President's Day weekend 2014. We took the Jeep out to camp in Anza Borrego desert. Avoiding the crowds that gather in some more common parts of the desert, we decided to head up Grapevine Trail off of Highway 78. The trail is very easy and flat for the most part which allowed for traveling at faster speeds than usual. There is a nice clearing at about 1.4 miles in, but we decided to go in a little further, finding another good clearing at about 2.5 miles.
There are some information signs just off the highway, this one for Angelina Spring. Also to be seen in this part of the desert are remains from the Indians that used to inhabit these areas. There are mortreros and other artifacts if you look closely. But please don't touch.
There are some information signs just off the highway, this one for Angelina Spring. Also to be seen in this part of the desert are remains from the Indians that used to inhabit these areas. There are mortreros and other artifacts if you look closely. But please don't touch.
Grapevine trail is relatively flat and within about one mile, cellular reception dissolves and desert solitude sets in.
At about 2.5 miles in, we found a clearing that provided a level location for our tent and also a enough space to park the Jeep and set up our camp kitchen and build a camp fire on our tin trash can lid.
The kids spent time playing with their trucks and shovels. They also helped to dig out the remnants from a previous ground fire. We built our fire pit on our upside down trash can lid and reused the rocks for walls. Sometimes the cooking of s'mores can't happen soon enough, noted by the little guy with crossed arms and squinting eyes.
Daytime temperatures were pleasant, but as the sun headed further west, wind speeds increased and the temperature dropped. I always stake down the tent and it was a good idea this night as it helped to keep the tent in a solid position and limit any flappinng of the fly panels. The night time temperature eventually dropped down to 30 degrees.
As night time temperatures dropped, we stoked the fire, prepared dinner, and enjoyed s'mores.
The beauty of Anza Borrego is being able to camp anywhere, which allows for getting away from crowds of people and spending time with the family.
Cold temperatures gave reason for making hot chocolate before bedtime. We found delicious organic cocoa powder hot chocolate. Yum! And it was delicious!
Breakfast of Champions! Organic whole wheat bagel with organic peanut butter. "I'm lovin' it!"
I took the kids on a short hike up the mountain side to get a view of camp and to embrace the solitude we were able to enjoy on this beautiful weekend.
Backtracking the Grapevine trail back out to highway 78. There is also the option of continuing up Grapevine Trail and exiting out onto Montezuma Valley Road.
RSS Feed