Hiking Project Logo

A partial loop that visits an unexpected water source.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

6.3

Miles

10.2

KM

Point to Point

2,011' 613 m

High

871' 265 m

Low

1,246' 380 m

Up

1,201' 366 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildflowers

Overview

This hike traverses both Palo Verde and Smoke Tree Canyons, crossing over a stark steep ridge. In the middle of the hike, there is a set of natural rock tanks that may be filled during wet years or at least provide an unexpectedly verdant view in an otherwise brown place.

Description

This isn't quite a loop hike. You can close it with a 1.7-mile hike along the S22 Highway, but it is more pleasant to set up a car shuttle.

Park at mile 32.9 along highway S-22 in a sandy parking area. Strike out across the desert northward across the braided Palo Verde wash. There is no trail in this section. Keep in mind that north is about forty five degrees clockwise of S-22. Avoiding straying into the smaller canyon to the northeast perpendicular to S-22, even though this feels natural. After about a mile, you'll come to Palo Verde Canyon proper, a clear cut in the mountains. The canyon gradually narrows.

At 33.314550, -116.179200, which is about 1.7 miles in (though it could be a shorter or longer depending on your route across the wash), look for a minor trail going straight up the rock on the right, marked by cairns. Follow the cairns for 1.3 miles over an old Indian trail, keeping above a small wash on your left. This will bring you to Smoke Tree Canyon.

The natural rock tanks begin at 33.319400, -116.162300, very close to the drop into Smoke Tree Canyon, the start of the northeastern spur on the loop. With tenacity, you can made it to the fifth rock tank after which it becomes challenging to proceed further. Head back and exit through Smoke Tree Canyon, a straightforward 3 miles to SR-22.

Similar to most Anza-Borrego hikes, November to April is best, but it is ideal to do this route in the spring after a period of rain.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew Kidd

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#5138

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#719

in California

#5,138

Overall
9 Views Last Month
365 Since Jul 7, 2019
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
0%

Photos

Hiking out of Smoke Tree Canyon
Jul 7, 2019 near Salton…, CA
Super bloom in Palo Verde Wash
Jul 7, 2019 near Salton…, CA
Hiking group traversing Palo Verde Wash
Jul 7, 2019 near Salton…, CA
Hikers descending into Smoke Tree Canyon on a tricky stretch of trail
Jul 7, 2019 near Desert…, CA
Third natural rock tank viewed from above
Jul 7, 2019 near Desert…, CA
Hikers at the thrid natural rock tank in the spring following a wet winter
Jul 7, 2019 near Desert…, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.