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Off-Road Trails: Exploring State-Owned Lands, Part II

Apr. 28, 2015 By Kevin Blumer
 

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Ocotillo Wells SVRA Exploration, Part II

The front edge of a storm blew in as we rested in the Palm Canyon Campground. A flapping tent does not a good night’s sleep make!

Dave and Matt pore over the map, charting a route for our final day. Dan’s catching a few winks.

The trail to Font’s Point lives up to its billing...

...The sand en route to Font's Point will sink you. Both our vehicles were equipped with BFGoodrich All-Terrain tires which provide excellent floatation in soft, sandy terrain. Both vehicles run about 40 psi on the street (with 16- and 17-inch wheels). We aired down to the mid-20 psi range for even better performance in the sand. Rock crawling commonly calls for single-digit air pressure, but if you go this low without beadlocks you’ll risk unseating the tire beads.

Font’s Point provides an excellent view of the Borrego Badlands, as well as views of Ocotillo Wells and Borrego Springs.

The trail system in the Borrego Badlands is well marked with signage, but you’re still better off carrying a map and/or using a GPS. The multiple twists and turns can get confusing.

These trails can get busy on the weekends, especially during the cooler months. We had the place almost to ourselves on this weekday.

Vista Del Malpais is another vantage point for viewing the Borrego Badlands. San Felipe Wash is off in the distance. It’s one of the main trails in Ocotillo Wells SVRA.

We eventually came to the intersection of Cut-Across Trail and Bank Wash. We followed Bank Wash to East Bank Wash, which led to Pumpkin Patch Trail.

Pumpkin Patch Trail is flat and easy, and then it’s tight and twisty. This part of Ocotillo Wells is an open-travel area, so there are plenty of intersecting tracks. Stay on the beaten path and you’ll make it to the main event.

The Pumpkin Patch is the main draw on trail. It is fenced off from vehicular travel, so you’ll have to walk in to explore further. It’s worth it.

Each “pumpkin” on Pumpkin Patch trail starts with a “seed” which is usually a small piece of debris. Over the years (millennia, really) river sediment gradually stuck to the seed in layers until it formed the pumpkin.

Our last hurrah was to follow the sweeping turns of Tule Wash until it intersected Highway 86. East of Poleline Road, you’ll need to stay on designated roads and trails. Again, a map is a must. Left to right: Charlie Brown (a.k.a. Dan Bergin), Kevin Blumer, Dave Cawley, Matt Cawley.

We were soon joined by a like-minded group of SVT Raptors. With cool temps and excellent traction it was a perfect day to be in the dirt.

The same storm that ripped the ruts into Diablo Dropoff also flooded Tule Wash. Judging by the height of the left-behind branches it was a powerful flood. Off-roading in badlands areas and dry washes also brings the risk of being caught in flash floods. Be aware, stay smart and you’ll come home safely.

This is the Powertank that helped unstick us on Diablo Dropoff. Airing up at the end of a trip is always bittersweet. The Powertank makes quick work of airing up, so that’s the sweet part. The bitter part comes with realizing the trip’s over: time to start planning the next one.

Special thanks: Certified Fire Extinguisher in Whittier, CA, is our local go-to place for Powertank refills and fire extinguisher service. Certified's crew has taken great care of us since day one, and they can be reached at 562/692-5637.

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