Bonny & White Benchmarks

Today’s hike was going to summit two peaks out near Ranchita. Along with the two official peaks, two additional peaks were along our route. I had done some of this hike last week, but the main summit of White Benchmark did not happen. This time, with Ted tagging along, we headed north along the use trail near the fence defining the boundary of Anza-Borrego and the private property to the west. We passed through the shadow of Bonny as we drew closer to White. Up the ridgeline, we pushed upward.

Atop the peak, we found the benchmark with no trouble. We enjoy the views. The Thimble and San Ysidro loomed over us, but those summits were for another day. Looking back southward, Bonnie, Clyde, Chimney Rock, and Hut were spread out before us. Off to the northeast, was Goat Benchmark (somewhere…). Next along our route was Clyde. This peak was a simple scramble to the top. There is no register nor mark. But if you summit Bonny, you have to do Clyde ;).

From there we angled back toward the west to explore Chimney Rock. Neither of us are climbers, so we just marveled at this spire from its base. Ted did scramble to the top of the mound to the north of it. I stayed below for the photo op.

The use trail quickly led us to the foot of Bonny. Approaching it from the east, we rounded toward the south, there a small ledge provided the route to the summit proper.

A short hop was required to find the Benchmark proper.

Once we were ready we continued heading south. Our final target was Hut Benchmark. Unlike when I was out here the week before, the route to the Benchmark was a simple approach from the north side.

We then worked our way down through the slightly heavier brush back to the car. This was a fun day wandering from peak to peak. For anyone wanting to cut their teeth on a trail-less desert hike, this one is perfect.

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.

Wilson Benchmark & Pinyon Ridge

Today was going to be another two-fer, the primary peak is Wilson Benchmark and the secondary peak is Pinyon Ridge. I was able to convince both Ted and Dave to head out into the chilly high desert. We grabbed our wool caps and gloves and headed out. We drove out toward Ranchita, until we reached Wilson Road, from there we turned on to Old Culp Valley Road. Glad we were in the Subaru. We found the trailhead without any issues.

The trail is an old, partially overgrown jeep road, and it goes up and down through the sparse landscape of burnt trees, resprouting shrub skeletons, blackened yucca trunks, and granitic boulders. Most of the area had burned in the 2012 “Vallecito Lighting Complex” fire. Pinyon is just a short side jaunt from the main route out to Wilson. As we worked our way across the desert, we slowly started to warm up.

Pinyon was a fun little scramble to the top. We found the northeast corner easier to navigate to the top of the summit block. Found the register and signed in. The wind was a tad chilly, so we did not stay too long. As I was scrambling back down to fetch my poles, I found a patch of snow tucked between the rocks.

Rather than return directly to the trail, we continued across the open desert to the east until we intersected the trail again.

After about 4 miles, we reach the base of the summit. From there we worked our way up, past the boulders and burned trees.

Once there we easily found the benchmark and register.

Anza-Borrego was again spread out before us. We could see the Salton Sea in the distance. Although it had warmed up some, there was still a bit of wind blowing, so we did not linger.

The return to the trailhead and the car was brisk, as Dave needed to get home.

Indian Hill

After resting from summiting Piedras Grandes, Hahn and I headed north along the tracks toward Indian Hill.

We eventually headed west, unlike my first attempt, we went north around a small hill that resembled a pyramid. As we weaved our way past the chollas across the flat desert floor. We continued west for a bit as the peak rose up to the south of us until we found a nice route up.

Much like the ascent of Piedras Grandes, this was a steep rocky scramble up, but nothing too challenging.

Soon we reached the summit, I turn to Hahn and remarked that this was about 100x easier than what I had tried to navigate.

From the summit, I spotted the ravine that I had incorrectly taken.

Hahn said that if I had reached the top of that peak I would have summited Moan Benchmark. To which I said, if that was true you would have heard a middle-aged man moan…

We sat for a bit, enjoyed the views, signed the register, and then headed back down. I continued to pick her brain about various summits. We found ourselves back at the car and headed back into town.

Piedras Grandes

Earlier in the month, I had driven out to Anza Borrego to summit a pair of peaks, Indian Hill and Piedras Grandes. Unfortunately, I misread my route to Indian Hill and about halfway up a rocky ravine, I decided it too much and headed back to the car. I was not in the mood to attempt Piedras Grandes and drove home.

This time, I reached out to Hahn Asoy, one of the two 2017 finishers of the 100 Peak Challenge, if she would assist with my route finding. She gladly said yes, so back out to Dos Cabezas!

We opted to summit Piedras Grandes first since it is shorter of the two. We headed southwest across the desert floor until we reached the base of the peak. From there we picked our way up, past the rocks and cacti.

Quickly we found ourselves at the summit, looking across the desert, and the windmills near Ocotillo.

After a short rest, we headed back down and returned to the car before heading off for the second peak of the day.

Ghost Mountain

After Grapevine Mountain, I drove south to Little Blair Valley, toward the south end of the valley stands Ghost Mountain. For most people, this trail leads to the Marshall South homestead.

