Last Minute Desert Plans

[CPT Davenport]

We were planning on heading to our place in Humboldt then up to Crescent City to visit a friend the first week of April. Weather looks like it will still be wet and we are in need of some solar power. Changing jigs and heading south! We got the last campsite at Indian Cove in Joshua Tree. We also would like to check out Borrego. Any places to boon dock out there or recommendations of CGs in Borrego?

 

[buckland]

Was there a few weeks ago. A very nice spot and easy access. Enjoy (note coordinates)

 

[rubberlegs]

We are sitting at the Elephant Tree trailhead in Anza right now. There are numerous boondocks and established campsites. During poor weather we went to Agua Caliente for some hot spring soaking.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Blair Valley has some interesting areas.

 

[SLEDAWG]

Carrizo Creek Canyon Rd and Dos Cabezos are my favorite areas on the southern end of AnzA Borrego. Goat Canyon Trestle Trailhead area off of Mortero Canyon Rd is a scenic boondocking area overlooking the wind turbines.

 

[CPT Davenport]

Thank you all for the options and suggestions! The weather is looking right and we are ready for some sun.

 

[Jack]

We were in the Mohave Preserve two days ago and are now in Anza Borrego. We had planned to go through Joshua Tree between the two, but the West Visitor Center was so mobbed we got scared off. It's spring break and Joshua Tree is mobbed by college kids and climbers.
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For us, the Mojave Preserve is as good as Joshua Tree, but without the people. We camped (dispersed) up against the New York Mountains near Caruthers Canyon - no one else going in or out. Saturday night we were at Granite Mountain and the 7 or 8 parties did not fill up all of the better dispersed sites.

Anza Borrego is not mobbed - we even got a site in the state park yesterday at 3 pm. Others have pointed out many great dispersed camping spots, many of which we have greatly enjoyed. And desert flowers are blooming!

Consider a stop in the Carrizo Plain on your way down - there may be a super-bloom. There was some color 5 days ago and if it warms up, it should get a lot better.

 

[CPT Davenport]

We were in the Mohave Preserve two days ago and are now in Anza Borrego. We had planned to go through Joshua Tree between the two, but the West Visitor Center was so mobbed we got scared off. It's spring break and Joshua Tree is mobbed by college kids and climbers.
.
For us, the Mojave Preserve is as good as Joshua Tree, but without the people. We camped (dispersed) up against the New York Mountains near Caruthers Canyon - no one else going in or out. Saturday night we were at Granite Mountain and the 7 or 8 parties did not fill up all of the better dispersed sites.

Anza Borrego is not mobbed - we even got a site in the state park yesterday at 3 pm. Others have pointed out many great dispersed camping spots, many of which we have greatly enjoyed. And desert flowers are blooming!

Consider a stop in the Carrizo Plain on your way down - there may be a super-bloom. There was some color 5 days ago and if it warms up, it should get a lot better.

Thank You Jack! I do anticipate JT to be crowded. My wife and I have never been so we will endure the masses just this one time. We have a campsite at Indian Cove for two days. On our way there we plan to stay in Anza Borrego for at least two nights. We also want to swing through Julian ( my dad always loved that place) and stay one night at lake Cuyamaca ( just called the tackle shop today and they say lake is the fullest they have ever seen it. we are also hoping to head though Big Bear ( if it is passable) and sneak a winter paddle in the lake. Thanks for the tips and tricks! We will add Carrizo to our list as well.