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tekewin Posts: 398
4/27/2026
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This was my second visit to Sombrero, always fun. I confirmed the big slanted boulder as the high point, with the second highest point the boulder with the CA Beaches and Parks benchmark. I checked a third possible high point, but it was clearly lower than the other two. Like the first time, I lost the use trail somewhere in the gully and had to course correct. Indian Canyon road was rocky the first couple of miles, then smoothed out after it splits into north and south.
Some signs on the summit
After Sombrero, I pulled off the road before the split to climb Palm Benchmark (not the Palms Benchmark in Collins Valley). It was short, about 1.5 miles round trip, but a boulder hop all the way. It's not difficult and the route doesn't matter much. The terrain was similar everywhere. I went up the ridge, then descended a series of gullies. The summit had an 8' boulder with the benchmark sticking out of the top. Cool views back to Sombrero. It had a register placed by Wes Shelberg in Jan, 1997 with more signatures than I expected.
Another CA div of Beaches and Parks BM, rusted register can
Sombrero from Palm Benchmark
Finally, I drove up to Egg Mountain. Good dirt road all the way. I was going to check out the palm groves near the Mountain Palm Springs Campground, but it had one of those $10 pay stations for day use, $25 to camp, so I passed. Maybe next time. I have mixed feelings about the pay stations that have popped up in various places.
Sombrero from Egg Mountain.
edited by tekewin on 4/27/2026
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Rocko1 Posts: 632
4/27/2026
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Nice pictures. I have mixed feelings as well for paying $10/25 for a pit toilet only.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1385
4/28/2026
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Great post. We did Sombrero Peak years ago and I seem to remember it being a bit of a bushwhacking hike.
We camp on Egg Mountain occasionally but usually the RVers have it staked out since it is an easy drive up.
Nice new Tacoma BTW.
I found my old post about Sombrero Peak if you're interested.
https://www.anzaborrego.net/2009/01/18/indian-valley-to-sombrero-peak/
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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tekewin Posts: 398
4/28/2026
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surfponto wrote:
Great post. We did Sombrero Peak years ago and I seem to remember it being a bit of a bushwhacking hike.
We camp on Egg Mountain occasionally but usually the RVers have it staked out since it is an easy drive up.
Nice new Tacoma BTW.
I found my old post about Sombrero Peak if you're interested.
https://www.anzaborrego.net/2009/01/18/indian-valley-to-sombrero-peak/
Your report from 2009 still holds up. Not much has changed, haha.
The truck is a 2025 TRD Off-Road. Traded in my gen3 2019 mainly for better electronics and the color I wanted. I was not sure about I4 turbo engine, but it's been great and is much more responsive on the highway. It's off road capabilities exceed my driving skills.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1385
4/28/2026
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Nice.
We still have our 2021 TRD Sport 4x4.
Great truck but gas mileage leaves much to be desired.
Glad the 4th Gen is working out for you.
tekewin wrote:
surfponto wrote:
Great post. We did Sombrero Peak years ago and I seem to remember it being a bit of a bushwhacking hike.
We camp on Egg Mountain occasionally but usually the RVers have it staked out since it is an easy drive up.
Nice new Tacoma BTW.
I found my old post about Sombrero Peak if you're interested.
https://www.anzaborrego.net/2009/01/18/indian-valley-to-sombrero-peak/
Your report from 2009 still holds up. Not much has changed, haha.
The truck is a 2025 TRD Off-Road. Traded in my gen3 2019 mainly for better electronics and the color I wanted. I was not sure about I4 turbo engine, but it's been great and is much more responsive on the highway. It's off road capabilities exceed my driving skills.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2643
5/8/2026
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There used to be an ammo box chained to the summit boulder on Sombrero, haven't seen it though last few times up there. Never saw the wooden sign before, at least that I remember.
Nice trip!
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1385
5/10/2026
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Have an old picture of the ammo box
dsefcik wrote:
There used to be an ammo box chained to the summit boulder on Sombrero, haven't seen it though last few times up there. Never saw the wooden sign before, at least that I remember.
Nice trip!
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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tekewin Posts: 398
5/10/2026
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Same ammo box was there, but no longer chained. It was sitting between two boulders next to the signs.
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