Sat Nov 19 - Anza Borrego - Fish Creek & Sandstone Canyon

[FrankB]

SAVE THE DATE - It's getting to be that time of year again.  I'll post up more details later if there appears to be interest (or you can look at the thread for last year), but I'm thinking of going out to Fish Creek and Sandstone Canyon on Saturday, 19 November.  This would be the 6th year in a row we've done this.  For those who are new here, we take a leisurely drive up Fish Creek, find a nice lunch spot in Sandstone Canyon, and enjoy fresh apple pie from the Julian Pie Company along with lunch.

It's about 14 miles of mostly sandy wash to the lunch spot, and about the same distance back, but we can detour through Loop Wash for a little variety (and a few small rocky patches) on the way out. This route is generally stock friendly, but I have not been out there since last spring, so can't say for sure. 4WD is highly recommended, especially for Loop Wash, and especially since we don't know the conditons right now. (Note that you don't have to do Loop Wash.)

Anyone interested in joining in?

In case anyone is wondering why this post sounds quite different from previous years - I'm taking a little different approach from now on.  I'll post up when and where I plan to go, and anyone who wants to tag along is welcome to join me.

Edit 11/4 to add details:


Fish Creek and Sandstone Canyon - Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Saturday, November 19th, 2011

Meet Time / Spot: 10:00AM at the Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
200 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

It's about 28 miles from the Visitor Center to the trail head at the end of Split Mountain Road. I plan to leave the Visitor Center no later than 10:30AM.

Fish Creek is a little over 12 miles of mostly flat sandy wash, with lots of interesting geology along the way. Sandstone Canyon used to be another 2+ miles, very narrow and twisty in places, with high rock walls. Sandstone Canyon was blocked partway up by a large rock fall during the earthquake on Easter Sunday 2010, so we won’t be able to drive as much of it as we have in the past. Depending on where we can park, we should be able to walk some of the more spectacular portions of it. I have not been out there since Spring, but I've heard that we might be able to drive a little further than we could last year.  We'll come back out the same way, with maybe an optional detour through slightly rockier Loop Wash; total off-road miles should be about 25.

This trail should be stock friendly, but 4WD is strongly recommended due to soft sand and some rocks if we take Loop Wash (optional, we don’t all have to do that), and so you don’t dig holes in the trail. We’ll be driving at a leisurely pace but you’ll be more comfortable with tires aired down, so a way to air back up is advised. We'll find a shady spot for lunch, and I’ll be stopping in Santa Ysabel on the way out there to pick up a few fresh apple pies for everyone to share.  We’ll find a place to take a little hike after lunch. Plan for all day.

For anyone who wants to camp, there are several options. The Fish Creek Primitive Camp is located 1.4 miles up Fish Creek from the start of the trail (which is at the end of Split Mountain Road 8 miles south of Ocotillo Wells). There is a vault toilet there, and marked spaces, but little else. I think they have fire rings. We'll pass right by there in both directions; if anyone wants to camp Friday night let me know in advance so we can meet up there in the morning as we pass by.  There are also many spots in Fish Creek that would be good, if they are not already taken. This is traditionally a very busy weekend out there. You can camp almost anywhere out there, just not right on a trail. Note that ground fires are not allowed in Anza Borrego DSP, you will need a metal container if you want an open fire.

If anyone coming from the San Diego area wants to caravan out there let me know in advance, and we can meet near my house (at the Chevron station east of I-15 off Scripps Poway Parkway at the intersection with Pomerado Road) ready to roll at 8:00AM. I'm allowing enough time for a stop at the Julian Pie Company bakery in Santa Ysabel to pick up some fresh apple pie to go with lunch. Depending on where you’re coming from, alternate caravan meet spots along the way could be Ramona and Santa Ysabel.

References:
Wells: Guide to So. Calif. Backroads & 4WD Trails - #55, pp 198-199
Huegel: California Desert Byways - #51, pp. 156-157
Massey: Backcountry Adventures So. Calif. - South Coast #30, pp. 383-385

(Note that all of the guidebook descriptions were written before the Easter 2010 earthquake, and thus describe the drivable portion of Sandstone Canyon as longer than it now is.)

Communication:

Primary - FRS Channel 11, sub-code 24
CB Channel 24

Please post any comments, suggestions or questions, and let us know if you’re coming (need to know how many pies to get).

My cell phone is six-one-nine-855-zero-eight-three-six.

Thanks – Frank B.

If anyone with 2WD is planning to attend, please call me and we can talk about what you can expect, and what we would expect from you.

If you're new to the club, be sure to read the Xcursion Guidelines. There is also quite a bit of information in threads for this same run from previous years.

Reminder: Everyone is responsible for their own safety and well-being. Be prepared, and please act responsibly.

 

[guywithpups]

I've missed the last few, going to try making this one...haven't had the pleasure of a Julian pie yet and would like to change that.   

[strikedistance]

Im going to the San Diego zoo that day with my mammology class but will be doing a Borrego trip the following weekend. Nov. 24-25th. I emailed you about it. Im planning on hiking palm canyon and doing calcite mine trail and coyote canyon.
Not to piggyback this post but that is an option as well.

