Peak 82 - Borrego Mountain East Butte - A short introduction to off-trail desert hiking

Borrego Mountain East Butte
Elevation: 1,196’
Mileage: ~1.3
Trailhead: Turnout on Blow Sand Canyon Road (Goat Trail)
Agency: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Date Hiked: 12/04/2020
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12/04/2020
This time, I was on a mission. I had researched and memorized the routes and carefully studied the dirt roads to each trailhead. My goal: summit three desert peaks in a day. The first in line was Borrego Mountain East Butte.

Borrego Mountain East Butte is a great introductory peak for cross-country desert exploration. It is relatively short, the dirt road to the trailhead is fairly straightforward, and the navigation is challenging enough without putting one in danger of getting lost.

I set the alarm for 5AM and groggily headed out of town and through the countryside. I’ve driven through Ramona so many times, I notice the seasonal nuances and can nearly do it in my sleep, which is sometimes close to the truth on early morning trailhead drives.

I made it to the trailhead after a fun little drive on Goat Trail across from the Desert Ironwood Resort. Greeted with silence and a chilly morning, I scanned the ground for footprints and found some that worked their way up the path I intended.

Starting on the trail, crossing the sandstone golden bridge

I made my way across the golden bridge, as I named it. There is a sandstone alluvial deposit across the gully at the foot of the hill. As I stood at the bottom, I had to make a decision.

Looking at the map, you could either go straight up the hill, a steep climb, to go up and over the ridgeline above and then down to a flat section and then up again, or you could go to the right and skirt the ridge, not gaining and losing as much elevation.

I foolishly chose the latter.

Cross-country hillside navigation on the way to Borrego Mountain East Butte

Starting the climb, looking back to the trailhead

One thing about off-trail desert hiking: It is almost always the best idea to get to the top of the ridge, even if it is rolling and means losing and gaining elevation.

The reasons? Sidehilling is exhausting. It’s often loose and you really don’t save the effort that you think you might. The top of the ridge often has a use trail and can be far easier to navigate through the typical desert obstacles.

After slogging for a while on the side of the hill, I came out onto a small flat area and started across. I could picture a short backpacking trip up this area. Undoubtedly, it’s quiet up here.

Borrego Mountain East Butte flattens out near the top

I made my way up a small hill and in no time I was on top. It was only .64 miles to the high point, but the first section sure got my heart going.

I went up this short slope and then was near the top

I enjoyed the morning views from the top and headed back down, knowing I still had two more peaks for the day.

View to the northeast from Borrego Mountain East Butte

As I descended, I got to the point where I could continue on the ridge or go back down my sidehill way. I chose the ridge and it was far easier, and there was, in fact, a use trail for portions of it. This was definitely the way to go.

On the way down from Borrego Mountain East Butte

Before long, I was at the edge of the ridge and could see my car and the golden bridge again. I zig-zagged my way down the crumbly hill and made it back to the car, looking forward to my next hike, Borrego Mountain West Butte.