all messages by user

Schad's book suggests (if I remember correctly) spending the night at Villager and day hiking to Rabbit. Agree with Budford for the views.

I’ve stashed water dozens of times in deserts and have yet to have animals noticeably mess with the water. This includes in the fragile gallon jugs.

The camp location I use is at the descent just prior to villager. Next day is short hop to villager, then the roller coaster to Rabbit and then return to camp, pack, and descend. I do this to minimize carrying the camp gear, carried camp gear is never carried down to subsequently be carried up, it is a good campsite location, it starts day 2 with a descent. Note I usually start late on day 1. Day 2 is slightly long, but all uphill is without the backpack.

Good luck

I would do DHeuschle's plan. If you absolutely want to do a sun rise on top of Rabbit, do a headlamp start under the stars or moon light closer to the summit. I day hiked Rabbit from the Barton canyon route on the East side with a climbing buddy. One quart of water each in the winter.

Rain over Villager/ Rabbit yesterday 3-23-2021

edited by rockhopper on 3/24/2021

The longer you carry your overnight gear and water, the longer you can delay the decision about where to camp or cache it for later. Don't carry it down anything you don't want to haul it back up

I am always surprised at the different amounts of water people go through for the same hike. Hiking together at the same time and pace some people need way more or way less water than others. I could believe 1qt on the right day.

Everyone singing Chariot praises inspired me to visit on Sunday. The hike felt a lot like Roost, drop down, go up, drop down, go up. I took the firebreak both ways, pretty open. The small register is almost full, could use a new one the next time someone visits. Loved the views into Mason Valley and the weather was perfect. On the way back, I took a short side trip to Julian Ridge Benchmark. Surprised to find a register in cans there.





Chariot from Julian Ridge Benchmark

quick video of siphoning water at Hidden Spring
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UxLnfsf937nROnSDV1UHt7jqWWWbuWOd/view?usp=sharing

Rocko1 wrote:

Very nice. All I saw there was thick mud. Is this further up the area or did the grass get cut?

If you walk 20-30' up cyn from the main hole in the ground there is a bunch of grass and there is a small water hole that had some water in it.

rockhopper wrote:

I would do DHeuschle's plan. If you absolutely want to do a sun rise on top of Rabbit, do a headlamp start under the stars or moon light closer to the summit. I day hiked Rabbit from the Barton canyon route on the East side with a climbing buddy. One quart of water each in the winter.

There are two bumps between Villager and Rabbit

Rocko1 wrote:

tekewin wrote:

rockhopper wrote:

I would do DHeuschle's plan. If you absolutely want to do a sun rise on top of Rabbit, do a headlamp start under the stars or moon light closer to the summit. I day hiked Rabbit from the Barton canyon route on the East side with a climbing buddy. One quart of water each in the winter.

There are two bumps between Villager and Rabbit

Would there be a few spots in this section for tents?

Rocko1,

Yes there are flat spots along the ridge route. This one is alongside the trail below Villager. I day hiked Villager and Rabbit but this is where I would camp if backpacking Rabbit. This spot comes with a kitchen with a view. Mile high peak beyond. Happy trails to you.


edited by rockhopper on 4/9/2021

Impressive hike and impressive elevation gain! In all my years of hiking I've never paid much attention to the question of how much elevation gain is reasonable for me to attempt in a day. Now I'm starting to pay attention out of necessity. When we did Granite, that was reasonable for me. This one wouldn't be.

I went by the trailhead about 5:30 or so saturday morning on my way out to the desert and saw multiple groups heading out or packing up. I was not on the Villager/Rabbit ridgeline.

9L of water That is why I dayhike stuff like this.

Brian wrote:

Is the beginning of your route the same trail that would be used for the Barton Canyon approach to Rabbit?

Yes, I parked my car almost in the same spot for the Rabbit summit day hike. We were able to get a little closer due to an unlocked gate at the time. Just make sure you find the old Native American trail from the ancient shore line towards Barton canyon. It will save a lot of time and effort.

Rocko1 Yup, that looks like it. No gpx on the approach trail but you can see it pretty good on G. Earth. btw happy Earth Day!

Looks like it was a good trip, sunrise on the rosa's is the best ever with the salton sea., highly recommended..!

