Anza-Borrego Car Camp
Friday May 3 - Sunday May 5, 1996
General Information
Come on out for a car camp in Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park. Arrive anytime after 2:00 PM on Friday (May 3),
and leave by Sunday noon. Friday night we'll just be setting up camp and
telling stories around the campfire. 
Saturday
morning, we'll have an easy dayhike to the Borrego
Palm Canyon Oasis (3 miles round trip), where we'll have lunch in an
oasis with with hundreds of fan palms and the headwaters of a small
stream nestled among soaring canyon walls. A trip description of the
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis can be found in "Afoot and Afield in San Diego
County". Hiking boots are not essential, but be sure to bring the Ten Essentials.
The camp is about a half-hour drive from the Salton Sea, which at 235 feet
below sea level is the lowest (and saltiest) of all the lakes in the USA.
The camp is also a short walk from the park's Visitor Center, where you
can see exhibits and a multi-media slide show on Anza-Borrego. The campsite
has restroom facilities, including showers.
The high may get up to 90, the low about 60. Water is available at the
Visitor Center, and other supplies are available in the town of Borrego
Springs, a short drive from camp. Dogs are allowed in the camp, but not
on the trails. Dogs must be on a leash or in your tent/car at all times.
Driving instructions
From San Diego: Take 15 to Poway Rd. Follow Poway Rd east, and turn left
onto 67. Follow 67 through Ramona (where it turns into 78 East) to Santa
Ysabel. Turn left onto 79 North, and go about 10 miles before turning right
onto S2. Go about 4 miles, then turn left at the fork onto S22. Follow
S22 to Borrego Springs, turn left on Palm Canyon Rd, and follow the signs
a short distance to the campground. Trip time is about 1.5 hours.
From LA: Take 91 East to 15 South to 79 East. Follow 79 through Ramona
to Santa Ysabel. Turn left onto 79 North, and go about 10 miles before
turning right onto S2. Go about 4 miles, then turn left at the fork onto
S22. Follow S22 to Borrego Springs, turn left on Palm Canyon Rd, and follow
the signs a short distance to the campground. Trip time is about 3.5 hours.
Other Sources Of Information
Borrego Springs Visitor Center: 619-767-4205, open daily 9-5
City of Borrego Springs: (The city webpage has moved
and I haven't found its new home.)
Topo maps: Clark Lake (15'), Borrego Palm Cyn (7.5')
Reservations
This trip is open to all XMBC members and non-members (but members get
priority and non-members must sign liability waivers). The campsite can
accomodate up to 24 persons. Contact the trip leader to reserve a spot.
John McNelly,
work 619-676-7819 (8*843-7819),
home 619-484-5575
Photos by Bruce Corning. Scanning by Xerox Majestik. Click on any picture
for a larger version.
Come on out for a car camp in Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park. Arrive anytime after 2:00 PM on Friday (May 3),
and leave by Sunday noon. Friday night we'll just be setting up camp and
telling stories around the campfire. 
Saturday
morning, we'll have an easy dayhike to the Borrego
Palm Canyon Oasis (3 miles round trip), where we'll have lunch in an
oasis with with hundreds of fan palms and the headwaters of a small
stream nestled among soaring canyon walls. A trip description of the
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis can be found in "Afoot and Afield in San Diego
County". Hiking boots are not essential, but be sure to bring the Ten Essentials.
The camp is about a half-hour drive from the Salton Sea, which at 235 feet
below sea level is the lowest (and saltiest) of all the lakes in the USA.
The camp is also a short walk from the park's Visitor Center, where you
can see exhibits and a multi-media slide show on Anza-Borrego. The campsite
has restroom facilities, including showers.