11 Horse Canyon

SCENERY:

DIFFICULTY:

TRAIL CONDITION:

SOLITUDE:

CHILDREN:

DISTANCE: 4–6 miles round trip

HIKING TIME: 2.5–4.5 hours

OUTSTANDING FEATURES: Streambed, cottonwood trees, rocky canyon views, boulders, and possible wildlife

A 4-mile out-and-back from the bottom of the Turkey Track (aka the mouth of Horse Canyon), usually with water present; a 6-mile out-and-back starts at the top of the Turkey Track. This trek into a canyon inhabited until recently by wild horses offers a perspective on flowing water’s effect on the environment.

OPTIONS: Because access to this far-north corner of the Coyote Canyon region is extremely difficult, solitude reigns supreme. Backpacking into Horse Canyon (or surrounding canyons) allows for a remote outback experience. Packing into intersecting White Wash Canyon is a similar yet more distant experience. Surrounding canyons each have their own natural charm. Nance, to the west, hooks into a leg of the Pacific Crest Trail. Other canyons include Tule, to the southwest, and Alder and Salvador to the southeast. You might also head into the Upper Willows areas, perhaps visiting the Anza Monument, erected to honor an infant once believed to be the first non–Native American child born in California. For a more ambitious experience, consider a drop-off at the top of the Turkey Track and arrange for a pickup two to four days later near Lower Willows (after you’ve explored to your heart’s content). Although 3.5 central miles of Coyote Canyon are permanently closed to vehicle traffic, backpackers, bicyclists, and horseback riders can see the route through—enjoying the park’s open camping policy as they go.

Directions: Take CA 371 to the town of Anza. Turn right (south) on Kirby Road, which is 1.5 miles east of the town center. After 1 mile, Kirby Road turns left and becomes Wellman Road, which heads east. Another mile brings you to Terwilliger Road, where you must turn right (south). Drive approximately 4 miles, passing by the Anza RV resort, and turn left on Coyote Canyon Road. After about 1.6 miles, turn right to continue on Coyote Canyon Road, now dirt. You’ll pass some homesites, then, at approximately 3.5 miles, a sign for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It’s about 8 miles on Coyote Canyon Road to the park gate. The first 2 miles of road are rough, but not too difficult for four-wheel-drive vehicles. After that, the road reaches what’s considered the topmost part of the Turkey Track, which is the merging point for stream flow from Horse, Tule, and Nance canyons—the three “toes” of a huge (and, of course, imaginary) Turkey Track. A wide, flat turnout on the left offers a stop-and-get-out point for those not wanting to continue down the steep, rugged road. Sharp turns over extremely rocky and pitted terrain that overhangs gaping Nance Canyon way below cause pause. It’s approximately 0.5 miles down this steep, rugged section known as the Anza Ridge, then another 0.5 miles or so (northwest) to the mouth of Horse Canyon.

GPS Coordinates		11 HORSE CANYON
UTM Zone (WGS84)		11S
Easting		542439
Northing		3703432
Latitude–Longitude		N 33º 28’ 10.2191”
		W 116º 32’ 35.7690”

If you’ve left your four-wheel drive at the top of the Turkey Track, be sure to take your time walking down the steep Anza Ridge overlooking Nance Canyon, which gapes open below. By going slowly, perhaps stopping to peer down for movement or to enjoy the brushstroke view of water-molded sand or the pale-green and ochre vegetation, you won’t miss the sounds of nature. Quails run by the thousands in this remote area, their calls echoing up the canyon walls and drifting, distant and warped, to your ears above. If you know the area’s recent history, you may pause, wondering if that’s the neigh of horses you hear from down below. It won’t be, but until recently you might well have heard or seen the beautiful wild creatures. Horse Canyon derived its name from domestic horses that escaped nearby ranches nearly a century ago, then bred, multiplying into a sizable herd. In 2003, the park removed the horses.

At the bottom of the steep turkey-track ridge road, head northeast (a compass will come in handy here). The primitive dirt roadway passes Tule Canyon on the right. Cross the stream (often an ill-defined trickle at this point) to enter the wide gap of Horse Canyon, stretching to the north where Nance Canyon opens on the west. A wide Jeep route follows the streambed. In a four-wheel drive, you could possibly drive a mile or more, but don’t count on it—large sandbars, tree trunks, and debris make evident the power of heavily flowing water.

About 1.3 miles from the bottom of the ridge road, White Wash Canyon comes in on the right at a grove of shady cottonwoods. From this point, easily follow the stream another 0.7 miles (or farther if you desire), enjoying the quiet in this wide rift framed by mountains. Horse Canyon can be particularly beautiful on an overcast day, when fingers of golden sun break through blanketing clouds and cast a glow on surrounding mountains. But be aware of unexpected storms. This area is remote; don’t get caught in this sometimes-raging streambed. And navigating the steep section to the top of the Turkey Track could be especially dangerous in stormy weather.