@Rocko1, @brian
My buddies and are thinking of a 10-15 mile overnight backpack in this area this weekend. Any suggestions where to go? Before I read this and saw your video, I was thinking of hiking through Lower Willows to Middle Willows from the 3rd crossing? Is there another way to MW? Water along the way? Best place to camp? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks Rocko1 and Brian,

I had typed a whole trip report here but got an error when submitting and lost it all.

Basically did this trip:
https://borregohiking.com/hiking/2017_lower_willows_salvador_canyon_middle_willows.html

But took Rocko1's advice and bypassed the LW on the jeep road then headed northeast to the was to MW.
There were markers along the wash that seemed to mark a trail to MW. One set of markers veered off toward Salvador Canyon.
Too hot to camp by the rock so stayed near the willows.
Steep downhill into Salvador Canyon but doable.
Then followed the road back to LW.

Hike down to Salvador Canyon


Leaving MW

edited by Scallopdiver on 5/26/2021

Rocko1 wrote:

Nice. How was the water at middle willows?

I called the ranger before the trip and she hadn't been there since February. She couldn't confirm there would be water. Is was 4 to 12 inches when hiking through it. Plenty to filter for the hike out.

Looking forward to exploring the area more in the Fall.

-scallopdiver (Brian)

I loved the first sunrise photo, but the ones on Rabbit were amazing! Some of the best I've ever seen.


Great job getting up there and back safely. Rabbit is mighty.

Dawns is still on my list, too, but it might be too hot already.

This fire was lit by the smuggler because they would not have made it. We had a fire in the canyon in 2008 that was lit to escape from the border patrol. It's funny that the cause is still undetermined for both fires. Politicly correct?

People should carry a hiking umbrella on *shadeless* El Cajon Mountain in warm weather. Your head + torso will be 10 - 15 degrees cooler. Carrying one is worth it if you get injured or just to keep you cooler, with a side benefit of it making you pay more attention to your footwork. My qualifications for pontification? 100 + round-trips on the mountain, including 90 degree plus days, without incident. Rangers tell me they do about a rescue a week up there, sometimes involving an airlift, which I've aided with once.

A few years back I showed up in McCain for a mid summer overnight trip with Daren while wearing all white including a big floppy hat. As I recall, the ensemble went over like a lead mylar as did prior discussions about a reflective hiking umbrella. Never got one but still think it would be a good idea in low wind open terrain. Don't forget the SPF part. Have already had my share of skin cancers removed and total body coverage with something, sunscreen or clothing, is a good idea.

Nice pic rocko1...gonna heat up again this week out there.

Not west but pretty close...Thing Valley Rd / Morris Ranch Rd / Kitchen Creek / Cibbets area, this is the Descanso district.

You will need to obtain a free permit online from the forest service to be legal.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/cleveland/recreation/camping-cabins

You could hike anywhere during the day and camp in the CNF.

--

Rocko1 wrote:

dsefcik wrote:

Not west but pretty close...Thing Valley Rd / Morris Ranch Rd / Kitchen Creek / Cibbets area, this is the Descanso district.

You will need to obtain a free permit online from the forest service to be legal.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/cleveland/recreation/camping-cabins

You could hike anywhere during the day and camp in the CNF.

--

Thanks. I will check that area out. I went out Sat. from Pedro Fages monument to Middle Peak via the Ca riding and hiking trail. One thing is whatever satellite photos are currently on GE, it's way more choked now in the hills just south of the monument . I planned on just walking up some drainages to explore the hills but there was too much growth. Have to come back with pants. I did go up a dry fall and may have found a quasi-seasonal seep though-very wet mud near the top and lots of green-with plenty of game trails converging there.

Ditto on the pants. I only wear shorts above 10,000 feet and below 1000 feet in the desert when traveling cross country. Too many battle scars
Cheers

Rocko1 wrote:

Great trip report Brian. I'd really like to get back out there. How well were the springs flowing? Also, did you hear any strange voices at the Cottonwood camp?-lol.

Even though I didn't include pics of it, my first night was at Stifferino. It was a slow but constant trickle and took me a half hour to full 2 1.5 liter bottles. So I guess 6 liters/hour. The one closer to Old Santa Rosa looked about the same as last year. It would work in a pinch but you'd need something to filter the algae. The spring by the cottonwoods was flowing well.

I didn't hear any voices at the cottonwoods (and I was listening for them!). There were tons of mountain lion tracks going past, around and through the campsite, so that had me feeling hyper-vigilant.

What Rocko1 said is exactly correct. Many desert trails are thousands of years old and still exist in areas of low erosion.

