Ahhh...finally sunshine! Yes, we woke up to basically clear sky this morning...just a few skiffs of clouds. After the last two days of rain, fog and clouds, it's great to be back to what is "normal" for Southern California. The temps, according to the forecast though, will take a few days to climb back up to "normal".
...and then continued onto the Visitor's Center at the State Park...
We parked the truck in the RV area and followed the signs to the visitors center. The building is invisible from the parking lot, tucked away into the landscape.
...and then watched a fifteen minute video on the Park. Anza-Borrego is California's largest state park at over 600,000 acres. It's one of the largest state parks in the US. Borrego is a Spanish word meaning "sheep" or "lamb" and the park is home to the endangered Desert Bighorn Sheep. The video said two-thirds of the remaining population of the Desert Bighorn live in the park.
After talking to one of the park volunteers and getting some hiking maps, we went out to take some pictures. This is actually walking up on top of the visitors center...
This is the roof...
"Alcoholic Pass"...too funny!
Steve is inside the truck (out of the wind) changing the lens on his camera before we go. He decided to put the telephoto lens on in case we see some Bighorn Sheep...
Lots of info and warnings at the trailhead...
And we are on our way...it was pretty level at the start...
...but then started climbing...
The holes on this rock are called "morteros". They are made by Borrego's earlier residents; women ground seeds in the same place for centuries to create these holes. The grinding sticks are called "metates".
The trailhead and campground below...
...and our camp waaaaaay over there...
Almost down...
Huge Ocotillo...
It was about 2:30 by the time we got back to the truck...a good 3 miles hike up into the beautiful canyon. As we were leaving, we took this picture of one of the primitive campsites...cool ramada for the picnic table...
We stopped at the sani-dump in the campground and filled up our blue water jugs with fresh water before driving through the full hook-up area on our way out...
It was tough trying to get a picture of the campsites behind the golf course through all of the trees...
Notice that the serpent is on both sides of the road...head on one side and tail on other...
There are apparently many more scattered all over the place...but that's all for us. We had had a great day! It's so nice to get back out hiking!
Great post Diane and Steve, really enjoyed your pics and narrative. Vicki and I can hardly wait until we can go full timing. AND congratulations on your grand child. Hopefully we will see you guys at Quartzite in Feb. Vicki and Harry
ReplyDeleteThanks guys. Sounds like you have Vickie talked into full timing!! Look forward to seeing you at Quartzsite.
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