Borrego Springs, CA
Yaqui Pass Boondocking
Yaqui Pass Boondocking
(Jan 2020)
(more on this guy further down)
We headed out with my brother and Diane for Borrego Springs, CA. We've tried for years to get here and something has always sidetracked us. Our friends John and Tina joined us also. On the way we like to stop at the Merced Elks Lodge for an overnighter or two. Without even knowing it as we pulled in we thought, hey, we know that rig! Vickie and Harry were parked behind us! So nice to run in to them now and again. We had time for a short visit as we were heading out in the morning.
This is one of the nicest campgrounds at an Elks lodge. Quiet, out in the country.
The snow on the mountains as we climbed the Tehachapi was beautiful.
We spent the next night at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster, CA. We met up with my brother here as he stopped along the way to visit friends.
My brother's rig. He brought his Ranger for some fun in the desert at Quartzsite.
It was a beautiful sunset.
The next night brought us to the Red Earth Casino in Thermal on the Salton Sea, CA for the night. After a nice dinner in the casino we went to bed for an early departure. We were able to dump our tanks and fill our fresh water tank up for the short drive to our boondocking spot.
33.149514 -116.349144 the GPS coordinates to our spot.
Right off the paved road, easy access. Very large flat area. The road was hardly used so it was very quiet. We are just south of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. There is a campground in town but we were looking forward to some secluded boondocking.
John and Tina.
Steve and Diane.
Us in the middle.
There is a parking area and then you head down the trench to the trail.
Heading down. Just a little slippery.
The sandstone was mostly tan and gray but had some gold and reds mixed in.
The angle of the sun made some parts of the slot glow golden.
Suck it in Bro!
The rock to the left of Tina looks like an Eel face.
One of the spires has fallen and is now leaning on the other side.
Pink rock with brown and red layers.
Tina looks so small down there!
You walk in this "cave" and around the column of rocks.
What a great, little slot hike.
Back at camp it was time for cocktails and appetizers.
Hurley was happy to be back in the warmer temperatures, enjoying the sunshine.
We enjoyed the warm sun too. Later in the evening my brother spotted some Bighorn sheep high up in the mountains behind us.
Even Moose joined along for a while.
Before we drop over the rise you can see our camp when you look back.
You can fit several rigs here.
And on the other side you are rewarded with the overlook of the Mescal Bajada. What a huge view.
Ruger enjoyed it too.
Hearts! 💗
Some are life sized creatures that roamed this area and some are just whimsical.
The detail is amazing!
The favorite is the 350 foot long serpent that actually goes under the road and continues on the other side
I'm so happy to have finally seen this. Incredible art!
Go to THIS WEBSITE for more information about these sculptures.
We then drove through the quaint town and stopped in to quench our thirst.
Good choice!
Tomorrow we leave for Quartzsite while John and Tina head off in a different direction.
See ya down the Road!
What a nice boondocking site, we should have boondocked when we were there, we'll plan to when we go back. We enjoyed The Slot hike too, there was a great little farmers market in town the day we were there.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had an ATV as there were some really cool things to see but the sandy roads were not possible with the dually!
DeleteNice photos - even the part with the snow on the mountains :) I liked the Jeep artwork. Your brother's toy in the back of his truck is way cool. Getting with friends is wonderful. I always appreciate you posting your boondock sites. Someday when we get in the area I intend to make us of your notes for spots.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very convenient boondocking spot. Nice to see this part of CA that we had not had the chance to.
DeleteSlots are some of our favorite hikes, looks like Steve had to suck it in a few times to squeeze through! How cool to run into Harry and Vickie, they are a couple of our favorite people!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun slot. We always love running into Vickie and Harry!
DeleteLooks like you all (even the dogs) had a great time. Happy hour with friends and family is priceless! Nice boondocking site and a great hike to boot :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was a great time for sure!
DeleteThat looks like a very cool slot canyon. Thanks for the GPS coordinates for the site also.
ReplyDeleteWe were glad to finally be able to visit. Nice spot for a few days.
DeleteLooks like you made the best of a great place! I love the detail of the farm workers, they're my favorite. Fun pics from the slot hike :-))
ReplyDeleteI agree, the farm workers were one of my favorites too!
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