Palm Canyon is one of the most popular trails in Anza-Borrego. With a trailhead located at the Park’s largest campground, this easy 3 mile trail is readily accessible to hikers of all skill levels. It is also regularly visited by Peninsular bighorn sheep, who venture down into the canyon for water and to graze on the various plant life that depend on the oasis’s comparatively abundant supply of water. At one point, the endangered Bighorn sheep were so rare that even long-time residents of Borrego Springs could go decades without seeing one of the elusive creatures, however conservation efforts have paid off and the sheep’s numbers are growing. Knowing that Palm Canyon was a frequent destination for Bighorns, we were optimistic about our chances of seeing one on our hike. Continue reading Palm Canyon (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) →

No doubt the ideal time to visit Anza-Borrego State Park is in the early spring when, depending on the conditions, desert wildflowers typically bloom. And somewhat later in the spring, the cacti usually begin to produce their colorful blossoms, adding another dimension to the desert’s pallette. But we found that even in the fall there were abundant colors to enjoy. The deep reds, golds, and browns of the rocky landscape contrast dramatically with the rich blue of the desert sky, and the various greens and browns of the numerous cacti and shrubs prove that life is abundant even in this hot and arid land. There’s no need to wait for spring to find beauty in the desert. Continue reading Cactus Loop Trail (Anza-Borrego State Park) →