wrote:
Back in the day before weather forecasting was as good as it is now, we got caught in rain, mud, hail, lighting,and snow. I avoid bad weather hiking if at all possible. Now, hiking right after a storm passes through. Sign me up!
Yes, and I guess it feels different getting caught in "weather" in Anza Borrego versus other places like the Eastern Sierras. It seems a bit tamer, maybe.
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deborah Posts: 115
12/2/2019
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A few pictures from the weekend. I apologize for the poor photo quality. I was just so fascinated by snow in the desert.
From the ridge above Alcoholic Pass, looking across the north end of Clark Lake at the Santa Rosas.
Pinyon Ridge above Old Culp Valley road.
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+2
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Scooter Posts: 114
12/2/2019
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Great pictures thanks for posting. Rain and snow really changes the desert landscape.
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Rocko1 Posts: 597
12/3/2019
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Awesome pics! Hoping to get out there this week.
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Buford Posts: 456
12/3/2019
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Desert snow is always awesome. Thanks for the pics.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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Buford Posts: 456
12/3/2019
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Desert snow is always awesome. Thanks for the pics.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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+1
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Britain Posts: 602
12/8/2019
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Yup dont like hiking in the rain. But the day after is perfect! Winter rains in the desert are usually more on the mild side.
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Cant drive 55
Britain
http://icorva.com
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DHeuschele Posts: 87
12/29/2019
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deborah wrote:
ziphius wrote:
Inner Pasture is always a nice place and the walking investment usually means you have it to yourself. Red Top is no rainy day stroll and my perspective comes from having done El Cajon Mountain 103 times.
Inner Pasture is now on my list. So many places to see...
El Cajon Mountain 103 times! Nice!!
El Cajon Mtn is my least favorite hike in Afoot and Afield. To each their own.
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