Vallecito (SDC #36, 3583′) • map • directions*
It had been almost one year (January 16th to be exact) since I had been able to tick off another SDC list peak. Certainly not by choice, I’d been forced to deal with a knee problem after biting off more than I could chew in 2010. A trip to Denali, a few trips to the Sierra, and an aggressive plan to annihilate the SDC peak list had given me a tough-to-beat case of patellar tendinopathy. A lengthy break and physical therapy had been needed to get back to normal. Though I traveled and kayaked quite a bit I hadn’t done much hiking, so I was excited about a new SDC peak, this time Vallecito.
I chose Vallecito because it was one of the easier peaks I had left on the list. I also had doubts as to whether we’d even be able to make it to the trailhead I had in mind and was looking to figure that out. On the map, the shortest hiking route looked to be from Dave McCain spring which meant driving 15 miles of dirt road through one of the more remote areas in Anza Borrego, Hapaha Flat. I’d spoken to two people that had been out there, neither of whom instilled confidence that I could make it in my 2WD Tacoma. To cast further doubt on our adventure, the map that I’d been using to navigate dirt roads in Anza Borrego for the past few years labeled the roads I intended to use as “4WD.” Not that that has deterred me in the past but one section even had a “one way only” label, normally saved for only the most severe obstacles. I’d been itching to see what this was all about so along with my brother, a small air compressor, and a full size jack, we set off to find out.
We left my place in San Diego at 5:30 am sharp, the agenda slightly pressed by the fact that Nick had to be back in Orange County by 9pm that night. It was cold out, with my truck’s temperature gauge falling to 21F on the way to the desert. I was glad to have my brother with me, mostly because we don’t get the chance to go on many adventures together, but also because he can keep up on hikes and he’d have no problems lending a hand if we got stuck.
We reached Split Mountain at the eastern edge of San Diego county at 7:30am and started in on the dirt roads. First west through Split Mountain itself, then southwest towards the Diablo Drop, then north past the entrance to Sandstone Canyon (signed), finally up and into Hapaha flat. We cruised the dirt roads with no problem, there had only been a few minor obstacles, all of which any vehicle with moderate clearance would be able to negotiate without trouble. There were some short sandy sections but not bad enough to require 4WD. We never figured out what the “one way” label on the map was all about, but I suspect that etiquette may call this road an “exit” for Hapaha and Harper flats, as the Pinyon Drop is an entrance to the area and is a one-way obstacle for the most part. The drive from Split Mountain had taken about an hour and soon after our arrival at the trailhead for Dave McCain spring, we packed up and got on our way.
We followed a faint use trail heading from the parking area into the small wash leading to McCain spring, which we soon abandoned to climb up a steep boulder field, aiming for a sizable flat that sits southwest from Vallecito’s summit. After 15-20 minutes of navigating through and over the boulders we arrived at the flat, which did not look flat at all – more like low hills covered with boulders and cactus that would double our expected efforts. We soon stumbled upon a narrow sandy wash that led from near the top of the boulder field, winding back and forth for less than a half mile to the large open area southwest of Vallecito. We had stopped once up to this point to examine a massive spine, broken into two pieces but otherwise intact.
Once the flat opened up it seemed obvious on where to go. Only it wasn’t. We almost set off for Vallecito’s slightly lower west summit, what looked to be the dominant peak from where we were. Further complicating things was a mysterious set of human footprints heading off in that direction. My map however, pointed us north towards a series of rounded hills, uninspiring compared to the west summit in plain sight. After deliberating over a snack I decided to trust the map, so Nick and I booked it north.
We aimed for a short boulder-filled gully and began scrambling in earnest when the sand ran out, knowing we had just 300 vertical feet to go. Right as we were cresting the high point, that feeling that I get only on a remote Anza Borrego summit started to wash over me. Seeing the real highpoint fifteen minutes away managed to squash that real quick however. We scrambled down 75 feet and back up again, finding the coveted summit log, first placed in 1980. It was last signed just 5 days previous by the owner of the mysterious footprints I presume. The register had 25-30 entries and what seemed to be a twelve year gap in its early years. Accompanying the register of course was a spectacular view, especially eastwards towards the Salton Sea.
Though the weather had been pleasant on our way up, the cold and wind was starting to hit so Nick and I signed in, took a few pictures, and started back down. We found an easier way off the summit, otherwise retraced our steps back to the truck. I took a small detour while Nick relaxed on a nice rock to follow a metal pipe that I suspected led to Dave McCain spring (dry). I had hopes of finding pottery shards, but only found a couple of water tanks and a wildlife camera. I’m not sure how many pictures it took of me as I snooped around, but I stuck my face in front of it for a close up that’s sure to either brighten or disappoint someone’s day.
An hour of off-road driving got us back onto paved roads and we returned to San Diego to get cleaned up before heading for Orange County, getting my brother home at 8:55pm, 5 minutes to spare. I’d spend the next three days up there with him celebrating Christmas with our parents, my Christmas spirit off to a great start – back in Anza Borrego, and with my brother to boot.
*the driving directions get you to Split Mountain. From there follow the green route on the above map, or even better, consult a Tom Harrison backcountry recreation map. Moderate clearance and ability to deal with small patches of sand is recommended.