Anza Borrego, weekend of 3/12-3/13?

[AKmoney]

I have to be in San Diego/Rancho Bernardo area for work first thing the morning of Monday 3/14 so I'm thinking about heading down early on the preceding Saturday (3/12) to Anza Borrego and camping out somewhere that night. Then stick around on Sunday before I head in to SD where I'll grab a hotel on Sunday night. I'd be up for most stuff that isn't too gnarly - I can't be talked into doing Pinyon Mountain Trail (the one with The Squeeze and Heart Attack Hill) but I'm up for checking out slot canyons and finding a sweet campsite.

Just throwing it out there to see if it sticks... I'd likely be going with a buddy of mine who has a mostly stock Nissan Frontier 4x4.

 

[85straight]

Kinda last minute but I'll be out camping at little blair valley saturday night and doing a bit of driving Sunday then heading home. I plan on dropping down diablo drop off into fish creek and doing some exploring( very easy route ive done many times with the family and all). So at the end of the day ill end up on 78 next to the svra, then heading west to leave.

 

[jwhit88]

I just camped at Culp Valley Campground Saturday night. Headed down into Anza and ended up going into Fish Creek for some exploring. It was my first time in the park but it was crazy PACKED. Still had fun and plan to head back at some point for more camping and wheeling.

 

[85straight]

Culp valley is on my radar for sure during the warmer months, but seeing as though temps have dropped a little for now ill camp a bit closer to the valley floor. Fish creek is usually pretty busy on the weekends. Went for a run on new years day..if you can handle that crowd you can handle anything haha.

How was culp valley? Also packed

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Kinda last minute but I'll be out camping at little blair valley saturday night and doing a bit of driving Sunday then heading home. I plan on dropping down diablo drop off into fish creek and doing some exploring( very easy route ive done many times with the family and all). So at the end of the day ill end up on 78 next to the svra, then heading west to leave.

I just got back from camping at Blair Valley. No fire pits anywhere and no ground fires allowed so if you go to Little Blair Valley plan on bringing your own fire pit. There's nowhere to dump trash either so make sure you pack accordingly.

 

[jwhit88]

Culp valley is on my radar for sure during the warmer months, but seeing as though temps have dropped a little for now ill camp a bit closer to the valley floor. Fish creek is usually pretty busy on the weekends. Went for a run on new years day..if you can handle that crowd you can handle anything haha.

How was culp valley? Also packed

Hahaha I could only imagine what fish creek is like on new years day!

Culp Valley Campground was great. I actually went to fish creek to try and snag a spot early Saturday morning but it wasn't gonna happen. I explored around then went back up and found a great campsite right before dark at Culp Valley. Lots of big boulders and plants that let you have some privacy from other campers. There are no firepits there and you need a metal container if you want a fire.

 

[85straight]

I just got back from camping at Blair Valley. No fire pits anywhere and no ground fires allowed so if you go to Little Blair Valley plan on bringing your own fire pit. There's nowhere to dump trash either so make sure you pack accordingly.

I almost exclusively camp in primitive sites so ive become used to pack it in, pack it out etc . Camped at blair a few times also, did you have trouble finding a spot?

 

[Dezert4Runner]

We showed up Sat around 10am and there was still a few to choose from. The spot we got was campsite #1, which is about a mile east of S2.

 

[85straight]

[MENTION=84801]AKmoney[/MENTION] , are you still heading out this weekend?

 

[AKmoney]

[MENTION=84801]AKmoney[/MENTION] , are you still heading out this weekend?

Yep, still planning on going. I don't have any specifics squared away as of yet. Been swamped with work...

I've already camped in Blair Valley. I'd like to try somewhere else. When I visited Coyote Canyon a few weeks ago and drove by the Sheep Canyon campground I remember thinking that would be an awesome place to set up camp. But I'm also thinking something near Fish Creek since I have yet to visit that section of the park.

 

[AKmoney]

Yep, still planning on going. I don't have any specifics squared away as of yet. Been swamped with work...

I've already camped in Blair Valley. I'd like to try somewhere else. When I visited Coyote Canyon a few weeks ago and drove by the Sheep Canyon campground I remember thinking that would be an awesome place to set up camp. But I'm also thinking something near Fish Creek since I have yet to visit that section of the park.

