Hi!
I am not an FJ cruiser owner (I own a tacoma) but I thought some of you guys might be interested in 4wheeling in anza borego this weekend and I could care less which vehicles to go with as long as they are prepared for conditions and the people are right.
I will be in the desert nearby ocotillo on Saturday, feb. 17 to help pit for a friend of mine who is racing a truck in a FUD 200 race. race starts at 8 am and will probably be over for me by about 12. Majority of my friends will be driving back to San Diego right after it but I would like to go on a small 4-wheeling trip since I am already in the desert.
I thought something like this could be fun - from Ocotillo take imperial highway (S2) to canyon sin nombre, then onto arroyo seco del diablo, thru diablo drop-off to fish creek canyon, then either visit wind caves by following east thru fish creek wash and then coming back to the junction and continuing west on fish creek wash to the hapaha flat road or just go straight west thru fish creek wash to hapaha flat road (with a possible side trip to sandstone canyon), take that to Pinyon drop-off, drive it backwards (up) and continue back to S2 on Pinyon mountain road. Then take S2 a little south to rodriguez canyon road and take that (or a little detour thru oriflamme canyon and chariot canyon) to road 78, then 78 east to 79 south, to 8, and back to san diego.
If the pinyon drop-off (the heart-attack hill) is too hard to go up (which is probably how it will be) I will probably just continue on fish creek wash north to 78 and then to S2 and rodrigues canyon as planned. Also I am not sure if FJ will fit thru the squeeze (see pics below) but perhaps somebody with experience can chime in. Both pinyon drop-off and the squeeze are on pinyon mountain road so if we don't do the drop-off (heart-attack hill) we will not do the squeeze either.
Most probably camp out nearby number 9 on the map on Saturday night and then continue on Sunday morning. Planning to come bach to San Diego by 2pm or so on Sunday.
full map of the area is here -
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/638/files/ABDSPmap.pdf
preview:
sandstone canyon
fish creek wash
"Starting at Split Mountain Road which is 8 miles south of Ocotillo Wells OHV Area you must take the intersection that travels up to the Fish Creek Area. Just 1.4 miles further you come to the Fish Creek Camp Area which lacks campsite amenities. If you choose to camp then this is it as there are no campsites in the wash.
Moving further the trail takes you into the Fish Creek Canyon. You travel along a fault zone, passing through the Split Mountain and can get a chance to see ancient fossils of mollusk shells. Refrain from reaching out to collect these.
You can continue down the canyon as the trail now is easier to follow. You will encounter numerous forks but these all meet within a short distance. One of these leads you to the Wind Caves hiking trails which have the natural sandstone sculptures. You also pass by the Arroyo Seco del Diablo Trail which has a drop at the north end. So if you want to do this one, start at the south.
The main trail carries on southwards into the Sandstone Canyon Trail which is sandy and narrow. This may be a bit difficult to maneuver your 4WD. The trail ends at a turnaround but you can continue further. It does get more tricky however as the path gets really narrow and boulders and rocks abound. No wonder then this section deserves a difficult rating.
If you do only one drive in the park, do this one. It has it all: an outstanding scenic and geologic experience, wind caves, a primeval landscape, and Sandstone Canyon, a long slot canyon with walls some 200 feet high."
arroyo seco del diablo
"Arroyo Seco del Diablo, translated as Devil’s Dry Wash in Spanish, begins at Vallecito Wash Trail. This is also known as a one way trail as it ends in a steep drop near Fish Creek. It is the loose sand in this area that does not allow vehicles to turn back from this drop thereby giving it the strange name, Diablo Drop Off.
To reach this spot you take on the difficult route that runs along Vallecito Wash 1.1 miles west of the intersection with Canyon sin Nombre. Once in the Arroyo Seco del Diablo you come across numerous twists in this sandstone canyon leading to the wash. Look out for falling stones from the canyon walls and debris that you have to cross. This problem is more acute in windy conditions. Drive along for 6 miles and you come to the exit of the canyon and move closer to the Drop off.
Once there, you get some great views of the Vallecito Mountains and the Fish Creek. Nice place to camp in spite of there being no shade and having some harsh conditions.
There are two descents with a break in the middle at the Diablo Drop Off, the first has loose sandy terrain and is not too difficult to cross. The second is more challenging as it is narrow having large steps and plunges in to a small creek that leads to the Fish Creek.
Your 4WD should be driven at this point only by an experienced driver. You can park at a safe distance and move on foot to view. Afterwards you can drive down from Middle Mesa you can continue down the drop. Remember however to avoid this section in the rains as your vehicle can skid easily. Once down in the rocky creek you have to climb over some boulders to reach the Fish Creek-Sandstone Canyon Trail."
the squeeze
heart-attack hill
pinyon mountain road
"This trail is worth the drive just for the scenery, but the main attractions are The Squeeze and Pinyon Drop-off. Neither obstacle has a bypass. The photo of the Toyota Tundra on the opposite page shows what can happen to a full-size vehicle at The Squeeze. Excellent driving skills are needed to descend extremely steep Pinyon Drop-off, a.k.a. Heart Attack Hill. You should consider this a one-way trip since you can’t turn back after The Squeeze. The last part of the trip is easy as you exit through Fish Creek Wash and spectacular Split Mountain. No ATVs are allowed on trail, but street-legal dirt bikes are permitted provided they stay on designated routes. Trail passes through a narrow canyon with steep hills and one extremely steep descent. Not recommended for stock or full-size vehicles. For experienced drivers only. Lockers will make the trip easier. Do not drive this trail if heavy rain is expected. You would not want to be in Fish Creek Canyon during a flash flood. Don’t go alone."
canyon sin nombre
"A geologic wonderland that cuts through striking Carrizo Badlands. Follows Butterfield Stage Route through Vallecito Valley. Route follows mostly sandy wash bottom. Suitable for stock 4x4 SUVs. Don’t park or camp near steep embankments. This is one of three major earthquake fault zones in southern California."
rodriques canyon
oriflamme canyon
"Heart-pumping scenic drive through remote canyon. Can be driven in either direction. Return via difficult Rodriguez Canyon to make a loop. Many historic mines and buildings. Excellent spring wildflowers. Mildly rocky with steep, narrow switchbacks. Suitable for stock 4x4 SUVs with high ground clearance. Possible snow during the winter months at higher elevations."
little background info on me:
While I drove around the desert by Ocotillo/Superstition/Sand Dam somewhat a lot, I am quite unfamiliar with the planned route, except for running canyon sin nombre and down carrizo creek wash to the east.
I drive a 2003 double cab tacoma, 4x4 with rear trd locker, 31" bfg mt tires, about 2" lift, and NO sliders. I do have an M8000 winch, as well as high lift, some aluminum boards to use as sand-ladders, shovel, strap, and a small hand winch. Also have snorkel and a cb.
vehicle requierements (obviously not limited to fj cruisers by the way): 4wd is mandatory, rear locker is mandatory if we attempt going up the heart-attack hill but otherwise it is just recommended I think (althoug there are other sections of the trails where it might come very handy), sliders and good skid plates are very much recommended.
come at your own risk! this is not a well organized run - I just want to go 4wheeling and explore new trails and just trying to see if anybody would want to join me. However, I will not leave anybody behind and you can count on that.
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