[GhostX]

This is a great run, and I would encourage anyone new (or seasoned) to the club to attend.

I am preparing a Moab run for that week, so will have to miss this one...but hopefully another opportunity in early 2012?

And, the Julian pies are a great trail side bonus!

Sat Nov 19 - Anza Borrego - Fish Creek & Sandstone Canyon

[superslidestyle]

I'm going to try and make this one.  Been wanting to go for the last two years.

[IronAndroidX]

Finally something I might be able to attend hah. Just gotta get my CB and rear recovery points set up and I'll be good to go.

[superslidestyle]

Darn, seems I might not be able tn make this trip either.  My younger brother in Arizona is having a baby shower that weekend.  Might end up hitting the trails out there.

[Pro-4X]

I plan on going to this. I have only been out with the club one time before in 2003 in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (can't remember now) with my old 2002 Xterra. I wanted to know what air compressor you would recommend? My mistake, I just read the guidelines and saw the mention of a good air compressor at Costco. Is there a model number for that specific one? I have my FRS radios ready to go, recovery points etc...

[FrankB]

I plan on going to this. I have only been out with the club one time before in 2003 in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (can't remember now) with my old 2002 Xterra. I wanted to know what air compressor you would recommend? My mistake, I just read the guidelines and saw the mention of a good air compressor at Costco. Is there a model number for that specific one? I have my FRS radios ready to go, recovery points etc...

The last few times I've been at Costco I have not seen any compressors. The one that they had (a long time ago now) was the same one that a lot of the other stores sold for around $50-$60. For the money it's not bad. I forget the name, but I think it was available under several different brands. Try Off Road Warehouse or that sort of store, or even some of the auto parts stores.

There are lots of options and prices to choose from. One good rule of thumb with compressors is - if it plugs into the lighter socket it will probably burn out or worse. You want one that clamps to the battery terminals.

[guywithpups]

This is the one lots of folks use http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV50-SuperFlow-Hi-Compressor/dp/B000BM8RT8  -- you can find it sold under different names and at different stores.  I've had mine for a few years now (ordered it off Amazon, ironically) and its still going strong.

[Blackx]

I have that same one and it's going strong after almost 5 years of use.  I ended up replacing the wire that feeds from the clamps to the compressor because it tended to fray over time at the attachment point and short out.   At that time I took advantage of making it longer and it's now good as new.

[IronAndroidX]

I understand that the trip is planned for "all day", but just curious what time have u guys headed back in the years previous? just trying to see if I need to cancel my plans for later that nite. Any input is greatly appreciated

[FrankB]

I understand that the trip is planned for "all day", but just curious what time have u guys headed back in the years previous? just trying to see if I need to cancel my plans for later that nite. Any input is greatly appreciated

In the past we've generally made it back to the pavement by dusk, or a bit earlier. Maybe by 4:30 or so? By "the pavement" I'm referring to the end of Split Mountain Road, 8 miles or so south of Hwy 78 at Ocotillo Wells. I'm not sure where you live, but as a guideline, I can generally be back in San Diego (near Poway) in a little under 2 hours from that spot without rushing.

Our traditional lunch spot, which is more or less the turn-around spot as well these days, is about 14.5 miles from the pavement. It's generally a pretty easy drive, and if you don't stop much, and stay in Fish Creek (instead of the Loop Wash detour) you can cover that in a relatively short amount of time. (Note: some people really like to haul a$$ through Fish Creek, but keep in mind that weekend is the one that the State Park Rangers always seem to be out there in a large group doing some sort of training - at least that's what I've seen the last 3 or 4 years. Plus, it's pretty damn inconsiderate to dust up someone's camp as you fly past. Just something to think about.)

Most of these times and places make a lot more sense once you've looked at this area on a map. You could leave the lunch spot early - it's tough to get lost out there, although I can introduce to some people who have. We'll be traveling out the same way we go in.

[GhostX]

I plan on going to this. I have only been out with the club one time before in 2003 in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (can't remember now) with my old 2002 Xterra. I wanted to know what air compressor you would recommend? My mistake, I just read the guidelines and saw the mention of a good air compressor at Costco. Is there a model number for that specific one? I have my FRS radios ready to go, recovery points etc...

Vair compressors are tough to beat, and this is one item you don't want to "conk out" once you need to air up before hitting the pavement.

Off Road Warehouse has a great selection of air compressors to check out, and most are specific to the tire size they are made to inflate along with approximate timing.  I currently have the Vair 90, which is suitable (very few bells and whistles, just a gauge) and uses the direct battery clamp connection. 

I agree with Frank B., that all of the compressors with a 12V plug in to the cabin of your X is really not the quality you would want to count on while out on the trail. 

Good luck, and hopefully you can make this run, it is a lot of fun and very scenic.

[strikedistance]

Looks like I am going to go straight from the SD Zoo to Borrego and Camp over. I cant stay away from the desert. Looks like I will meet you guys on the trail like last year. Frank, if you could pick me up a Caramel Dutch Apple that would be amazing. Money will be in your pocket when I arrive. Ill call you when Im leaving San Diego.