Re: Coyote Canyon from Anza to Desert Floor now Open
Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net.
The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > PS: > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza DOWN > it is a different world. > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" diet > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the desert > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > route > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn Sheep > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > from > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > closed > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > the > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only water > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected motor > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > Motor > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could not > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the canyon, > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > water, > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > keep > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > from > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked very > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, and > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that blocked > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the same > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > envasive and dense. > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > what > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come to > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > information. > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late '90s, > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I think) > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went in > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > quality > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past the > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that point. > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the desert, > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting in > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute back > to > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from Borrego, > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > it > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to smell > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza to > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the bottom > of > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > not > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until 2:00AM > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > the > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road that > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > similar), > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > the > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually come > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but Coyote > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > open. > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > rides > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of you > > on > > > the trail. > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > |
Re: Coyote Canyon from Anza to Desert Floor now Open
Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net.
The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > PS: > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza DOWN > it is a different world. > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" diet > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the desert > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > route > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn Sheep > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > from > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > closed > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > the > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only water > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected motor > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > Motor > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could not > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the canyon, > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > water, > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > keep > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > from > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked very > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, and > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that blocked > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the same > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > envasive and dense. > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > what > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come to > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > information. > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late '90s, > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I think) > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went in > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > quality > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past the > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that point. > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the desert, > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting in > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute back > to > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from Borrego, > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > it > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to smell > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza to > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the bottom > of > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > not > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until 2:00AM > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > the > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road that > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > similar), > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > the > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually come > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but Coyote > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > open. > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > rides > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of you > > on > > > the trail. > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > |
Re: Coyote Canyon from Anza to Desert Floor now Open
Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net.
The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > PS: > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza DOWN > it is a different world. > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" diet > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the desert > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > route > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn Sheep > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > from > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > closed > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > the > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only water > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected motor > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > Motor > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could not > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the canyon, > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > water, > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > keep > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > from > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked very > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, and > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that blocked > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the same > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > envasive and dense. > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > what > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come to > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > information. > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late '90s, > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I think) > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went in > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > quality > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past the > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that point. > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the desert, > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting in > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute back > to > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from Borrego, > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > it > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to smell > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza to > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the bottom > of > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > not > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until 2:00AM > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > the > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road that > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > similar), > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > the > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually come > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but Coyote > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > open. > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > rides > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of you > > on > > > the trail. > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > -- > > > Regards, > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > |
Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was
perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we have Jeep chicks. I hope this clarifies the situation. "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:vo8or9jth4lg04@corp.supernews.com... > Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net. > > The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. > > Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work > is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 > months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including > about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > > PS: > > > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza > DOWN > > it is a different world. > > > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" > diet > > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the > desert > > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > > route > > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn > Sheep > > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > > from > > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > > closed > > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > > the > > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only > water > > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected > motor > > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > > Motor > > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could > not > > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the > canyon, > > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > > water, > > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > > keep > > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > > from > > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked > very > > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, > and > > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that > blocked > > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the > same > > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > > envasive and dense. > > > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > > what > > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come > to > > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > > information. > > > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late > '90s, > > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I > think) > > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went > in > > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > > quality > > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past > the > > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that > point. > > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the > desert, > > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting > in > > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute > back > > to > > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from > Borrego, > > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > > it > > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to > smell > > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza > to > > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the > bottom > > of > > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > > not > > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until > 2:00AM > > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > > the > > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road > that > > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > > similar), > > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > > the > > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually > come > > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but > Coyote > > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > > open. > > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > > rides > > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of > you > > > on > > > > the trail. > > > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > > -- > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > |
Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was
perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we have Jeep chicks. I hope this clarifies the situation. "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:vo8or9jth4lg04@corp.supernews.com... > Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net. > > The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. > > Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work > is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 > months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including > about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > > PS: > > > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza > DOWN > > it is a different world. > > > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" > diet > > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the > desert > > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > > route > > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn > Sheep > > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > > from > > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > > closed > > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > > the > > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only > water > > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected > motor > > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > > Motor > > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could > not > > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the > canyon, > > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > > water, > > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > > keep > > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > > from > > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked > very > > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, > and > > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that > blocked > > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the > same > > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > > envasive and dense. > > > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > > what > > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come > to > > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > > information. > > > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late > '90s, > > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I > think) > > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went > in > > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > > quality > > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past > the > > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that > point. > > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the > desert, > > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting > in > > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute > back > > to > > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from > Borrego, > > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > > it > > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to > smell > > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza > to > > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the > bottom > > of > > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > > not > > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until > 2:00AM > > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > > the > > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road > that > > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > > similar), > > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > > the > > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually > come > > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but > Coyote > > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > > open. > > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > > rides > > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of > you > > > on > > > > the trail. > > > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > > -- > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > |
Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was
perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we have Jeep chicks. I hope this clarifies the situation. "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:vo8or9jth4lg04@corp.supernews.com... > Try jstrickland at ez2 dot net. > > The other emails are poor disguises that only fool the spambots. > > Jeff is refinancing home loans these days. The money is good, and the work > is available on a steady basis. The high tech jobs let me down twice in 18 > months, and I spent 12 months looking for more high tech jobs, including > about 6 months trying to sell a high tech product to low tech clients. > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > news:jrKgb.2089$dn6.352@newsread4.news.pas.earthli nk.net... > > PS: > > > > My recommending the trip from the north is not related to my own personal > > habitat. The drive from Anza Borrego UP is tame and crowded. From Anza > DOWN > > it is a different world. > > > > Last time I saw Jeff, and that was too long ago, he was on a "no beer" > diet > > so what is this with beerman@yahoo.com? > > > > > > "Jeff Strickland" <beerman@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:vo5vbuk51og46f@corp.supernews.com... > > > My humble suggestion is to start at the bottom of the canyon on the > desert > > > floor and make your way up the canyon to Anza. > > > > > > The Anza Borrego Desert State Park offers abundant desert camping. The > > route > > > throught Coyote Canyon has long been closed to protect the Big Horn > Sheep > > > habitat that the route passes through. The route was closed seasonally > > from > > > June through September for many years, but in about '97 or '98 it was > > closed > > > year around. The entire route was not closed, only the section known as > > the > > > Middle Willows was closed. The Middle Willows is virtually the only > water > > > source for the sheep herds for many miles. The closure only affected > motor > > > vehicles, bikes and hikers were still allowed to traverse the canyon. > > Motor > > > vehicles could go up from the bottom and down from the top, but could > not > > > pass through the Middle Willows. There are three willow along the > canyon, > > > Lower, Middle, and Upper. The middle has by far the largest amount of > > water, > > > and is the most remote of the three sites. The protection effort was to > > keep > > > vehicles out of the area so that the lambs would not be frightened away > > from > > > the only water source for miles around. The seasonal closures worked > very > > > well, but the tree huggers lobbied for and got a year around closure. A > > > problem quickly developed, the vehicles kept the willows thinned out, > and > > > the lambs could get to the water, but the year around closure that > blocked > > > the vehicles quickly allowed the area to become so overgrown that people > > > walking had extreme difficulty in getting through. The lambs have the > same > > > problem, they can not reach the water because the brush has become so > > > envasive and dense. > > > > > > Mike Stevens seems to be saying that the trail is open now, but the last > > > time I was there, there was a locked gate in January. I am not arguing > > what > > > Mike is reporting, but what he is saying is counter to what I have come > to > > > know about the area. Clearly, I could be the wrong party with outdated > > > information. > > > > > > The trail was, in Bill's day, passable with 2WD. In the mid to late > '90s, > > > the trail above the Lower Willows was washed away by floods, and (I > think) > > > damaged by a land slide caused by an earthquake. The Park Service went > in > > > and created a Bypass (actual name of the section of trail) that is a > > > boulder-strewn section of steep grade. It definitely takes 4WD to get > > > through today, and some 4WDs will get stuck to the point of spending > > quality > > > time on the end of a winch cable, but I digress. I have not been past > the > > > Middle Willows, so I am not familiar with the section(s) above that > point. > > > If I was gonna run Coyote Canyon, I think I would tent camp in the > desert, > > > and make the run up the canyon and exit in Anza. Mike suggests starting > in > > > Anza, but he lives there, so his view is understandable. The commute > back > > to > > > civilization from Anza is slightely easier than the commute from > Borrego, > > > but getting into Borrego to camp can be a long drive. Basically, I think > > it > > > takes about 6 hours to go through the canyon one way, with stops to > smell > > > the cacti along the way. If I am right, it would be a rather long day to > > > make the trip twice, and it is about 80 miles on the highway from Anza > to > > > Borrego Springs, so parking the motorhome at either the top of the > bottom > > of > > > the canyon will lead to an hour or so of driving to get back to it after > > > making the run through the canyon. > > > > > > Visitors from the San Diego area can easily make the trip from home and > > not > > > spend th enight camping, but drinking beer and smoking cigars until > 2:00AM > > > is a large part of rock crawling. Make your way to Borrego Springs. From > > the > > > traffic circle in the middle of town, porceed out of town on the road > that > > > goes to the Salton Sea. go about a mile or two to Di Gigorigio (or > > similar), > > > and turn LEFT. Proceed to the end of the pavement where the entrance to > > the > > > park is. Follow the only route that is there, and you will eventually > come > > > out in Anza along Highway 341 between Highways 79 and 74. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > "Michael Stevens" <michaelhowardstevens@earthlink.net> wrote in message > > > news:mR4gb.4052$Qy2.2076@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net... > > > > Been hibernating with house projects and visitors this summer but > Coyote > > > > Canyon from Anza (California) at 4000' down to the desert floor is now > > > open. > > > > It shuts in the summer for Pronghorn sheep breeding. One of the best > > rides > > > > around so I'll be back there soon and would be happy to meet many of > you > > > on > > > > the trail. > > > > > > > > If you are in southern California I urge you check this out. > > > > -- > > > > Regards, > > > > > > > > Mike Stevens > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > |
Re: Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
Bummer! I thought I heard somewhere they were planning to open it
up, as it definitely a treat to drive the length, knowing you're following the foot steps of Anza. Maybe, it's good that it's closed, as I remember the farmers graze their cattle there, but I'll say again, the Jeepers today have really missed a treat. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/ Michael Stevens wrote: > > This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was > perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am > at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run > as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for > its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and > geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its > elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into > Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and > the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might > open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort > here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. > > Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled > by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the > San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles > North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs > State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. > > Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and > Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of > the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also > abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods > dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over > the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road > between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the > North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users > (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post > specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows > to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible > from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this > section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the > 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. > > A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru > traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego > Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also > visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route > and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. > Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to > discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the > trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The > Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, > Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored > and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for > persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the > Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who > was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the > first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is > Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to > the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we > have Jeep chicks. > > I hope this clarifies the situation. |
Re: Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
Bummer! I thought I heard somewhere they were planning to open it
up, as it definitely a treat to drive the length, knowing you're following the foot steps of Anza. Maybe, it's good that it's closed, as I remember the farmers graze their cattle there, but I'll say again, the Jeepers today have really missed a treat. