Summits: 1454

March 6 – 25 » Anza Borrego, Kofa, and Other Desert Fun

On our way to Anza Borrego, Eris and I got stuck at the 79/S2 junction in a snowstorm. I had to use 4WD at 10mph just to get there, we spent the night in my truck and waited for the storm and roads to clear the next morning. I always wanted to see Anza Borrego with snow so this was really a blessing. We camped out for the weekend, did some easy hikes, and soaked at Agua Caliente before she went back to San Diego.

    With more weather coming in I flipped my plans and aimed for Kofa in Arizona – doing a rugged 3-day 125mi bikepacking loop, then meeting with friend Keith Winston to hike Signal Peak, the centerpiece of the range. Afterwards it was back to Anza Borrego to cycle a challenging 2-day 60 mile loop – Pinyon Wash to Split Mountain, returning along Kane Springs and Mine Wash. I hiked several summits in these few weeks, heading home thoroughly worn out, just the way it should be.

California: Borrego East Butte (repeat),  Agua Caliente Hot Spring, Arena Benchmark, Salton Sea camping (great on the east side), Cottonwood Mtn (Joshua Tree)

Arizona: Ibex Peak (nice scramble), Kofa bikepacking (included 3 peaks – P2760, Beehive, Lonesome Peak), Signal Peak (repeat, w/Keith)

Back to California: Micro Benchmark (w/Keith), ABSP bikepacking, misc peak hikes: P3001, P2684, P5868, Wooded Hill (a pleasant repeat)