BTW - it seems as of some of these campsites (perhaps especially Fish Creek) fill up early... Any recommendations?? Coyote/Sheep Canyon seemed all but deserted, but he only way to get there is to drive through this (which may explain it):

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I was talking about possibly camping at Sheep Canyon at some point when we were on our way out to Blair Valley this last Saturday. Thinking about how remote it is now is appealing, but a bit intimidating when going solo. Looking forward to a trip report if you end up going there. I think that's next on our list.

 

[85straight]

That looks like a fun little section enough to keep most pavement pounders at bay haha. You have any pics of the camp area, much flat ground for tents or?

 

[85straight]

I was talking about possibly camping at Sheep Canyon at some point when we were on our way out to Blair Valley this last Saturday. Thinking about how remote it is now is appealing, but a bit intimidating when going solo. Looking forward to a trip report if you end up going there. I think that's next on our list.

If thats the worst section of the trail pictured above anyone with half a brain would be fine going solo

 

[AKmoney]

If thats the worst section of the trail pictured above anyone with half a brain would be fine going solo

Here's a video I made of the ascent up the rocky section to Coyote Canyon / Sheep Canyon. I have to warn you though.....it's extremely boring.

 

[AKmoney]

That looks like a fun little section enough to keep most pavement pounders at bay haha. You have any pics of the camp area, much flat ground for tents or?

I wish I got some good pictures of the campsite but I didn't... The guidebook says it does have pit toilets so it can't be too 'uncomfortable'.

Here's the exact location of Sheep Canyon campsite:
https://goo.gl/maps/oKLvxGu8FVQ2

When I was there a few weekends ago the one thing I remember about the area was the silence... and the occasional F-16 roaring through.

 

[Oneluv13T4R]

[MENTION=77357]85straight[/MENTION] [MENTION=84801]AKmoney[/MENTION]

Sheep Canyon has toilets 3 of them and I believe there is 5 camp sites also with tables and fire pits. They are nice secluded spots back in a little cove (sheep canyon), there's a box to drop your fee into I believe and its 10 or 15 bucks. The toilets are literally a hole with a buck and a toilet seat attached no different than using an Andy Gump Except these are stacked rock and mortar walls with wooden doors and no roof/ceiling. I normally don't like to pay to camp but these are an exception, cool quite and very secluded. And to the left if driving towards sheep canyon there is a lil dirt parking area for a couple hiking trail heads I think one is called mountain lion pass also known for finding Indian artifacts but just 50 yards in and about 200 yards from campsites there is a creek that runs north to south in the middle area usually with a decent amount year round.
And yes jets pass through there low at times and sometimes if noticed they may swing back to give you a buzz, pretty cool place.

 

[4RunAmok]

BTW - it seems as of some of these campsites (perhaps especially Fish Creek) fill up early... Any recommendations?? Coyote/Sheep Canyon seemed all but deserted, but he only way to get there is to drive through this (which may explain it):

I was talking about possibly camping at Sheep Canyon at some point when we were on our way out to Blair Valley this last Saturday. Thinking about how remote it is now is appealing, but a bit intimidating when going solo. Looking forward to a trip report if you end up going there. I think that's next on our list.

Sheep Canyon is one of my favorite spots out there! It's not intimidating solo once you've been there.

It's a $10 fee, cash only, drop box is located a couple hundred feet from the campsites at the Y in the road. The Rangers DO drive out and check, so be prepared.

We've been there when it's been busy (some loud neighbors once), and been the only ones there too!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Not intimidating as far as the rock garden or remoteness in particular, but those factors along with breaking something I can't fix on the spot and having my family / dogs with me. More of worst case scenario paranoia! Got my next couple weekends spoken for but hopefully make it out there at the end of March/ beginning of April, weather permitting.

 

[AKmoney]

My friend and I are still waffling over what trails we want to do... We're talking about Canon Sin Nombre / Arroyo Tapiado / Arroyo Seco del Diablo. Not sure where to camp, though. Sheep Canyon isn't exactly close to those spots.