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/ Michael Stevens wrote: > > This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was > perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am > at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run > as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for > its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and > geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its > elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into > Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and > the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might > open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort > here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. > > Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled > by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the > San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles > North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs > State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. > > Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and > Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of > the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also > abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods > dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over > the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road > between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the > North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users > (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post > specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows > to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible > from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this > section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the > 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. > > A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru > traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego > Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also > visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route > and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. > Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to > discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the > trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The > Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, > Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored > and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for > persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the > Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who > was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the > first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is > Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to > the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we > have Jeep chicks. > > I hope this clarifies the situation. |
Re: Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
Bummer! I thought I heard somewhere they were planning to open it
up, as it definitely a treat to drive the length, knowing you're following the foot steps of Anza. Maybe, it's good that it's closed, as I remember the farmers graze their cattle there, but I'll say again, the Jeepers today have really missed a treat. God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/ Michael Stevens wrote: > > This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was > perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am > at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run > as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for > its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and > geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its > elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into > Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and > the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might > open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort > here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. > > Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled > by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the > San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles > North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs > State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. > > Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and > Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of > the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also > abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods > dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over > the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road > between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the > North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users > (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post > specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows > to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible > from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this > section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the > 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. > > A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru > traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego > Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also > visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route > and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. > Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to > discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the > trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The > Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, > Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored > and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for > persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the > Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who > was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the > first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is > Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to > the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we > have Jeep chicks. > > I hope this clarifies the situation. |
Re: Coyote Canyon Confusion Clearly Countered
Bill: There is no grazing there now. If you live near Anza you might have
heard the story of the canyons stolen wild horses. Up until this summer there was a herd of about 35 wild horse living in the top part of the canyon. It appears the park manager made a deal with a well-known local snake oil salesman to round them up and take them for personal property. Considerable local anger existed but the park policy now is to remove all non indigenous livestock. I have not been down the canyon this year yet and would like some company. We really should organize a weekend ride spending Saturday night at the Willows for a BBQ. "L.W. (ßill) ------ III" <----------@cox.net> wrote in message news:3F8494E3.F415982E@cox.net... > Bummer! I thought I heard somewhere they were planning to open it > up, as it definitely a treat to drive the length, knowing you're > following the foot steps of Anza. Maybe, it's good that it's closed, as > I remember the farmers graze their cattle there, but I'll say again, the > Jeepers today have really missed a treat. > God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/ > > Michael Stevens wrote: > > > > This post originally entitled "Coyote Canyon now Open to Desert Floor" was > > perhaps deceptive in its title as it has led to confusion and if indeed I am > > at fault I apologize for my lack of exactness. Loving the Coyote Canyon run > > as much as I do, not solely because of its local to my own habitat, but for > > its archaeological and historical significance, its geographical and > > geological beauty, its unique riparian habitats, its demanding trail, its > > elevation changes of over 4000' and its vistas of plains stretching into > > Mexico framed by the Santa Rosa mountains, its versified array of cacti and > > the possibility of fatal collision with pronghorn sheep whose demise might > > open the Willows wetland to some good mud jeeping, I will take the effort > > here to expand on my post taking pains to be more clear and coherent. > > > > Coyote Canyon is within the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province controlled > > by the San Jacinto fault. The creek bed that follows the fault separates the > > San Ysidro and the Santa Rosa mountain ranges. The canyon extends 36 miles > > North-West from Borrego Springs, a town in the center of Borrego Springs > > State Park in San Diego County to Anza in Riverside County. > > > > Three clusters (as Jeff said) of desert willow, know as Lower, Middle and > > Upper Willows are found along the year-round Coyote Creek in the central of > > the canyon. California fan palms, cottonwoods, mesquite and acacia are also > > abundant. The route along the creek bed is not static. Summer floods > > dramatically alter the shape and route of the road near the Willows and over > > the rugged side trail into Collins Valley. A 3.1 mile segment of the road > > between Upper and Middle Willows is permanently closed to vehicles. Also the > > North-West (top) half of the canyon above the Willows is closed to all users > > (even hiking Sierra Club members) from June 1 to September 30. My post > > specifically related to the northern part of the canyon from Upper Willows > > to Anza. Because of the closures noted above this trail is only accessible > > from Anza and then only from October 1 thru the end of May. It is this > > section that opened just last week. I am sorry if I led some to think the > > 3.1 miles Willows section was open. It is not. > > > > A benefit of the closure of the Willows is to have completely stopped thru > > traffic. Before the Willows was closed a "round trip" existed from Borrego > > Springs to Warner Springs, Aguanga, Anza and back to Borrego Springs. Also > > visitors to Borrego Springs coming from Palm Springs might use this route > > and at one time this Jeep trail was maintained and passable by pickup truck. > > Today not only is the road not maintained the park service seem to > > discourage passage and do not repair even major washouts. This makes the > > trail demanding and deserted. Points of interest along the trail include The > > Anza Monument, Nance Canyon, Turkey Track Canyon, Tule Canyon, Horse Canyon, > > Alder Canyon, Fig Tree Valley and Bailey's Cabin. Bailey's cabin is restored > > and is kept stocked by visiting Jeep groups with emergency food supplies for > > persons who get stranded. The Anza monument honors Juan Bautista de Anza the > > Spanish captain of the epic 1775 expedition from Mexico to San Francisco who > > was the first non-native to pass through the canyon as well as being the > > first European to enter California by land. The name "Borrego" of course is > > Spanish for sheep and the combined name "Anza-Borrego" probably relates to > > the lack of women Anza took with him on his journey. Today, thankfully we > > have Jeep chicks. > > > > I hope this clarifies the situation. |
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