Kendra Smith
This entry describes the parking wrong. There is a lot at the end of North Bloomfield Rd with bathrooms. If you get there before 10:30 am or so, you can usually find a spot. Across the bridge is a fire road that’s narrow and the parking is regulated so I would not park there. The trail description is accurate tho, I included a photo of the trailhead. We like to walk a ways down the river until the trail seems to veer up and away. At that point you wind your way down to the water and climb over some rocks to this nice spot with two jumping rocks. You can also ride a riffle in the river there past the rocks. There are both deep spots for swimming and shallow for wading. The beach is in full sun so be prepared! A great summer day out.
5.0
Though some descriptions of Bombay Beach tempted, others made us nervous since we were traveling with a kid. We opted to primitive camp at Salt Creek ($10) and we loved the privacy and space. If you like to birdwatch, in the am tons of birds congregate on the beach nearby so you can walk down there and bird spot. There are many other primitive campgrounds along the Highway here but we liked that this one seemed to have the most birds. Others have ramadas and water but are paved. Probably some of the cleanest, well maintained camping I’ve done in CA. And so cheap! Be aware that freight trains do cruise by regularly on the other side of the highway, day and night.
4.0
I’ve been to Keys View twice and the second time after an epic cold spring rain was spectacular. If it’s smoggy, it’s a bit depressing. On the very clear day post storm we could see Salton Sea all the way to the mountain that marks 100 miles to the Mexico border, as well as snow on the high mountains above Palm Springs and Indio.
3.0
The trail was under repair when we were there but this was a lot better spot to check out the rocks than Arch Rock because fewer people. There are picnic tables, trash bins, and vault toilets.
3.0
The sign says trailers not advised but it was fine with our off road trailer. The parking lot at the end is large enough for longer vans etc to turn around. And there are pit toilets. The trail is hard to find — head to the right of the parking lot and walk up the hill between the two boulders to find it. Don’t hike down the eroding cliff to the left. Great for kids, my 10 year old really enjoyed it.
5.0
I was nervous about dry camping on dirt roads but this park offers a perfect entree. We camped at Little Blair Valley and Yaqui Well and had positive experiences. Decently maintained roads, great stars, no crowds, some wildlife and easy short trails good for kids within close access. We rented a 4WD trailer to pull behind our Subaru from Off the Grid rentals in Glendora. It was windy so we were glad for that over a tent but lots of others slept in tents. RVs / trailers were possible at some campsites not very far in before roads got more bumpy.
5.0
At $3 a person and with an adults only hot pool, these springs are an awesome stop. There are two pools for all ages, and free showers at each pool to rinse off before you enter as well as coin op showers if you want privacy / a real shower in the nude. There are shaded picnic areas, drinking water, a simple store nearby with basics like beer, ice cream and souvenirs with a super kind owner who can be summoned by ringing a large prayer bell. You can also camp here but we found it busy and crowded after boondocking.
5.0
We read about this in the book California 50 Hikes with Kids — it is a relatively moderate climb 1 mile up to an old homestead that a family of four lived in in the 30s. Their story is very interesting and there are still some remnants of their home. It was fun to explore the top, where you’ll find ball shaped fish hook cactus, which may be in bloom in April, along with brilliant orange desert globe mallow. The ruins include cisterns, a wooden arch, and eroded adobe walls. The views from the top are cool and there is great free dispersed / dry camping adjacent in Little Blair valley where there is also a short interpretive hike to see native pictographs and mortars.
5.0
We went to the set that are out in the middle of the desert off Borrego Springs road south and it was quite hot out there. The most spectacular one is the prehistoric Incredible god wind bird over its nest with babies and captured snake. I’m sad we missed the large serpent and dinosaurs. The detail on many of these is fantastic so be sure to get out of your car and examine them up close.
4.0
On a warm clear day this is a really beautiful experience and a good hike.
5.0
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2024 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy