Life sucks a lot less when you add mountain air, a campfire and some peace and quiet. —Brooke Hampton

We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. —Native American proverb

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. —Thomas Jefferson

Nature is the art of God. —Dante Alighieri

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Anza Borrego California State Park


I've made quite a few trips to Anza Borrego State Park and here are some pictures from those trips for you to enjoy.

But first a little history of the park. 

From the parks website. Anza Borrego State Park Website

Encompassing more than 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® is the largest state park in California, the largest desert state park in the United States, and is a UNESCO conservation designated World Biosphere Reserve.

With over 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas (comprising 2/3 of the park) and 110 miles of riding and hiking trails visitors are provided an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the Colorado Desert. [See  South Coyote Canyon Trail] The park name is derived from a combination of the name of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word "borrego," referring to bighorn sheepThe park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. Visitors may also have the chance to see roadrunnersgolden eagleskit foxesmule deer and bighorn sheep as well as  and four species of rattlesnake.   Within the park boundaries there is located a unique man-made structure - the world's largest wooden trestle.  Also within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are Cultural Preserves and Natural Preserves consisting of features unique to this region.

On August 1, 1974, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton approved Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for inclusion in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. Sites in the Registry possess exceptional value as illustrations of our nation's natural heritage. Anza-Borrego, the largest Desert State Park in the nation, contains some of the best examples of the desert biotic communities in the Colorado Desert." - from the plaque erected at the Visitor Center.
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® is located on the eastern side of San Diego County, with portions extending east into Imperial Countyand north into Riverside County. It is about a two-hour drive from San Diego, Riverside, and Palm Springs.



The visitor Center has information on wildflowers, an award wining museum, a free slide show or video program, and a wide selection of publications on the park's natural and cultural resources at the bookstore.

I highly recommend the video.



Park landscape.












Fonts Point and Badlands below.





Desert wildflowers.








Juan Bautista de Anza historical marker.






17 Palms mailbox where you can leave your name and a note for future visitors.



Petroglyph and grinding stone.




A few of the Metal Sculptures scattered around the park.
Click on this link for more information on the sculptures.






Some of the parks off-road trails.



Lunch break.



Hollywood and Vine sign.



The "Phone Booth" is on a plateau overlooking the Salt and Sea and Truckhaven area of the park.




Descending from the "Phone Booth".



Anza Borrego is an excellent example of California's beauty including rainbows and sunsets.