The Pass Less Taken.

Today we drove into Borrego Springs for a hike in Coyote Canyon, we decided on a two mile round trip up to Alcoholic Pass. The road into the canyon is not paved but is suitable for any vehicle and there were a lot of cars there today looking at the wildflowers; the trail head is located about 2.5 miles from the end of the pavement. We drove slowly and Sandy took the following images from the window of the CRV.

 

 

 

 

 

The trail was listed as moderately strenuous and it was, our GPS showed a 600+ foot rise in elevation from our parking spot to the top. The trail was well marked, starting in a small wash before turning uphill where it was steep and rocky in places, we were in the sun with the temperature in the mid 80’s when we started so it was hot.

 

Our walk up to Alcoholic Pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top of the pass was fairly flat so after signing the register at the top we walked across the pass and looked down into the next valley before descending to the CRV; the return trip was uneventful despite some loose stones in places. Despite the crowd on Coyote Canyon Road we only met two people on our way up and one couple on the return trip so this was the path, or pass, less taken. We were back at the mothership by 1:00PM so we avoided the heat of the day and had some time to devote to KoKo.

 

At the top of Alcoholic Pass.

 

Looking toward the next valley.