Been interested in the trails to and from the Indian hill area. Some I figure were the super highways. Some just to and from food gathering areas. This one I think goes over or around the Coyotes. Havent seen any track on the backside of the mountain yet. But for sure above the northside badlands of the Carrizo creek . South Mesa area there's another long one I found. Perhaps part of this highway. West of the Indian hill, on the west side of Moan, theres a trail cutting across the hill side and going up. Lost it at the top but on the way down it passes a few well defined roasting pits.Perhaps part of one of the highways.

Rocko1 wrote:

Britain wrote:

Been interested in the trails to and from the Indian hill area. Some I figure were the super highways. Some just to and from food gathering areas. This one I think goes over or around the Coyotes. Havent seen any track on the backside of the mountain yet. But for sure above the northside badlands of the Carrizo creek . South Mesa area there's another long one I found. Perhaps part of this highway. West of the Indian hill, on the west side of Moan, theres a trail cutting across the hill side and going up. Lost it at the top but on the way down it passes a few well defined roasting pits.Perhaps part of one of the highways.

Would be great to have a map of these ancient trails in the park. They are really fascinating.

I agree it would be a good thing to have a map of all the old trails. I know some people on this board have a knowledge of a lot of them. Some of the really old maps show routes that still exist on the ground but have been removed from newer maps. I am always surprised where I find remnants of old trails. Most recently was in the Split Mountain area.

@rockhopper, that is a great picture

Anyone know anything about this:


Found on a trip that started in Rockhouse and went up into the Santa Rosa range. Google turned up nothing for me.

Brian wrote:

Buford wrote:

Very close to Toro. Roughly ESE of the high point.

Wow, that's quite an undertaking to get to that area from Rockhouse. I've explored Alta Seca Bench from the top, but never gone up any of the ridges from the bottom. Maybe soon though!

My idea of a fun hike is probably different than most. Toro Peak is only ~6 round trip from the upper rockhouses and Nicholias Spring.

More random shots

Only 6m from there huh? Interesting. Can you share which route?

Head up the ridge from the cottonwoods. When you hit the Santa Rosa crest, follow that to Toro. Nothing technical and navigational wise easy enough. I can add a map later but it is a simple route. Works out to ~3 miles each way. Not easy.
edited by Buford on 2/1/2022

Thanks for organizing this trip, Rocko1. My legs are still feeling it today. Good workout and a fun trip.

Nice trip. Did same route to summit a couple years ago and descended Smuggler's. Watching the shadow of Whale Peak stretch eastward towards sunset is pretty amazing.

Great pics. The Marshall South cabin was one of my early trips when I started going to Anza Borrego regularly. Maybe 12 years ago now? I haven't been back since. I wonder how much it's deteriorated in the last decade.

Great area....get a scanner or radio with 118.xxx vhf and you can listen in realtime to the pilots, lucki one (rnav) flight paths. I don't think I have eaten that much (bbq) meat in the last 20 years...wow....

I tried to find quake bm also but it looked like it was stolen, did you find it? what a great area, "earthquake valley" and the bm's are named shake and quake....

About 20 years I met Rider South up on Ghost Mountain during a speech he gave to the San Diego Historical society. I just happened to be there that day!

I think you are going to need a bigger BBQ

Looks like a fun trip. The Yaquitepec site is deteriorating faster and faster.

I can't believe it only got down to 46F Saturday night. I drove through Shelter Valley and Scissors Crossing Sunday morning and it was 28F and that was after sunrise.

Both Shake and Quake BMs were there in March 2021.

Nice trip and pics. Looks like the metal sign is holding up better than the previous wooden one. A route up Whale I kinda enjoyed started at Pinyon Wash, crossed Harper Flat and ascended a drainage out of Pinyon Canyon to the top. The only overnight I've ever done was up Smuggler and then at the top of the canyon making a turn south and following the 4600-4800 contours to a couple small meadows and then around to the summit.

Schad: "Resist the temptation to continue toward Little Blair Valley by going north of peak 3777---you won't save time this way."

Rocko1: Nah, let's do it!

Nice TR. Thanks.
edited by tommy750 on 2/16/2022

Nice work you guys..!! Wish I could have joined you. From the routes I have taken on different spines, that was the easy one..!

I checked out the Toro webcam but the view toward Rockhouse that I really wanted to see looked like the lens got covered with snow.

