Anza Borrego State Park

In empathy with our family on the East Coast, we found ice cycles hanging from the bottom of the RV.

So we exaggerated, the ice cycles are real from the below freezing night but our days are sunny and mild. Fortunately we are not facing the eastern cold but, unfortunately, Jeff’s plan to join us was dashed by the Polar Vortex. We miss having him in this lovely area. For our visit to Anza we worked with an excellent ranger. For starters, she recommended the Palm Canyon hike, an “easy” four mile round trip. Maybe she understated a bit or maybe we didn’t listen well, but “easy” is a relative term. What is a fact is how beautiful this canyon is even though we had to walk in sand, climb small boulders, wander off trail, and ford a small creek. These photos show a bit of the beauty of this not so “easy” hike.

This is the palm grove at the turnaround point of the hike.

The ranger also recommended an excellent spot for lunch. Carmelita’s delicious tacos, enchiladas and chili relleno replenished our energy after the hike. The next morning we continued hiking. We did two short hikes to visit ancient tribal sites. The longer one had a bit of rock hopping but was mostly a steady uphill sand trail.

We found these pictographs that experts are debating the meaning of, be it ritual, male coming of age, or undetermined.

The short and easy ‘Ehmuu-Morteros Trail went to a seasonal home of the ancient Kumeyaay people. It features grinding rocks, groves of edible plants, and “cupules” which also are subject to debate. They look like miniature vertical grinding rocks and Anna Lee interpreted them to be places to sharpen the grinding tool or for young girls to learn to grind. We did not find the lone pictograph along this trail.

Having read some tempting travel articles on Anza, we have long planned to come here. This largest state park in the contiguous USA is well worth several visits. January is lovely but spring is advertised as spectacular due to the wildflowers. We have it on our list for a return trip.