Im glad I found this forum. I've been planning on hiking around the anza borrego but I'm quite inexperienced with the area. The tips on this thread has been quite helpful. Im hoping I can finally do it sometime July. Maybe I can find hiking medallions in the area as a souvenir. Thanks!

For San G, I prefer the Fish Creek Route over the Vivian route and not only because the knees have gotten old with lots of miles. Fish creek may be more miles and take a bit longer but I find it to be easier and I like the route better. Not sure if the road to fish creek is open yet.

Water secret spot: the mine on a good snow year like this one is likely to have water (snow) into July or August. It is maybe 100 yards off trail.

Rocko1 wrote:

rockhopper wrote:

Don't forget Coyote peak next to Clark lake. Can be made into a fun day hike. Come up the east side and loop around to the north and back. Sections of the PCT near Granite mountain are fun. Also if you don't mind waiting till the snow melt and heading north a little bit, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio are some of my favorite day hikes.

Thanks. I want to do Coyote-that seems like an interesting route.

Have you done Gorgonio? I am planning that for the next couple of months.

Yes, multiple times. From the South and the North hiking trail heads. Always wanted to do the West route up 10,000 ft ridge and on to the summit. Camped at the summit once. Lots of rock wind shelters. I would suggest the North side first. Just more interesting than the South side uphill grind. It is the highest summit around. Great views on a clear day. Best after a East wind event. Have fun!

rockhopper wrote:

Don't forget Coyote peak next to Clark lake. Can be made into a fun day hike. Come up the east side and loop around to the north and back. Sections of the PCT near Granite mountain are fun. Also if you don't mind waiting till the snow melt and heading north a little bit, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio are some of my favorite day hikes.

Thanks. I want to do Coyote-that seems like an interesting route.

Have you done Gorgonio? I am planning that for the next couple of months.

Don't forget Coyote peak next to Clark lake. Can be made into a fun day hike. Come up the east side and loop around to the north and back. Sections of the PCT near Granite mountain are fun. Also if you don't mind waiting till the snow melt and heading north a little bit, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio are some of my favorite day hikes.

All of the suggestions are very good. Many are much tougher then Granite, Villager, or Whale.

Bring a headlamp for some. Be careful of the reports, the type of people who dayhike these are often faster than normal.


Also add:
Palm Mesa (via Henderson Canyon, BPC, or Los Coyotes)
Rosa and Pyramid(separately or can be combined with Mile High, Villager)

Sawtooth and Red Top can be done in <12 hours from Indian Canyon

Isn't the legit way up Red Top via McCain Valley and Pepperwood Canyon??

Buford wrote:

Sawtooth and Red Top can be done in <12 hours from Indian Canyon

Technically it's Indian "Valley"......Indian "Canyon" is in the north area of the park near Cougar/Sheep Canyon & Collins Valley....just in case folks are looking at a map for it.

Sawtooth and Red Top can be done in <12 hours from Indian Canyon

Red Top / Sawtooth Highpoint from North Indian Canyon. 12+ hours.

San Ysidro East.

Mile High Mountain.

Another vote for Indianhead.

Square Top. Not really that long, but you'll need to drag a rope up for the summit block.

caltopo.com Find an interesting starting point, destination, and end point and go.


Schad’s book

https://peakbagger.com/list.aspx?lid=5058

6582

All depend on time of year and how much you want to suffer.