The weather has been great in So California lately so head out to the desert for a Veterans Day Holiday campout in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Camp base will be primitive off road camping up Indian Gorge (directions below) with no or little people around so can wear as little as you wish, weather permittng.  This is throw down primitive camping with no water or facilities.  Bring plenty for all drinking and cleaning needs. No toilets on site and in the spirit of “leave no trace” bring a portable toilet or means to bag and carry out all waste. The campground up the road at bit does have pit toilets.  Fires are limited to containers, so campers must bring containers if you wish a fire and haul out all debris.  Bring small sized fire wood.   

 Friday Nov 9 or Saturday  Nov 10  Drive out to campsite (see directions below), be sure to stop at “Desert View Tower” on the way out to get a great view of the desert floor below and browse the interesting ion of books and souvenirs.  To get to Desert Tower, take the In-Ko-Pah exist off I-8 east and drive east until the road ends.

Continue your journey on I-8 east to Ocotillo and north on S-2 about 18 or 19 miles to the Indian Gorge dirt road turn off between mile markers 47 and 46.   

Saturday Nov 10

After breakfast several hiking options:    

Short hike to Pictograph trail (1 ½ mile roundtrip) and then explore Canyon Sin Nombre ‘s slot canyons (about 5 miles rt).  Bring lunch and plenty of water.  

Cap the day with a visit to Agua Caliente County park for a soak in the mineral pools (charge is $7.00 per car).  Co-ed facility..sorry no nudity allowed at mineral pools unless you want to go to jail!  Visit the Agua Caliente store for visit and any supplies.  Dinner on your own. Nighttime star gazing.

Sunday Nov 11

Day hike to Arroyo Tapiado to mud canyons and slot canyons.  The trail head is down a dirt road 4.5 miles off S-2 and can be very sandy.  High clearance or 4WD is recommended by the guide books but I have seen regular cars on the sandy dirt road.  Just have to be careful of the soft sand and not get stuck. Potluck dinner that evening.

Monday Nov 12 (Veterans Day)  Perhaps a short hikes in morning, a visit to Agua Caliente for a last soak, or head back to SD the northern route via S-2 north to 78 west up the Banner Grade to visit Julian. 

Drive time is about 1.5 - 2 hrs. from San Diego. Take I-8 East out to Ocotillo, then head north on Highway S-2 into the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Go past the Carrizo Badlands/Canyon Sin Nombre turnout, past the Bow Willow and Mt. Palm Springs primitive camping turn offs and look on the left for the Indian Gorge turn off between milemarker 47 and 46.  Follow the dirt road past the Torte Canyon trail head parking area (1.8 miles) continue on and look for a primitive camping area in the bushes on the left a little ways past the Torte Canyon trail head.  If that camping area is taken before I get there, continue up Indian Gorge South Valley a little ways and there is another area good for camping there.  Look for silver Toyota Tacoma truck (the small size one) with California license ending in 911.