We packed up and prepared to leave Lake Cahuilla, but delayed actual departure as long as possible, as our destination was only a short drive away and we knew check-in time was 2 PM. Parks often let campers in a bit early, but apparently that's not the case at Anza Borrego. We arrived about 20 minutes before 2 PM and though we completed the check-in process we were told we'd have to go park by the visitor's center and wait until 2:00. So we did, and of course we toured the visitor center too.
It's nice, and subtly designed to blend with the landscape. The displays are very informative and really well done. Visitors are greeted by a model of a prehistoric bird that's sure to get everyone's attention!
Once 2:00 rolled around we breezed on through the gate and locate our site. We were situated toward the back of the campground, which is on the lower slopes of a steep canyon. We had a view of the the campgrounds various sections as well as beyond into the valley and the nearby town.
Steve had a real challenge shoehorning the rig into our site. Be advised when visiting here, the roads and sites are all lined with boulders of various sizes. What looks spacious may not have adequate room for tires when backing in longer rigs. In spite of the challenges we were settled in just in time to watch the Superbowl.... the only TV we watched while we were in the park.
Our site is in the Palm Canyon campground, one of the most spacious and scenic of the loops, and we are quite near the entrance to the trail that leads up to the palm grove in the canyon. There's a small pond at the base of the trail that is apparently home to several types of frogs. Their happy spring songs really added to the evening atmosphere when we stepped out for the night- time dog walk and a little star gazing.
The plan while here was to meet up with Steve's brother Dale. He camps here often (usually boondocking) and knows the trails and the sites pretty well. I wanted to try out the trail next to us, up into the canyon, so fit that in early, before Dale arrived.
The trail is smooth gravel at first then quickly becomes a tumbled, circuitous and sometimes steep path of sand and boulders. The official trail is carefully outlined with smaller stones and pieces of drift wood and palm tree that were damaged during a fire in 2020. The park folks here are pretty serious about hikers not stepping off the official trail so they leave no doubt as to where you should step!
Water was running freely in the creek, which the trail crossed twice, as far as I went. I had decided to be back in camp by 11 AM, so had to turn around before I made it all the way to the palm grove.
I arrived back at camp just as Dale was arriving..... perfect timing!
After a short visit we departed for touring some of the sites. First stop, Glorietta Canyon.
There are boondocking sites available on the road it. The park has their regulations for that type of camping posted frequently in all the areas where it is allowed. The trail here is a moderately steep, but very picturesque hike. At the moment, shrubs and wildflowers are thinking about blooming, with a few early achievers popping out here and there, but still offering great photo opportunities.
Leaving Glorietta we continued our exploration out on the flatland at the base of the hills, suddenly out of the sagebrush here were huge dinosaurs all around us.
They were rearing, lunging and gnashing their teeth! Well, not exactly, but a good suggestion of doing so. There is a long history of life in this desert, and there's a paleontology research center adjacent to the park, so the dinosaurs fit right in.
The artist who created the statues and the story of how they came to be has been told in detail by others so I won't try. Here's the best rendition I've found, complete with plenty of photos and videos of the amazing work. The link will take you to several years worth of the authors exploration and study of artist Ricardo Breceda's amazing work.
Next on the agenda, Font's Point, and a truly amazing example of geologic history. East of the town of Borrego Springs, the viewpoint is reach by traveling through a dusty dry wash.
Parking is in a designated area, and there's no clue of the vision that lies ahead. Walk up the sandy path and when you approach the ridge the view suddenly opens up to reveal a view that rivals the Grand Canyon. It's breathtaking to say the least. The link above provides how to get there and other relevant information, in addition to plenty of photos.
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