Anza Borrego Slot Canyon Dogs
There isn't much more manly than facing the elements and exploring the world beyond the confines of the paved roads. Unfortunately, unless you are with an instructor or first experience it as a passenger, this can be a challenging task that you might not feel comfortable exploring. However, there are trails in Southern California's Anzo Borrego Desert that are perfect for learning the basics of off-road adventure.
While most people think about San Diego as being lush palm trees blowing in a cool ocean breeze, on the other side of the mountain - less than a two-hour drive is a harsh desert that is perfect for a guys weekend adventure. This is your opportunity to explore new terrain, learn new skills, and frankly escape from technology for a while since your mobile phone is almost certain not to work except at the resort itself! For our adventure, Jeep provided Greg from Suburban Men and I with two vehicles - a Jeep Wrangler and a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk - which was surprisingly capable and we hope to do a full review in the future.
- Simply named The Slot, this narrow siltstone canyon provides one of the most exciting hikes in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.This 0.8-mike trek is capped off with a passage beneath a gravity-defying rock span.
- Pets: not really the best trail for dogs. I can’t imagine trying to get my dogs through the slot canyon, and the terrain is pretty rough in areas. Directions: Domelands Trailhead. Take Highway 8 east from San Diego to the the Imperial Highway exit / Route S2. Turn Left and go under the Freeway and head north on Route S2 for about 7.2 miles.
Galetta Meadows
Rules for Pets at Anza Borrego. Dogs are not allowed on trails or in wilderness areas. They are only allowed on park roads, and even then only on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs are generally frowned upon by park rangers. Dog poop and pee will confuse coyotes and cause them to abandon their territory and move into other potentially unwanted.
The desert in Southern California is a weird place where artists imaginations somehow manage to give life to fantastic artwork in the middle of seemingly nowhere. That's true for Borrego Springs as well and Galetta Meadows is one of the coolest places you will find anywhere. It also provides you with a great opportunity to test your wheels since there are paths to and through the sculpture gardens where if for some reason you get stuck - the road is withing just a few yards.
In total, there are approximately 130 metal sculptures representing everything from prehistoric animals that once roamed the terrain, to more modern subjects representing the people and culture of Borrego Springs today. They are mostly located along Borrego Springs Road but can be easily missed if you drive too fast.
Borrego Badlands at Font's Point
This trail starts off of the S22 Borrego Salton Seaway about 17 miles north east from La Casa Del Zorro and there's a loop to turn around in overlooking the badlands. It's an easy mixture of hard and deep sand that will allow you to test your skills in four-wheel-drive. This trail is mostly flat, so clearance isn't as much of an issue as traction since there are pockets of very soft sand that tend to shift around.
The Slot Trail
This is about 8 miles south east from the resort. It is mostly hard packed sand initially, but will get progressively more challenging. At The Slot, there is a short hike in rugged terrain where you will want to have proper gear despite it being a short path through a narrow slot canyon. This trail could be done in good weather without a 4x4 but as always, when you leave pavement it's good to have more capabilities than you think you need.
Fish Creek Wash and Split Mountain
Further down the road from The Slot is Fish Creek Wash, leading into Split Mountain. The trail starts about 21 miles from the resort off of Split Mountain Road. This is actually a fairly long trail that gets progressively more challenging. As always, only go as far as you feel comfortable and keep an eye on both time and gas since you are a long ways from a cell phone signal.
Once again here you will find large sections of very soft sand as well as some small rocky areas and larger rocky areas if you want to play around but not damage the vehicles. It's an easy drive, but be very aware of weather since a sudden storm even miles away can lead to a flash flood very quickly and in parts of Split Mountain, there is really nowhere to go.
Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area
Anza Borrego Slot Canyon Dogs For Sale
Finally, once you've had the chance to get some dirt on the wheels, it's time to see what the car can do in a 'safe place' and take your new skills to the next level. Personally, I'd rather test going over a large obstacle where I knew people (including rangers) are near, rather than find out miles from civilization.
The Ocotillo Wells SVRA is 14.8 miles from the resort, just past Split Mountain Road off of CA 78. You will also find a ranger station here and maps to tons of other trails throughout the park.
Return to La Casa Del Zorro!
After a long day off-roading, being able to head back to La Casa Del Zorro for a dip in the pool, a burger, and then some star gazing! This road is really amazing, with a variety of accommodations ranging from rustic casitas with private pools that are perfect for a small group of guys to luxury hotel rooms where you can walk out to a shared pool.
It's in a great position to access a ton of off-road trails, while only being a few hours away from downtown San Diego.
The Slot Canyon Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, known simply as “The Slot,” is an easy out-and-back hike, that winds through a deep and extremely narrow siltstone canyon (just wide enough at points for a single person to pass). Squeezing through the slot is definitely an adventure and a fun way to experience the maze-like quality of Anza Borrego’s desert canyons.
As you approach the trailhead (GPS: 33.182039,-116.214071), it’s worth keeping a close eye on kids, because the canyon drops off steeply in places along the approach trail. The trail starts at the top of the parking lot, in the direction you would go if the road had continued up the hill, and begins with a steep descent into the canyon. Once you’re at the bottom, head left onto the trail.
The mile-long trail drops about 100 feet in elevation as you pass through the canyon. The trail gets so narrow in places, that you may need to take off any backpacks to squeeze through. Kids (and the young at heart) will love exploring the canyon, as there is a surprising geological twist around each corner.
After less than a mile, the slot canyon will open up and you’ll come to a truck trail. You can follow this trail for a bit and then take a left on a trail that will bring you back along the rim of the canyon to the trailhead (which adds about a mile to the hike). Alternatively, we recommend you return back through the slot trail, as it’s more interesting.
Anza Borrego Slot Canyon Dogs For Adoption
Getting There
To get there from Christmas Tree Circle in Borrego Springs, head south on Borrego Springs Road for 12 miles to Highway 78. Turn left on 78, and go 1.4 miles and make a left on Buttes Pass Road. Drive 1.8 miles to the parking lot for the hike. Follow the signs to the slot trailhead at the northeast corner of the parking lot.
Getting to the slot canyon trailhead doesn’t require a four-wheel-drive vehicle, unless it has rained recently, in which case, check-in at the visitor’s center about road conditions. The slot is about a 20-minute drive southeast of Borrego Springs, and a little tricky to find. The gravel road to the trailhead is easy to miss, and the tiny road sign doesn’t help matters. Even though we set the mileage tracker on our Jeep, we blew right by it the first time and had to circle back.