Four miles off pavement on a sandy road mostly in a wash was not a place for my rig to go to Fonts Point overlooking the Badlands. In fact there are many roads here that I can’t drive but also many I can. So I was really glad when Lynda and Howard offered to give me a ride there when the timing was right.
Last Wednesday the sky put on an all day show of swirly clouds which we knew would be perfect for sunset from the point.
Howard maneuvered through the soft sand like a pro but it was still too bumpy to take photos through this entryway wash. From the parking area a short walk slightly upward took us to the edge.
Lynda told me she didn’t like edges but has challenged herself to get pretty close for photos.
We intentionally arrived just before sunset and caught some of the last light within the depths of these twisting ridges and ravines.
Erosion is most fascinating leaving behind natures sculpture to ancient history in geologic time. This carved desert landscape reveals the tilted layers of sediments ranging from 250,000 to 4 million years old.
The sandstones, clays and volcanic ash below contain the fossils of Ice-Age horses, camels, mammoths, sloths and bears who once thrived along streams and meadows.
I turned back and forth catching the sunset to the west while still being able to see last light shine far to the east light up the Salton Sea in the distance. Fonts Point is a spectacular overlook for the badlands and beyond.
The sun was out and it was suppose to get to 61F, so at 11:30 I hit the road. I’m not a super early morning person, and besides what’s the rush. Just before downtown Borrego Springs I turned onto S3 and cruised past the fancy looking Borrego Springs Resort, Casa del Zorro Resort and Spa, and even the Borrego Medical Center all surrounded by tall palm trees amongst their lush desert landscaping.
Soon I’m out of town and back in the park headed over 1750 foot Yaqui Pass. There’s a gravel parking lot at the pass that is also a dry camp though not very enticing with no signal but a lot of barrel cactus, cholla, ocotillo, century plants, yuccas and the William L Kenon Overlook trail. I stopped briefly but didn’t hike.
Tamarisk Campground is at the junction of California 78 surrounded by giant towering tamarisk trees. I got twisted around and went the wrong way but not for long and turned around. And then, OMG, massive amounts of big rigs towing on this curvy road and bringing in their toys and jeeps to play in the desert. Thank goodness only certain areas of the park allow the drive anywhere you want ORV space.
The traffic decreased once I turn onto S2, 21 miles to Agua Caliente over a 2000 foot pass, down into valleys and up again curving past cactus studded landscapes. Through Shelter Valley, population 300 and I can see them all in this long flat valley.
I stopped to check out the Blair Valley dry camp and only saw one tent way off in the distance. No signal and no RVs as it seems we all want our technology. Gone are the days when the Butterfield Stagecoach delivered the true ‘snail mail’ across this unpaved route.
And finally I got to Agua Caliente, a noisy, parked right on top of each other, RV parkish place. No thanks. But maybe after the holiday rush is over and kids are back in school. I mean it is soaking in hot water. Ahhh….
The return drive was prettier than before without the bright sun shinning in my eyes. I smiled returning to this extensive piece of desert off Rockhouse Trail. Sure glad I made the reconnaissance trip to Agua Caliente instead of making those online reservations. And such a beautiful drive.
BTW, it did rain Tuesday night and the morning light of New Year’s Eve showed snow capped mountains all around and down to 2000 feet. Thank goodness I’m not at more than several hundred feet.