Being that Memorial Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, we were itching to go out and do some camping. Because we would have all the kids and dogs in tow we had to opt for something closer to home. We decided to visit the Anza Borrego Desert and stayed in a nice campground at the base of Banner grade outside of Julian. There we met up with JKMARINE, his girlfriend Christina, OS14 and I8aYota.

We took it as a challenge to see if we could actually fit everything we needed for our trip into a 4 door JK with a Trek Top. This included 5 people, 2 dogs, 2 tents, 5 chairs, 5 sleeping bags – the works. We borrowed a friend’s tailgate tray and it ended up like the JK was hauling a huge backpack, but it got the job done, even though the rear shocks were about bottomed out.




Here is a shot of us heading into the oasis like campground area which is in between Shelter Valley and Agua Caliente Hot Springs on the S22. Weather on Saturday was perfect, mid to high 80’s.



After setting up camp and taking off the doors we decided to head out to a challenging trail that evening, Rodriguez Canyon, which was only a few miles from camp.



Airing down at the trail head



SM_Rubi checking out the first obstacle in the “alternate route” which is an offshoot of the main trail and much more challenging
(I want to make note that no wildflowers were harmed in the climbing of this obstacle… )



SM_Rubi up and over


JKMARINE starting his way up


Not having lockers made climbing this obstacle very difficult. After several attempts, and not wanting to risk any damage at the start of the weekend, Hiram decided to back down and take the bypass



We saw a ton of nature on this trail, if we weren’t avoiding desert chipmunks and Quail on the road, it was wildflowers…



And rattlesnakes…
This sucker was huge. Unfortunately he slithered into the brush before we could get a really good shot of him.



JKMARINE making his way over the next obstacle



The Desert Lavender was at least 5 feet tall and smelled amazing

 

The first time Frank and I took this trail we had only had our Jeep a few months and decided to turn around at this point. Several people had told Frank that since then, this trail had gotten much easier. We think now they were not on this 2nd section, because although the first two obstacles did indeed seem easier, the next section was still very difficult. I think I’ll refer to the rest of this story as “SM_Rubi’s excellent adventure”

Through the first obstacle



2nd obstacle took several attempts to avoid hitting the diffs on the large rock in the middle.



After getting through this obstacle it seemed there was no turning back now. This is where his passengers decided it was time to get out. (Can you believe one of them is actually reading during all this?)



We soon quickly learned that the wider, longer Unlimited has it’s drawbacks on this trail. With some very large rocks on either side, it was very difficult to get through while avoiding body damage





SM_Rubi assessing his predicament



Because it was rapidly approaching sundown, and there were at least 2 other equally difficult obstacles following this one, after multiple attempts at clearing this particular obstacle we decided that the wisest move may be to back out. This proved to be as equally if not more challenging than going forward.

 

After finally getting to a place he could turn around, SM-Rubi decided to take a quicker “bailout” path to avoid the last two obstacles as the steering box appeared to be getting overtaxed with all the previous efforts. Pictures don’t do it justice but this was a very narrow and steep drop. He had to head into the drop at an angle and rely on the rockers to pivot him left and down.



He did a little tree trimming on the way down



He’s already telling me he could have made it through with bigger tires…



After finishing up the trail via the bypass, we made our way to the old cabin just before dark and turned around to head back. Then back to camp to enjoy a campfire.

 

The next morning started out a little hotter. Shelbycullison and 3Samudra met up with us at the campground and we all joined Wildgoosepilot and DNicoli and their group who where also staying at the same campground for a run to the Mud Caves.



Airing down at the trail head. It was already 94 degrees at 10:45 AM





We took a short detour down part of Carrizo creek to cool off, although by that time it was 100 in the shade





After a very dusty doorless drive down the wash, we arrived at the Mud Caves. Here we met up with Sintaur and Haleyscomet who had finished a run to Coyote Canyon already that morning. It was now 103 degrees.



The caves were amazingly cool, and pitch black so flashlights are a must. This first cave snaked through the hill for what I heard was approx. ľ miles. Most went all the way through and back. Some of us just did a partial walk then waited in the cool entry way.





From there we drove only about 50 yards to the next set of caves and overhangs for some shade to eat lunch in.

Here are some of the guys checking out “Matilda” which has whopping 47 inch tires.



Many choose to eat in this small cave. The entrance was about 30 or so feel long and so narrow that it only allowed for one way traffic. Once you got inside there was a large room with an opening to the sky to allow in some light.



The original plan was to go with the group to Diablo Drop Off which, by the time we got back to camp, would have been at least 3-4 hours off. A couple of the old timers with us started talking about going back to the pool at the campground for "cocktails" and being that it was so darn hot, it just sounded too good to a few of us. Diablo Drop Off can wait until next fall.

Here we are stopping at Hollywood and Vine on the way out





And about an hour later…

 

On Monday it was time to put the doors and tops back on and pack up camp



A few of us decided to go to The Slot on the way home. Because we were so loaded up, we decided to drive to the top of the Slot and hike down. Another 103 degree day by the time we got into Ocotillo.

Starting at the top end of the slot



Beautiful wildflowers and plants along the trail and ledges





The trail starts off fairly wide and gets narrower as it goes down.



Getting narrower



You almost have to limbo through this section



3Samudra walks under a boulder precariously wedged in the slot.





Appears many birds use this area for shelter



Climbing back up to the top of the slot





It was nice to get back into Julian and the cooler temperatures on the way home



You can see all the pictures from our trip here:

http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/a...%20%20Borrego/

 

Yeah it is. I think a 2 door would have an easier time, but a lot of clearance is a must. I'm sure we'll be going there to try it again before the year is up. You gotta come with us and give it a shot...

 

great shot blonda!! looks like you guys had a hell of a time. don't know how well i would have done in the tripple digit temps though

 

Frank,

A very comprehensive Anza Borrego run ! Well done !! The 100 + degree temps would have stopped me cold in my tracks.

 

Great pictures, looks like a perfect weekend, thanks for posting

 

It was a great time and the trail was way more difficult than I had heard it had become...definitely want to go back earlier in the day so there will be plenty of time...really thought for a moment we might get stuck out there all night

Well it's a dry heat but the swimming pool at the campground made all the difference! And Fred it did alter our plans for a long run on Saturday...we broke off from the group with a few others and hit the pool with drinks in hand...and it was great talking to some ole time Jeepers and get some of the history of the area.