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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
2/22/2011
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The 3 day Presidents weekend brought a lot of visitors to Anza Borrego as well as the adjacent BLM lands. Our original plan was to camp and hike Painted Gorge. When my son and I arrived at the Painted Gorge trail head there were many OHV / RV users and also several groups target shooting near by so we decided to move on and head to Anza Borrego instead. Shifting gears and making a new 3 day plan we decided to camp at the base of Indian Gorge so I could try and capture some moonrise/sunrise pictures from the valley. This would also let us hike Torote Canyon the next morning. We hiked the full 9.8 mile loop thru the canyon, over the saddle near Indian (North) Valley and then back down to our campsite. We saw several other campers over the 3 days but none in the canyon where we hiked. The park rangers were also out and about, one ranger stopped and checked our metal fire container, ash cleanup bucket and also our dog being "leashed at all times". We had everything covered so we got a friendly smile and a "have a nice day" remark. The snow in the Laguna mountains was also a surprise vista.
My full Trip Report with all pictures is on my website http://www.sefcik.com/2011/02/torote-canyon-indian-valley-abdsp.html
Whale Peak had some snow for about half of Sunday morning
Another Honey Bee shot on Desert Lavender
"Cactus Hill" in Torote Canyon
We saw some Prairie Falcons in the canyon
Looking down into Indian Valley (North) from the canyon saddle. You can see Sombrero Peak in the far distance
Sunrise on the Coyote Mtns. These colors lasted about 15 seconds
The Laguna Mountains covered in snow viewed from the Domelands area
"Fred" our Drag Queen Alien makes his debut in Anza Borrego (Thanks Cayenne!)
Our GPS tracks of Torote Canyon
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
2/23/2011
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Great photos Daren,
Looks like a great trip.
Your camera skills have definitely improved. Great bee picture.
Bob
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/23/2011
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Daren,
Looks like a nice hike. How was the terrain getting from Torote over to Indian Valley? Did you see any nice campsites up that way? I have never been up Torote
Canyon. I have thought about it many times but there always seems to be lots of vehicles at the trailhead. Got any more pics?
David
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
2/23/2011
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hikerdmb wrote:
Daren,
Looks like a nice hike. How was the terrain getting from Torote over to Indian Valley? Did you see any nice campsites up that way? I have never been up Torote
Canyon. I have thought about it many times but there always seems to be lots of vehicles at the trailhead. Got any more pics?
David
Plenty of camp spots, the saddle area is wide open, sandy and flat..really gorgeous. Perfect for backpacking. I will try to post some more pics tonight.
Daren
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
2/23/2011
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David, the terrain up the canyon is mostly sandy wash. There are a few places where you will need to boulder climb or find a way around on the hillside. The descent into Indian Gorge was steep but easily navigated despite all of the cholla cactus balls. We did take our (100lb) dog on the route and we had to airlift him over boulders in several places and also stop to pull out cactus balls from his paws. Keep this in mind if you want to take Wiley (sorry if I keep getting his name spelled wrong).
The canyon would be a great backpack trip for a 4 mile out/4 mile back trip, camping up at the saddle before descending down into Indian Valley. The are plenty of sandy areas for camp, it was very peaceful when we went and we did not see anybody out there although we did numerous footprints, an obviously popular hike.
Here are a few more pics from the canyon area
Up near the saddle area, big wide open sandy areas are plentiful (Sombrero Peak in the background)
A couple more big sandy areas
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My son and 'Bones our dog resting in the 60 degree "heat"
Up near the saddle looking east at the Coyote Mtns I believe
My original,original plan to backpack solo before my son said he wanted to go. Park at Palm Mtn primitive campground, hike the old Indian trail over to Torote Canyon, down into Inner Pasture and try to find the indian hunting blind and other Indian remnants. 10 miles each way.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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hikerdmb Posts: 423
2/23/2011
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Thanks Daren. I like the first pic in your last post. Looks like a nice high place with a good view. Is that right before dropping into Indian Valley? I also like those fancy hiking shoes your son is wearing.
David
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
2/23/2011
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hikerdmb wrote:
Thanks Daren. I like the first pic in your last post. Looks like a nice high place with a good view. Is that right before dropping into Indian Valley? I also like those fancy hiking shoes your son is wearing.
David
Yes, it is near the high spot before dropping into Indian Valley. There are tons of flat sandy spots up there, it is really nice and wide open..I really liked it up there.
You can see from the serious hiking apparel my son uses why our hiking/camping plans change so dramatically when he wants to go along. I always have to remind him to *bring* shoes and not just flip-flops. He forgot his hydration pack on this trip, good thing I carry 50lbs of crap all the time. My 6 liter CamelBak and 6 bottles of water lasted all day for he, my dog and I...sigh...but I am happy he wants to go along!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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