Wikiloc | California - Borrego Springs - Moonlight Canyon

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Photo ofCalifornia - Borrego Springs - Moonlight Canyon - Inner Pastures

Author

Efmer

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Trail stats

Distance: 5.94 mi
Elevation gain: 1,795 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 1,795 ft
Max elevation: 2,193 ft
TrailRank: 35
Min elevation: 1,224 ft
Trail type: Loop

Time: 4 hours 16 minutes
Coordinates: 2526
Uploaded: March 29, 2012
Recorded: March 2012

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near Mesquite Oasis, California (United States)

Viewed 814 times, downloaded 2 times

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Itinerary description

More Anza Borrego Hiking

A very scenic hike in the narrow Moonlight canyon up the the pass and into the inner pastures.

From the parking, start hiking south/west toward the canyon entrance.
Hike into the narrow canyon, with lots of small (dry) falls.

The first part looks a bit like a tropical rain forest, if there is water, that is.

At the fork, take the right, less obvious one. The left one has a sign no entry, as it ends in a steeper fall, not impossible to climb up, but more dangerous.

Don't stay in the right (west) fork, because it's the wrong canyon, but move over to the left, when you see a saddle, as the canyon bends more to the right (west).

Over the saddle hike toward the main wash (moonlight canyon).
Follow the wash/boulders all the way up to the pass.

At point "Fork Right" keep right, the other one leads the same way, but the right one is easier.
Look for the morteros.

Once on top of the pass, hike down into the inner pastures, or return.
The descend looks boulder rich, but it's easy to find a way around them.

The canyon is filled with lots of small boulders, so be prepared for a wash/boulder hike.
Nothing difficult, but harder to hike in.

The pictures

WARNING: Watch out for jumping cholla. They are mean and plentiful out here. Sturdy higher leather boots are nice to have.
It took me about 20 minutes to get them out of my leather boots. They hook into the leather, quite nicely.
Make sure you stock some tweezers.

How to get here:

On the S2, 0.2 mile past the east exit Agua Caliente (Second one, coming in from Shelter). Mile 38.8.
Park roadside.