Anza-Borrego Desert Part - 2

BryanG

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2016
Messages
67
Continuation of part - 1

DAY 3
After enjoying the early morning howls of the coyote in the wash we got up and set out for the south end of the park. The goal was to reach a place called "Indian Hill". Now we had read online that the outcropping marked Indian Hill on the Tom Harrison map was not the actual site. We really only knew that it was west of the old railroad tracks, so we had some exploring to do.

DSC_0340.JPG
Shot of the old railroad tracks, which are apparently going to be put back in use sometime in the near future.

DSC_0360.JPG
Placed in 1931

DSC_0423.JPG

DSC_0365.JPG
Juniper with some berries

After some exploring we found some interesting rock formations on the far side of the flat

DSC_0367.JPG DSC_0368.JPG

But alas, not what we were looking for. So we re-traced our steps and started over fresh. We decided to head for a rock outcropping that was tucked away behind the west ridge we were exploring. When we came upon in, we knew it was the "real" Indian Hill.

DSC_0373.JPG
The outcropping is MUCH bigger than in looks in the picture. Wish I would have someone stand close for a reference point. The prominent rock in the center of the picture is where the cave in the following picture is located.

DSC_0374.JPG
This cave was about 4 feet high at the highest point. When we saw that the roof was smoke-blackened, we knew this was the right place.

We started to see mortars but could not find the pictographs we had heard about. All we knew is that they were located in sheltered alcoves. She we looked high and low.

DSC_0377.JPG DSC_0401.JPG
Kumeyaay Indian fertility symbols.

DSC_0403.JPG
nice natural shelf. I can just imagine a Native American olla filled with seeds or water being placed here

DSC_0390.JPG
View from the top of the outcropping.

After searching everywhere for pictographs and finding none, we decided to sit in the shade each some lunch before heading back to the car.

DSC_0409.JPG

After dinner and the stars came out I decided to try my hand at some night sky photography. Unfortunately, my novice skills don't do the desert sky any justice.

DSC_0437.JPG DSC_0449.JPG

DAY 4
On our final day we decided to head up to the end of pinion wash and climb up to Hapaha Flat, the site of one of the largest seasonal Indian encampments in the Anza-Borrego region. We first had to do some boulder hopping, followed by some route finding which lead us to a 4x4 road and up onto the Flat.

DSC_0454.JPG
Entering Hapaha Flat from the 4x4 road

DSC_0462.JPG
DSC_0466.JPG
View the Flat

DSC_0469.JPG
Split Rock. A site of ceremonial significance and also houses some pictographs

DSC_0474.JPG DSC_0475.JPG DSC_0477.JPG

Until next time Anza-Borrego....
DSC_0435.JPG
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0484.JPG
    DSC_0484.JPG
    100.2 KB · Views: 12
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
BryanG Anza-Borrego Desert Part - 1 Hiking & Camping 4
Dave Anza Borrego Desert, October 2013 Off Road 10
Tim Valentine MTB: Anza to Borrego Springs Everything Else 2
Tim Valentine Bikepacking Anza Borrego Everything Else 16
BryanG Start of the bloom in Anza-Borrego SP Hiking & Camping 2
Mike Jones Anza Borrego (Coyote Canyon) Off Road 0
regehr desert plants that indicate former inhabitation General Discussion 15
S Desert Hiking Footwear Gear 22
Ugly Winter Desert Wanderings 2021-2022 Backpacking 12
SteveR Delaying Winter-A November Desert Trip. Hiking & Camping 6
J Pahranagat, Desert NWR, and Arrow Canyon Range to start Nov. 2021 Desert time Hiking & Camping 6
WasatchWill A Trip to the Desert to Escape the Summer Heat Backpacking 9
J More fine and aesthetic desert summits scrambles Dec. 1-3, 2020 Hiking & Camping 2
J Footlose and unfocused in the Mojave and Sonoran Desert Dec. 8-10, 2020 Hiking & Camping 2
J On to towers of the Sonoran Desert with friends; Nov 21-30, 2020 Hiking & Camping 6
J N. Mojave Desert Rambles and Scrambles (start of 40 desert days) Nov. 14-20, 2020 Hiking & Camping 4
stretch Idaho Centennial Trail to Oregon Desert Trail Backpacking 23
Stephanie B Our Intro to the Red Desert, September 14 - 16, 2020 Hiking & Camping 4
andyjaggy Bikepacking West Desert Trip Planning 16
SteveR Desert Roadtrip 2019 Hiking & Camping 4
TrektheWorld Salt Creek - Needles or other options in the Utah desert Trip Planning 4
Jackson Walking Along a Nice Creek in the Desert Backpacking 28
stevecochranephotography Desert Winter Run Off - Big Dominguez Canyon Hiking & Camping 2
regehr touring bike for the desert? Gear 9
canadug Spring Break in the Mojave Desert Hiking & Camping 4
J Desert mylar General Discussion 14
JDWalters Access to Escalante River/Lake Powell near Cathedral in the Desert Trip Planning 7
Mikjik86 Desert Canyon/Water Shoes? Gear 9
DrNed Ideas For 1 Night Backpacking In Utah Desert? Trip Planning 10
Titans 3 week Arizona road trip: Tucson Desert Rain & Hiking SAGUARO NP Hiking & Camping 1
blueeyes West Desert Bikepacking Everything Else 13
IntrepidXJ Desert or Mountains? General Discussion 43
westy Anywhere, Mojave Desert Hiking & Camping 3
Wanderlust073 Winter in the desert Gear 16
TrektheWorld Meetup in the desert Thanksgiving week? Meet Up (Members Only) 1
SteveR Desert Roadtrip 2017 Hiking & Camping 13
Perry West Utah Desert Hiking Opportunities? Trip Planning 7
Perry New to Desert Hiking... Any Advice? General Discussion 8
SteveR Canucks in the desert-an October Utah trip Hiking & Camping 8
Scott Chandler A Return to Desert: Little Wild Horse Hiking & Camping 7
Vegan.Hiker Desert noobs visit Zion and the North Rim Hiking & Camping 28
Nick Desert Magazine 1963: Lake Powell General Discussion 10
Hurakan Dogs In The Desert. General Discussion 11
Bob Cathedral of the Desert Canyoneering 1
Kullaberg63 Clark Mountain - a remote California desert peak. Hiking & Camping 6
Bob Cathedral of the Desert, Clear Creek - Top Access Resource Discussions 5
hatchcanyon Cathedral in the Desert On The Water 17
Christian A Desert that's as sculptured as the Colorado Plateau General Discussion 2
Nick Cathedral in the Desert On The Water 18
Nick Invite New Years Eve in the desert Meet Up (Members Only) 40

Similar threads

Back
Top