On this trip Anza Borrego outing, we invited friends to join us on a hike to Borrego Palm Canyon and then finished the day with a spectacular view from Font's Point.
This was our first time to Borrego Palm Oasis and had just been waiting for an ideal weather day for this family hike. We had two additional families joining us on this hike, which included three younger kids. We hit the trail with the expectation of hiking the 1.5 miles (three miles round trip) with an approximate 800 foot elevation gain along the way, bringing along extra water and snacks. We also packed lunches for eating upon our arrival at the palm oasis.
To get to the trailhead, it is easiest to pay the $8 per vehicle visitor entrance fee at the Borrego Springs campground. You can drive straight to the trailhead, where there is plenty of parking.
The trail starts out fairly flat in the sandy wash and the trail is very easy to follow up into the canyon.
The trail starts out fairly flat in the sandy wash and the trail is very easy to follow up into the canyon.
The trail twists between the boulders along the way.
Looking back toward the trail head and parking lot with more of Anza Borrego desert in the distance.
The boulders provided fun for the kids to scramble around on.
Don't fall into the barrel cactus.
As the trail winds up the canyon, there begin to be some water crossings and eventually you can view the first signs of the palm oasis.
Arriving at the palm oasis, we spent time relaxing along the creek and taking in the sights, keeping an eye out for Big Horn Sheep, which we did not spot any of this day despite bringing along our binoculars. We made lunches and hydrated ourselves before making the 1.5 mile trek out of the canyon.
As some of our party departed down the canyon to get a head start out with the three year olds, a few of us hung around to do some more exploring in the oasis.
The goal was to scramble up the boulders to get above the oasis.
The goal was to scramble up the boulders to get above the oasis.
I was eventually able to find a path up to a point above the oasis. This is the view looking past the oasis and down the canyon trail.
And this is the view continuing up the canyon. Lots of bouldering.
Upon returning to our vehicles at the Borrego Palm Canyon trailhead, we dusted off and drove approximately 20 minutes down the road to Font's Point. At the turn off for Font's Point, there is a 4 mile sand wash that is easily driven in any stock four wheel drive SUV.
The famous Font's Point provides incredible views from this perch, looking out over the Anza Borrego badlands and all the way to the Salton Sea. Further in the distance is Mexico.
The best time to take in the view at Font's Point is sunrise or sunset, as the shadows can make for more interesting photos.
The best time to take in the view at Font's Point is sunrise or sunset, as the shadows can make for more interesting photos.
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