Anza Borrego (Buttes Pass Area) - Saturday April 30, 2011

[FrankB]

Chris Fleury is in So Cal for a couple of weeks, so we’re giving him a chance to finally get out to Anza Borrego. There should still be some wildflowers in bloom, and lots of varied scenery on this one. Plan for all day, with lunch somewhere on the trail. Bring a chair and whatever you want to eat. I may pick up an apple pie to share as I pass through Santa Ysabel on the way out. Bring lots of water, it could be warm.

I will be making this a day trip, but there are lots of nice camping spots in the area if anyone wants to camp.


Date:  Saturday 30 April

Time:  10:00AM

Meet Spot:  The start (southern end) of unpaved Buttes Pass Road on the north side of Hwy 78.  The start of Buttes Pass Road is about 1.5 miles east of the intersection of Borrego Springs Road and Hwy 78.  This is on the way to Ocotillo Wells when traveling east on Hwy 78, and is 5.2 miles west of (i.e. before you get to) Split Mountain Road.  It is clearly marked on all paper maps.  It is very near mile marker 87.  There are no structures of any type there, just open desert.  The sign for Buttes Pass Road is low to the ground, very small and very easy to miss.  It will be on your left if you are traveling east on Hwy 78.  There is also a little spot to turn around on the left just past it that you can use if you see the sign for Buttes Pass but can't stop in time. 


Trails:  We’ll travel north up Buttes Pass Road to San Felipe Wash, then west to Borrego Mountain Wash where we'll turn south, and follow that all the way to the point where it is too narrow to drive. There is a nice little rock waterfall along the way, so this might be a good time to take those mudflaps off if you haven’t already. At the turn-around point we can briefly check out The Slot. From there we can backtrack to San Felipe Wash and east to Blow Sand Canyon, then take that up to the Goat Trail and back over to Buttes Pass. We’ll make a few other detours along the way, probably Hawk Canyon and later in the day the top portion of Borrego Mountain Road, and lots of stops for photos and to check out the scenery. We'll stop for lunch somewhere along the way.  Time permitting we can also check out the Cactus Garden off of Old Kane Springs Road and drive a ways up Harper Canyon.

This entire route should be stock friendly, but 4WD is required.

Caravan / Alternate Meet Spots:

1) San Diego:  Chevron Station on the corner of Scripps Poway Parkway and Pomerado Road, ready to roll out of there at 8:00AM. This is about 3 miles east of I-15. I don't plan to stop there unless someone specifically wants to meet there - so be sure to let me know in advance.

2) Ramona:  At the McDonalds at 8:20AM.  I don't plan to stop there otherwise, it just a recognizable spot, so again, let me know in advance if you want to meet there.

3) (Tentative) Julian Pie Company bakery in Santa Ysabel. Near the intersection of Hwy 78 and Hwy 79, at 9:00AM.

Comm:

FRS Radio - Channel 4, sub-code 24
CB Radio - Channel 24
My cell phone is 619 eight five five 0836.

[superslidestyle]

Dang, wish I could go but I just moved in to a new home and I have lots of unpacking to do. :-(

[hardrock]

Frank,

I was inspired by a previous post of yours on The New X and went out to Military Wash today (4/21).  The weather was great though very windy.
(Pics to follow if I can figure out how to post.)

I passed through Buttes Pass and also went to The Slot.  4WD is a must on this run!!

Hopefully I can make this one, sounds like fun.  I should know early next week.

Matt

[Brian (#2)]

Sounds good, I'm planning on going.

[fleury123]

I got my camera from pack out..set

[JakeCarp]

4WD is required.

nooooooo

....haha oh well, maybe next time.

[sdcaKLR]

Thanks, count me in. I can be at the Poway/Pomerado Chevron at 8am.
My station wagon is still stock, and I’d like to see what others did to transform into an awesome rig 

[FrankB]

Thanks, count me in. I can be at the Poway/Pomerado Chevron at 8am.
My station wagon is still stock, and I’d like to see what others did to transform into an awesome rig 

You should be fine stock, as long as 4WD.

[fleury123]

Thanks, count me in. I can be at the Poway/Pomerado Chevron at 8am.
My station wagon is still stock, and I’d like to see what others did to transform into an awesome rig 

sorry not trying to jack the thread. But have you seen the video of the guy driving his crown vic  at Mohab. I couldn't believe it.

[FrankB]

sorry not trying to jack the thread. But have you seen the video of the guy driving his crown vic  at Mohab. I couldn't believe it.

That was a great video. Cool dog too.

By the way, if the weather stays even close to what is forecast right now, it should be really nice out in Anza Borrego on Saturday.  Looking like low 80's.  Definitely have to stop and pick up an apple pie to go with lunch as we pass through Santa Ysabel.

[Brian (#2)]

I'll be at mcd's tomorrow at 8 with one of my dogs riding shotgun.  My new camera is charged up and ready to go!  See you then...

[FrankB]

I'll be at mcd's tomorrow at 8 with one of my dogs riding shotgun.  My new camera is charged up and ready to go!  See you then...

I didn't realize those dogs could be separated.  By the way - It will probably be closer to 8:20 or so at Ramona, as we are meeting at Scripps Poway and Pomerado at 8:00AM.

[fleury123]

Thanks Frank for showing a small group an enjoyable day . I particularly like goat trail , next time I might even put it in 4wd. lol I will post of my pic later when I clean them up. Convince mark to get an account here. It was good to see and meet some new people. Look forward to some more adventure while I am here. Even though Mitch turned into an DUD

[Brian (#2)]

Thanks again Frank!  Nice to meet everyone, hopefully we can get out there again before it gets too hot.

[FrankB]

That was fun today. Good to see some old friends, and meet some new ones as well.  I've started a picture thread, please post you shots in there too.

It felt really kind of weird having the oldest truck in the group.