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The
northwest area of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
is called the Anza Region. It offers some of the most arduous terrain in the
park and is dominated by Comb's Peak and San Ysidro Peak, both of which exceed
6,000 feet in elevation. In this region, Coyote Canyon bisects the Bucksnort
and Coyote Mountains, where Juan Bautista De Anza's original route is marked
by the First Child Monument, Santa Catarina and El Vado (Anza Camp).
Further up Coyote Canyon, Bighorn Sheep, as well as wild horses and Coyotes,
grace the rugged terrain. Roads and trails here follow historic routes of the
Native American Cahuilla. Gateways to this arid, rugged wilderness are provided
by portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, the California Riding and Hiking Trail
and Anza National Historic Trail.
Vern Whitaker Horse Camp is located further down Coyote Creek at the end of
Borrego Springs Road. The
trail to this camp, along with Desert Gardens Trail, Alcoholic Pass Trail and
Desert View Trail, offer some of the less strenuous adventures in this area
of the park.
Culp Valley is also located in this sector, in the mountains west of Borrego
Springs between the San Ysidro and Pinyon Mountains. It is accessible from County
Road S-22 as you enter the park from the west. The California Riding and Hiking
Trail can be accessed here as it winds past Pena Spring and follows the rim
of Hellhole Canyon descending to the valley floor. Maidenhair Falls, The Thimble,
By Jim Springs and Scenic Overlook are all popular spots in the Culp Valley
area.
Blair
Valley is situated between Granite Mountain and Whale Peak, accessible along
County Road S-2 south of California Route 78. This region offers two-wheel drive
accessibility, hiking trails, primitive camping, and cultural and natural history
resources.
Blair
Valley contains four established hiking trails: Marshal South Home, Pictographs,
Morteros trails and a branch of the California Riding and Hiking Trail, which
descends from the Cuyamaca region and passes through Blair Valley on its way
to the Visitor Center in Borrego Springs. This, the longest trail in the park,
rises to nearly 5,000 feet and drops to below 1,000 feet in Borrego Valley,
exhibiting a wide variety of different habitats.Recreational vehicle campers
enjoy the flat areas surrounding the Blair lake bed, while tent campers disperse
farther out into the nearby coves around Little Blair Valley. These two playas
were connected lakes during the ice age. A rocky ridge now separates Blair dry
lake bed (about 2,500 feet in elevation) from that of Little Blair. A dirt road,
accessed from Highway S-2 at mile marker 23, makes an 8-mile loop around the
ridge and passes by both lake beds.Characteristic plants of this region include
Creosote Bush, and perennials like the Mojave Yucca and Juniper, while Goldfields,
Filaree, Thistle Sage and Windflower are the common spring wildflowers here.
Scott's Orioles, Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels are prevalent, while
Golden Eagles, Prairie Falcons and ferruginous hawks are occasionally seen.
Coyotes and rabbits are commonly seen, and rarely, a Mountain Lion or Bobcat
is sighted.
Blair Valley provides easy access to Box Canyon, located just off County Road
S-2. This overlook offers a good view of the Southern Emigrant Trail and Oriflamme
Canyon to the west. To the east is the Pinyon Mountain area and the Pinyon Drop
Off to Fish Creek. This valley offers primitive camping and a starting point
for the climb to Whale Peak.
