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A stark and difficult route with big views of the desert and the Salton Sea.


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Map Key

14.2

Miles

22.9

KM

Loop

5,303' 1,616 m

High

967' 295 m

Low

4,701' 1,433 m

Up

4,700' 1,432 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

66%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Overview

This is the Anza-Borrego in its full remote glory.

Need to Know

Dryfall at 33.347860, -116.200705 is very difficult to get around. Best to have one member in the group with some climbing experience.

Description

Living up to its name, this loop leads to 5320 ft high Mile High Mountain from nearly sea level with an average grade of 7.5 degrees. A short dip just before Mile High Mountain ensures you put in the full mile of climbing. The views of the Salton Sea and the Coachella and Imperial valleys from the top are impressive.

Good route finding skills are essential. Don't embark on this route alone. No one is out here and it might be weeks or months before you are found. The return through Rattlesnake Canyon presents some difficulties, most of which can be avoided by steep scrambles part way up the side of the canyon. The dryfall at 33.347860, -116.200705 is very difficult and time consuming to get around. Experienced climbers will easily find the short direct way down through a corkscrew shaped indentation without needing a rope and can guide other adults without experience. But if no one in your group has climbing experience it may be better to make the trip an out and back instead of a loop.

Contacts

Shared By:

Matthew Kidd

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#5086

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Recommended Route Rankings

#710

in California

#5,086

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3 Views Last Month
1,217 Since Nov 28, 2016
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Photos

Rock in Palo Verde Canyon.
Nov 28, 2016 near Desert…, CA
Palo Verde tree near where trail heads up the rocks
Jul 7, 2019 near Salton…, CA
Rattlesnake Canyon in late afternoon light.
Nov 28, 2016 near Desert…, CA
Big insect in the Anza-Borrego desert
May 1, 2018 near Borrego…, CA
Escarpment at the opening of Rattlesnake Canyon.
Nov 28, 2016 near Desert…, CA

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