This outing will feature a sampling of some of the best hiking in Anza Borrego Desert State Park with a peak climb and a canyon hike in the Indian Gorge/Torote Canyon area. We'll scramble up to False Sombrero Peak, explore the mostly flat valley areas, hike through Torote Canyon, and learn the basics of map and compass use. Good conditioning and sturdy hiking/backpacking boots are required. Long pants, long-sleeved shirts and gloves are required for 'some' protection from cholla/cacti. Small combs are required and will come in handy to flick off the cholla. Hiking poles are highly recommended but not mandatory. Please bring your WBC-issued compass and topo map.
The last 2 miles to the camping area are on a dirt, sandy road entering Indian Gorge. A high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended.
Saturday: We'll drive to the campsite in the scenic Indian Valley area and set up camp. After some basic map orientation - we'll start the day hike to False Sombrero Peak. The hike up to the peak is off-trail/cross-country hiking with steep up-and-down sections, with boulder scrambling and cholla-dodging. The increasingly expansive views of the desert are a great reward for the effort. This will be the tougher hike of the 2 days. We'll come down on the backside of the mountain, there is a section with some scree/loose rock that makes it a fun climb down. We will return to camp before sunset and enjoy a relaxed evening under the stars. We'll enjoy a small campfire in a metal container and an appetizer potluck in the evening.
Sunday: We'll cover some instructional material in the morning and pack up. The hike on Sunday will be through Torote Canyon. The canyon topography is a good opportunity for more map-terrain association.
Special Outing Requirements: High Clearance Vehicles are recommended. Regular cars will be ok with careful driving.
2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast, snacks on the hikes.
A snack (appetizer or cookies/dessert) item to share in group Potluck on Saturday evening.
Long pants, long sleeved shirts, gloves, comb for cholla flicking. Broken-in hiking/backpacking boots.
Water Requirements: 8-10 liters for the whole outing.
- 3 to 3.5 liters for the False Sombrero hike (a bottle of gatorade/electrolytes recommended as part of the fluids carried)
- 2 to 2.5 liters for the Torote Canyon hike
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