Cascade Mountains
Hidden Lake
Walupt Lake Loop
California Desert
Cactus Spring
Borrego Palm Canyon
Plants found on this hike
Beavertail Cactus
Desert Fan Palm
Desert Barrel Cactus
Ocotillo
Fishhook Cactus
Teddybear Cholla
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| Location | Anza-Borrego Desert |
| Distance (Roundtrip) | 3 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Elevation start | 835' |
| Elevation change | 350' |
| When hiked | February |
| This hike is on the western edge of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It starts in an open wash, which gradually narrows as it moves deeper into the canyon mouth. The highlight of the hike is coming upon a palm oasis at a small waterfall. These desert fan palms, Washingtonia filifera, are the only palms native to the Southwest. Above the waterfall the going gets rougher, as the canyon narrows further and many large boulders are scattered about. The hike described, though, ends at the waterfall. Plants along this hike are typical of the Colorado desert at this altitude, with agave, ocotillo, and cholla prominent. In September 2004 a flood with a wall of water reported up to 10' high blasted out of the canyon and uprooted up to 80% of the palms within the canyon. The pictures from this hike were taken seven months earlier in February 2004. | |
Directions and additional information about this trail are available through Local Hikes.
This hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and begins near the visitor center. The visitor center provides complete information about the Anza-Borrego desert and is a marvel of low impact construction; built into a slope, it is barely visible.