Anza-Borrego Desert, CA (2/13 through 2/15/2018)

I keep posting sunsets because a lot of folks seem to enjoy them, and we have had some beauties here in the desert.  For some unknown reason, sunrises haven't been very good.

 

A place called the "Pumpkin Patch" came to my attention, so I just had to go check it out.  It's not in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, but in an adjoining park called State Vehicular Recreation Area.  In other words, since ATVs and dune buggies aren't allowed on the state park trails, a special park was established just for off-road vehicles.  Good idea.

The SVRA is huge and has countless trails in washes and over hills, dunes, etc.  Thankfully, they have street signs at the intersections of washes, as well as small markers along each trail, to let you follow the map they provide.  Without it, one could get lost in a hurry.  The trails that lead to the Pumpkin Patch were pretty good until near the end, where it turned into a true ATV trail with dips and hills, rocks and holes, blind corners and deep sand.  Let's say it was a challenging trail and I was happy the map showed a different route out.  I'm including a photo of the sign that explains how the Pumpkin Patch came to be, so I won't have to try.

 The trail out of the SVRA led back to the state park over fairly good washes, going through an area called "the Badlands".  The formations here have more color than most of the park, so I enjoyed it quite a lot.  Along the way, there is an oasis called "Five Palms", although I only saw four.

 Later, I stopped by a dry lake bed since it was on the way.  Despite all the signs warning not to drive on it, there were plenty of tracks where people have done just that.

 The next day, I drove through Box Canyon where a marker indicates where the original road built by the Mormon Battalion came through.  A spot called the "bedrock funnel" had fifteen foot walls and was too narrow for their wagons.  With picks and shovels, they widened the trail to get through.  Later the stage line also used it.  Incidentally, one stage line from San Antonio to San Francisco charged $200 per passenger.  Each person was allowed 30 pounds of luggage, plus blankets and firearms.  Extra baggage cost $.40 per pound. 

This next photo shows part of the stage "road" in the distance, right across the middle of the photo.

That area now has a lot of wind turbines scattered about,  As usual, almost none were moving.  It's hard to see their feasibility, but I guess it must be there.

Finally, another sunset from that evening.