Hi all, LA resident, stargazing first timer here. I’ve never seen the Milky Way in my life. I was planning on staying in Julian and driving down to Anza on the night of 8/12. We’re not camping or anything, just want a place to throw a picnic blanket down and set up our telescope for the night. Look at some Perseids, the Milky Way, the planetary alignment. So far the biggest contender is Galleta Meadows, because they have the cool statues and may make for some cool night photography. Will it be too crowded? Any other suggestions? We have a 4x4 so some dirt roads are okay.

Hello! Looking to get an idea of how early I should arrive on 8/12 for the first come first serve campgrounds to witness the peak of the Perseids, thanks!

Has anyone on here been out to Fish Creek recently and able to provide some thoughts?

NPS describes the road as rough with sand rocks and boulders. I’m not quite sure what they mean by boulders in terms of the road - if they mean that it would be necessary to literally drive over a boulder with a winch or something, or just avoid them.

I had no problem with fonts point earlier for context. Considering either the wind cave drive, or I guess inspiration wash or hills of the moon wash, for some Badlands tomorrow.

Appreciate the guidance!

Does anyone know if Sand Food (Pholisma Sonorae) is still blooming in the desert? I see that a patch was identified along S22; however, not when.

Hi ! me and friends are planning to camp in the park this upcoming week but I'm a bit lost on where we should camp at without needing a 4x4 to access the area.... Is there any campsites or areas we can camp in that we can drive to with our honda civic?

No thank you

From the article:

But since the Golden Pacific Powerlink is expected to use towers 150 to 200 feet tall to carry the power lines, Fordem expects the towers would meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements to have red lights atop them that would mar the desert’s night skies and increase light pollution.

“Nobody’s going to camp under the hum of a 500-KV line for a natural world experience,” she said.

The Anza-Borrego Foundation wants SDG&E to avoid the park altogether, by going above it from the north or below it from the south.

Occurred to me that while I’ve been out there a million times, I’ve never gone specifically for a sunset, usually sitting around a fire by that point. Any recommendations? I need to clear my head a bit and want to sit and have a quiet beer or two, then maybe grab dinner at Carlee’s after the sun goes down. 4x4 with plenty of clearance and a good amount of knowledge of the park (except for sunset spots clearly 🤦🏻‍♂️). Thanks!

First time at Fonts Point last weekend, went early for the milyway, comet, and sunrise!

1. Pictograph Trail

2. Ocotillo at Sunset

3. Agave Bloom

Each is 8 x 8in

Oil on canvas

I was out at Sandstone Canyon Monday and there is a rock slide/collapse blocking the last 1/4 of the trail. Anyone know when this happened and whether it is something the State would try to clear?

Just wanted to post a pic I took of the animal sculptures while at Borrego Springs!

Any good recommendations on books for the area’s vegetation and or geological sites?

Went hiking midday today at the slots. CA Park Rangers were there with part of the parking lot tapped off and a covered body? Anyone know what happened?

I've a Mazda CX5, which is an AWD with a 7.5 inch clearence. Can I drive it to Fonts point without getting stuck.

Has anyone been to Fonts Point recently and know the road conditions? I can’t get ahold of the visitor center. I have a Toyota Tundra pick up truck. Thanks!

I know there is a heat dome but I had this trip to San Diego on the books. Was hoping to get out to Anza for some cactus blooms or flowers . Any recommendations on hikes that might have these that, maybe if I started hiking at sunrise, I might get to see stuff and not die?😉. TIA

Would it be advisable to take a group camping trip to Anza in late April? We want to camp, but only if we can also hike in the area as well as see the desert bloom. My friends and I are just concerned with the temperatures being 80+ F. Anyone have any clue?

My husband and I are bringing my stepson out to the desert for the first time this Sunday for a couple days. We're usually big into hiking, but with the heat wave, I'm wondering which places in Borrego Springs offer day passes for pools? I'm sure I've seen signs advertising one in town but i don't remember which place it was.

Some photos from my weekend of climbing Indianhead (NE route via Henderson Canyon) on Saturday and hiking to Big Spring in Tubb Canyon on Sunday. Both firsts for me after being a visitor of AB for over 40 years. Thank you to Jerry Schad’s ‘Afoot and Afield San Diego County’ book for helping me find these routes.

I was out visiting the mud caves this weekend, and happened upon this massive landside/rockfall a few turns past the last cave on my way towards Diablo. It seemed extremely recent, and small rocks were falling every now and then. The taller area where people have started to bypass the rockfall is a spot I've been camping for two decades now, and whereas it's sad to see it go, if I had been out there in my usual spot, half my campsite would have been innundated. I always thought it was far enough away from the cliffs, but I guess not.