Anza-Borrego Desert Adventure

My folks and I spent a couple of days at Anza-Borrego State Park, driving around the desert, and stopping to hike and take pictures. We visited the area four years ago in 2011, and were interested to check for changes, especially after three years of drought (see Anza-Borrego Desert Park).

We drove down Highway 86 past the Salton Sea (the water level is low, but not as low as I expected), and then headed West on S22 toward Borrego Springs. We stopped at the Badlands to look at the bleak but beautiful hills, where very little seems to grow.

The Badlands near S22

We stayed at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort in Borrego Springs. Our rooms overlooked the sweeping desert vista from Indian Head Mountain down the flood plain to the mountains across the valley. From our veranda, we enjoyed coffee and bird watching in the morning, and star and moon gazing in the evening. It was a treat to return to our luxurious rooms after a day in the hot, dusty desert.

View from the veranda

Shady respite at Palm Canyon Hotel

On the first evening we strolled after-hours at the Anza-Borrego State Park Visitor's Center – with a full moon rising and sunset in the background, and the wind rustling through the palms. We saw a road runner and several smaller birds flitting about. The Palo Verde trees seemed especially lovely with their green bark and yellow blossoms.

Sunset stroll at the Visitor's Center

The next morning we got an early start, and hiked up to the Borrego Palm Canyon about a mile and a half from the Visitor Center. The desert floor seemed especially dry, but we saw beautiful Palo Verde, Desert Willow, and a magnificent Ironwood in bloom.

Green mesquite lines the trail, leading to the palm canyon oasis

An Ironwood tree in a haze of pink blossoms

Mom and I paused for a picnic of trail mix and water under the palms, and appreciated the extravagance of water in the oasis. Back at the trail head, Dad informed us about the snake that had been found under a picnic table, and then moved to a more secluded spot by the park ranger, after a quick dip in the pond. Apparently the snakes like to lie on the warm rocks among the reeds in the pond.

Lush greenery around the palm canyon oasis creek

The palms provide shade and refuge for people, birds, and small animals

Small pool at the trail head provides water for birds, small animals, and snakes!

Later in the day we drove over to the Tamarisk Grove campground on Highway 78, and then walked up the nearby Mine Wash. Here the desert floor seemed less dry then elsewhere (perhaps being a wash). We saw Palo Verde, Ocotillo, Century Plant, and Barrel Cactus in abundance.

Hike on the desert road up Mine Wash off Highway 78

Beautiful sunset stroll, after a delicious dinner at the Palm Canyon Hotel

The next morning, after breakfast at Kendall's Cafe, we toured around the Borrego Springs area looking at the large Sky Art sculptures by sculptor Ricardo Breceda. Some of our favorites include the serpent (which spans both sides of the road), the horses, the camels, the llama, and the dueling scorpion and grasshopper. These are magnificent pieces, full of character (and I'm delighted to find a working artist)!

Serpent (by Ricardo Breceda) crosses Borrego Springs Road

Scorpion/Grasshopper (Breceda) dueling on the desert floor off Big Horn Road

We also saw the sculpture that pays tribute to Caesar Chavez, who organized the grape harvesters in the area in the early days of his union organizing, before he moved on to the Central Valley. We also saw the orange and date groves, which replaced Señor Di Giorgio's grape vines.

Farm Workers (Breceda) - Caesar Chavez organized workers in Borrego Springs, before moving on to the Central Valley

Then we headed north toward Palm Desert and Palm Springs!