The trail quickly begins to climb up the side of the mountain to the ridgeline. From there it follows it toward the homestead, providing a sweeping view to the north and south as the trail continues its gentle climb.

After about 2 miles, I reached the remains of the adobe cabin. Marshall lived here for nearly 17 years. I spent some time examining the ruins before continuing eastward toward the summit.

It is clear the 95% of visitors turn back at this point, as the trail faded away. I picked my way through the rocks and plants until I reached the actual summit.

Here I found the Lower Peaks Committee register which I gladly signed.

I was feeling the miles from earlier, so I headed back down the trail to the car and back home.

Grapevine Mountain

The first peak of the day was slated to be Grapevine Mountain. The trailhead is just north of the scissors crossing in Anza Borrego. The morning was cool, but not too cold. The route to the summit follows the Pacific Crest Trail for some time, slowly snaking its way back up from the valley floor.

At some time point, it was time to bid fair well to the PCT and begin the off-trail ascent toward the summit.

Carefully weaving my way past the cactus and up the steep slopes, I found myself atop the first summit, but the actual summit was further east. I continued to work my way to the summit. I found the benchmark and the register with no trouble.

I spotted Sentenac Mountain to the south.

I did not stay too long as I knew I had to navigate the steep descent to the PCT and wanted to reach the summit of Ghost Mountain. I picked my way carefully down the slope as the San Felipe Valley spread out before me. Soon I reached the PCT and began retracing my steps back to the trailhead.

Mount Tule

I decided to drive out and summit Mt. Tule. This peak sits just north of the small hamlet of Boulevard as part of the In Ko Pah mountain range. Since I needed to be back in San Diego by 9:30, I arrived at the trailhead just before sunrise, which I was rewarded with a gorgeous one.

I followed a Jeep trail southward for a bit, debating if I should have kept driving to save some time. Soon, the road ended and a use trail began to work its way up to the summit.

Once at the summit, the early morning light spread over the desert.

I found the register, and make sure you take the time to read some of the entries.

I worked my way back down quickly and back into town.

Whale Peak

I was finally able to arrange to go hiking with Derek, the creator of the 100 Peak Challenge. He had recently opened Burger Bench, which had been keeping him quite busy. He wanted to scout for possible campsites on Whale Peak for a camping trip with his daughter and I needed to summit it. Win-win.

We met in the early morning near our houses and headed out. The ritual stop at the Jack-in-the-Box in Ramona got some food in our bellies as we headed out into Anza Borrego. Just off S2, we turned east and worked our way down the dirt road. Derek had a high clearance car so we were fine as bounced along. The trailhead for Whale Peak is also shared by Pinyon Mountain. We hoped to summit it afterward.

After working our way up the wash, we continued south across a grassy flat along a faint trail. Then we began working our way upward again, past the junipers and pinyon pines. Soon, we emerged into a nice valley.

Derek poked around for some possible campsites for a bit before we headed toward the east. Derek pointed to the wash to the west and cautioned the watch yourself combing back down and not to accidentally head down that way…

The trail continues to push upward, with steep sections followed by flatter sections. The summit is still not in sight, even with all this hiking, but after some more quad-burning climbing, the actual summit is achieved.

We drank in the views, while we enjoyed some well-earned snacks. I found the register and signed us in, then photographed the Benchmark.

We headed back down to the car, stopping to chat with another hiker working his way up. Derek filled me more on the navigation story, but I won’t recount it here…

We chatted about the challenge some, as we continued back down. Back at the car, we refueled before we tackled Pinyon Mountain.

Pinyon Mountain

After a hearty snack after our summit of Whale Peak, our attention to Pinyon Mountain. There is no trail to the summit, so we surveyed the mountain and consulted our topo map. Once we reached the ridgeline it would be a straightforward push to the top.

We carefully slogged up the steep and rocky slope. The footing took some care between the loose rocks and the cacti. Once the ridgeline was reached, the route across was as straightforward, like we expected. Although there was not a benchmark here, we did sign the register before heading back down.

Rather than completely retracing our steps, we opted to use the route a bit further to the east. This seemed to be a better choice. I would recommend this option for future attempts.

Once back at the car, we drove back into town feeling good having summited two more peaks.

Sentenac Mountain

My third peak for the day was Sentenac Mountain. This peak is near the Scissors Crossing near the western side edge of Anza Borrego. I turned off the road at the Plum Canyon turn out and followed the dirt road until it ends, which is the start of the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

I followed the CRHT for a bit, before heading west up a wash toward the summit. This was really fun, as I scrambled over the dry waterfalls with some nice sandy stretches in between.

According to my research, I knew I would exit this drainage to follow the ridgeline to the peak. I meandered past the cacti as I drew closer to the top.

Once there, I found the register and views of Granite Mountain to the southwest, and Grapevine to the north.

The sun was beginning to set, so I headed back down the ridge into the wash. As I drove back home, I felt a nice sense of accomplishment on bagging three desert peaks in a day.