Sunday, February 21, 2016

Palm Mesa High Point, Norte BM, Phil BM, Cody BM, Deering Peak

Hiked: 2/19/2016
Distance: 10.5 miles round trip cross country
Summit Elevation: 5440' (Phil), 5470' (Norte), 5586' (Cody), 4780' (Deering), 4660' (Palm Mesa)
Elevation Gain: 4650'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 3.72
Round trip time: 9 hours 15 minutes
Recommended water: 184 oz.
Parking/Fees: $10 Los Coyotes Reservation (per car day use), parked on San Ignacio Road
Difficulty: Strenuous

Brad and I set out for the Anza-Borrego desert to climb Palm Mesa High Point and pick up several benchmarks and peaks on either side of the canyon along the way. The trailhead starts at the end of San Ignacio Road on the Los Coyotes Reservation. There is a $10 day hike fee for entering the reservation, but when we stopped at the entrance gate, no one was there. We drove on San Ignacio until it turned into a smooth dirt road and followed it until a fallen tree blocked it. We parked there and continued down the road. Our itinerary ended up:

1. Norte BM
2. Phil BM
3. Cody BM (SDC #17)
4. Deering Peak (unofficial)
5. Palm Mesa High Point (SDC #32)

We went past the main wash of the North Fork of Borrego Palm Canyon and entered a side wash below it. We followed that a short distance to a the south ridge of Norte BM. The cross country terrain was not as harsh as the area around San Ysidro or Indianhead, with a notable lack of cholla and other cactus. There were still some obstacles and a potentially disorienting mesh of side canyons. We found the Norte benchmark and register, then made the five minute commute to Phil BM. Phil had a wooden pole marker and register well below the highest boulders. I climbed all the boulders searching for a benchmark with no luck. After a very short break, we continued on to Cody BM, which was a strategic viewpoint. The register was sitting on the benchmark and it was the third time we signed in directly after Eric Su, who completed a giant traverse in December. Both Cody and Pike look somewhat tame from the east, but more like monsters from the lower reaches of the canyon to the west.


Deer at the start


A side wash, Norte BM visible left up the ridge


Approaching Norte BM (tallest summit ahead)


Norte summit


Norte benchmark, Mission Indian Agency, 1940


Phil BM from Norte BM


Searching for the Phil triangulation mark without luck


Phil BM register


Cody BM from Phil BM


On a random rock pile on the way to Cody


Brad on the Cody summit


Cody benchmark


Cody register


View from Cody, Santa Rosa range in the distance


Pike BM from Cody BM

We descended sharply off Cody toward the canyon. An eyeball scan of the area led me to believe Deering Peak, an unofficial peak, was actually Palm Mesa. Deering is about 120' higher than Palm Mesa, but it was not nearly far enough down the canyon. Brad didn't question my error and we came up with a strategy to get there by contouring to a less dramatic ridge. We crossed the canyon and sidehilled awkwardly to the ridge where the going got easier. The summit of Deering had a small cairn, but no benchmark or register. I checked in with my GPS to discover that Palm Mesa High Point was a good bit further. We had burned a lot of elevation gain to get to Deering and now would have to give most of it back. We cut our celebration short and plunged down toward the canyon again, looking to preserve as much gain as we could. There were three possible ridges to climb Palm Mesa. We chose the middle ridge as a compromise between the steepest and the longest. Some period of grinding later, just before hitting the top of Palm Mesa, Brad starting getting cramps in both quads. He made it to the top and stretched out, but the cramps didn't let up. We signed the register, ate the rest of our lunch and waited. Fifteen minutes later, we both realized this might be a problem. Palm Mesa is very remote, even by Anza-Borrego standards. There was no cell service and it was at least 4 hours in any direction to the nearest help. I handed him an ibuprofen and a salt tablet and asked if he could make it back. He replied, "I have no choice." We had planned to hit Pike BM on the way out, but it would have to wait for another day. Although he offered, I didn't want to leave Brad to struggle up the canyon while I made the side trip. We made good time to Palm Mesa, but had to slow the pace on the way out. We made frequent stops as his legs kept cramping. Once we got on easier ground, he could sustain longer periods between rests. Topo maps showed a trail heading directly back to the car and we decided to look for it. Except for some scattered remnants, the trail was mostly gone. The direction, though, was true and we eventually lumbered over a hill and down to the car. I'll have to return for Pike BM, maybe doubling up with Hot Springs Mountain, but it was still a successful day -- five summits and no rescue.


Deering Peak


Looking back at Cody and Pike from Deering Peak


Heading to Palm Mesa from Deering Peak


Approaching Palm Mesa


East end of San Ysidro ridge from Palm Mesa


Indianhead from Palm Mesa


Cody and Pike from Palm Mesa


Dropping back in to the canyon


One of many dry falls in the North Fork, no water at all


Morteros



16 comments:

  1. Thanks Keith, fine day with good company for a hike near the Cahuilla Reservation east of Warner Springs. Mostly enjoyable workout, interesting geology and flora, I look forward to exploring this area again. San Ysidro and peaks to the south, along with nearby San Diego county high point Hot Springs Mountain will have me back soon!

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    Replies
    1. Brad,

      Thanks for coming on this long hike. It was a fun day and I'm glad the injury was passing. Pike and Hot Springs will be there for the return trip.

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    2. Great hike Keith, thanks for the awesome write-up as always. I just did HSM 2 weeks ago... great views and terrific forest: http://hikinginsocal.blogspot.com/2016/02/hot-springs-mountain-6533-from-los.html

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    3. Joseph,

      Thanks for the timely post on Hot Springs Mountain. I thought you could drive up that road a little closer to the top, but it looks very worthwhile either way. I'm looking forward to going back to that area this year.

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  2. Good trip. Amazing country. Glad you guys made it out without becoming a news story.

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    Replies
    1. Madison,

      I do love the desert. We had a few tense moments, but it all worked out. Maybe you can make the long journey down for a taste of Anza-Borrego some day.

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  3. Another neat report. Thanks! A handful of desert BMs in the bag and no chopper ride = success.

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    Replies
    1. Sean,

      This was just north of our big trip to Sirens and San Ysidro East. Very little cactus compared to that area.

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  4. 5 summits and no rescue. Always a successful day.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Derek,

      I was happy to get back without further incident. I've never had quad cramps, but Brad looked very uncomfortable. It was impressive that he toughed it out from our farthest peak.

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  5. Hey Keith, you ever figure out if there's a fee to enter? Trying to hit 50 on the SD100 before end of year and this is on my shortlist.

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    Replies
    1. mhanan,

      From reading other trip reports, I think there is a $10 day hike fee and a $25 camping fee. Both times I drove through, it was early and no one was at the entry point. I even stopped on the way out and no one was working. I am planning to make another trip there next month and make the back payments I owe if I can find someone :)

      Good luck on the 50 mark. That's a great milestone. I just passed 50 this year.

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  6. Nice! Yeah, you're at 56 I think... You may not know it but I've been chasing you and a few others on Peakbagger :) Let me know when you head in, and if you're interested in any company.

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    Replies
    1. Hm. Up to 60... You must be back in SD

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    2. Yeah, I got four easy ones last week along Sunrise highway. My next one from Los Coyotes is a solo, but I'll let you know after that. I think Brad wanted to do Pinyon and Whale this winter.

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    3. Whale is loads of fun. You'll love that one. I combined it with Ghost a month or so ago. Was just plotting how to combine Pinyon and Granite in a day. Definitely let me know, I'm usually out solo but always happy for some company when I can get it.

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