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Sweeping vistas of desert badlands and a narrow winding wash.


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Map Key

11.8

Miles

19.0

KM

Loop

1,258' 384 m

High

660' 201 m

Low

925' 282 m

Up

925' 282 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Overview

Some claim Font's Point is the best view in the Anza-Borrego desert. To get here, head east from Borrego Springs on S-22 for ten miles. Right after the 29-mile marker, at 33.303442, -116.239081, head south for four miles along a sandy wash, 4WD highly recommended. If you are just coming for the view, shoot for sunrise or sunset or at least the low angle light near either.

Description

For an easy and short hike, head east following the rim for about two miles following a faint trail, and return. More adventuresome folks can make a loop of it as shown by gradually descending, staying on ridges, before dropping into the narrow washes of the badlands. Depending on exactly how you drop in you might have to do a bit of scooching on your bottom to get down safely. This entails a small risk and isn't recommended solo; there probably isn't cell phone reception and even if there is it might not work at the bottom of a wash if you get hurt.

Once you reach the large east-west running Short Wash, you can simply follow it west for a shorter loop. But it is more interesting to follow Short Wash east until you just about reach the north-south running Palo Verde Wash briefly to catch the narrower wash running northwest at the midsection of the loop, 5.2 miles into the loop. This wash contains the collapsed mud bridge mentioned in one of the two Robin Halford Hiking Anza Borrego Desert books at 33.28248387, -116.19429673. The wash narrows to a slot canyon and ascends, emptying out near a dirt road that meets S22 at 33.302683, -116.197970, just over a mile away, making it a good alternative starting point for this loop hike.

From this northernmost point, strike across the desert 3.6 miles to finish the loop. The exact route doesn't matter much but stay east of the short but steep cliffs that end at 33.277350, -116.213760. South of these cliffs, it is easiest to follow the wash southwest and south as shown.

The recommended season is November to April when the desert is cooler.

Flora & Fauna

Ocotillo.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew Kidd

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 2 votes

#4129

Overall
  4.0 from 2 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#576

in California

#4,129

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Photos

Two hikers descend into the badlands near Font's Point.
Apr 5, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
Hikers crossing the desert to Fonts Point.
Apr 5, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
Hikers approaching Font's Point on the rim trail.
Apr 5, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
View north of the Thimble Trail / vehicle track
Apr 9, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
Wash in Anza-Borrego State Park.
Apr 5, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
Cliffs northeast of Fonts Point.
Apr 5, 2018 near Borrego…, CA

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Apr 13, 2018
Michael Capelle
Don’t go without a GPS and spare batteries! 8.7mi
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