Here's yesterday's satellite photos of Whale, Granite and the Santa Rosas. Looks like a good dusting on all of them.

Whale and Granite by tomteske, on Flickr

SANTA ROSAS by tomteske, on Flickr

Looks fun....gonna need to start posting also how much $$ in gas spent to drive there and back...

I love that first pic. But the clear skies make me think it was cold AF.

Great expedition Rocko1. Sad about the Pinyons. I have some time lapse photos about 30 years apart in Black Rabbit valley showing the same thing. The deserts are moving North about a mile per year in recent times.
The engine looks like a 4 banger with 2 missing rods. Too much iron to be a plane in my opinion. Someone may chime in to identify. I am curious. How far up the mountain? Can you post a trail route? Nice find!

That is a killer sunset and a cool trip.

My guess is the wreckage is mining gear. Hard to tell from the pictures. I have found the engine of the plane wreck near Ghost Mountain. I’ll see if I can dig up the story on it.

It’s been depressing watching all the pinyons die off. I found a healthy bunch of pinyons this weekend and it was good to see.

There was a military jet that crashed into the hillside west of ghost mtn and my understanding is that the military did not want it found or recovered by civilians (or at least parts of it) so they dragged much of down the hillside and buried it into the sandy washes of Blair Valley. You can find 2 locations with half buried engine and wing parts. Up on the hillside and across the valley floor there are still many pieces scattered around you can find. Your pictures show a lot of iron so I also would suspect not airplane parts. Just MHO.

Good job on Coyote! My one hike to Coyote was the windiest I've ever experienced anywhere. Knocked me over a couple of times. It was the only time I seriously considered turning back because of wind.

I want to go back and finish the route from Mortero Palms some time. I've been to the point where there's a dry fall overlooking the trestle but I was afraid to downclimb it. But I know that groups of all skill levels have done it, so it must not be that hard. I would have felt better if I was with someone who had done it before and knew the best approach.

At the end of the hike, I swore I would never do this kind of thing again. The next day, looking through the photos, I was thinking I would totally do something like this again. 10 years ago, it would not have been such a stretch for me, but that was 10 years ago, ha.
edited by tekewin on 4/1/2022

Outstanding trip report. That is the toughest hike in Borrego. We have done the trip both as a day hike and an overnight.
The day hike we camped the night before at the trailhead on Rockhouse road. We left before sunrise and like you came back in the dark. The overnight we spent the night in the flats before the final ascent to Dawns. We also spent the night on Dawns when we traversed the Santa Rosas from Toro to Villager.
I like the overnight version to Dawns. Pack super light, no stove etc because it is all water weight.
Thanks for posting

Yeah, you really packed a lot of exploration into one day. You really need to start checking out the other side (Harper and Hapaha flats).

Cool trip! Hey, I really like the terrain in Smuggler Canyon. Looks like a lot of fun.

That native shelter boulder looks unusual. I wonder if the boulder erosion is completely natural or if it was shaped.


I can't imagine hauling a tent around and camping on a whim. I can appreciate the true nomad spirit I seem to lack

Rocko1 wrote:

Yes, that is the plan. Access is an issue as it's tougher/maybe impossible to get my vehicle to get to that side. I'd like to check out the Fish Creek drainage and east of that.

Here's the starting point I would suggest: 33°04'41"N 116°17'16"W
Your Rav4 could easily make it there. The road is sandy but not rocky. From there I've done a dayhike to Split Rock in Hapaha flat, so I know it easily gets you into the area you're looking at.

Rocko1 wrote:

Oh nice. The furthest I have gone up there is 33.111949, -116.315743.

Do you think it's any worse than that sandy section of Rockhouse Canyon Rd?

It's been a while since I've driven that road, but I did it quite a few times before my car had skid plates or A/T tires and I never remember scraping in the sand. So I'm going to say slightly better than Rockhouse for sand and much less rocks. If you've driven to the end of Nolina it's similar. One thing about these alluvial fans is you're going uphill the whole time on the way in, so if you can make it in, you can make it out.

Rocko1

Looks like you are finding more of the Vallecitos mountains and Whale peak areas secrets. Those rock shelters and Morteros are a neat find. The water source must have been nearby. According to Lester Reeds book, the indigenous peoples knew the locations of springs that now one else knew about. They filled them in when "strangers" were nearing their water source. Only been up Whale peak one time. In the snow. Great trip report.