Having finished the Mission Trails 5 Peak Challenge, I discovered that the Anza-Borrego Foundation was conducting their own hiking challenge in celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Just like the MTRP Challenge, it is a series of 5 unique hikes, each requiring a selfie at a particular spot along each hike. So off to Anza-Borrego I go (oh, if I only knew what truly lay ahead for me…)
For the first hike of this challenge, I opted to go do The Slot at Borrego Mountain. I convinced Mark Better to tag along for this adventure. We found the turnoff from the highway and on to the dirt road. The car seemed a bit loose in the dirt. As we pulled into the trailhead, I discovered why, a flat rear tire. I had a spare and being such a popular trail, I was not worried about being stranded. Since it was early, why not go do the easy 1.5 or so miles through the Slot. We can deal with the tire when we get back.
With Borrego Mountain West Butte rising off to the east, we started along the trail, rising up from the parking area. Soon, the trail dips down into the canyon. Quickly we found ourselves working our way through the narrow canyon. Passing under the fallen rock, we enjoyed twisting and turning along the route. After about 3/4 mile, the canyon opened up, we hiked a bit before turning around and retracing our route.
Once back at the car, we addressed the issue of the flat tire. With a bit of digging and proper leverage, we were able to take care of changing the tire. We headed into Borrego Springs for lunch, and then the second of the planned hikes, the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and Arizona-Winter). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.