Overlanding Solo in January in Anza Borrego?

[NC Bruce]

I am planning an overland trip w my son for Jan 5-12, starting out of Las Vegas with a well built rental Taco. Looking at Mojave and or Anza Borrego and a bit unsure how common it is to overland solo on these trails/areas in the winter. We are from NC w rock crawling experience n camping experience but first time overlanders. Looking for suggested destinations, sights, routes and ideally, company to join us to help get us kicked off. Your help n suggestions are welcome. Thx, Bruce

 

[Berkshires]

January will have a lot of people in Anza - not crowded, but you'll never feel alone - solo is not a problem, just make sure you are prepared with recovery gear. My wife and I go there every January and explore the trails. I would suggest getting "Anza Borrego Desert Region" book before your trip

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[NC Bruce]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like our solo plan has legs to go forward. The rental Taco recovery gear includes a shovel , tow strap & Max Trax, but no winch. Any other items we should include for recovery? Any chance you & your wife will be there during that week of Jan 5-12? Thx again

 

[Berkshires]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like our solo plan has legs to go forward. The rental Taco recovery gear includes a shovel , tow strap & Max Trax, but no winch. Any other items we should include for recovery? Any chance you & your wife will be there during that week of Jan 5-12? Thx again

Never needed any recovery gear there, but did have MaxTrax, shovel, tow straps, and winch. We are planning a trip out there in January - we just moved back to the east coast after 7 years in CA - really miss all the off-road opportunities out there. A lot depends on Covid and travel restrictions. If we do make it out there, I'll let you know.

 

[NC Bruce]

Welcome to the East Coast. Do you think a week is too long in Anza Borrego or should we mix it up with a few days in Mojave or Death Valley? (we are starting in Las Vegas). Thx

 

[Berkshires]

we always did one week in Anza, 4 days in Joshua Tree and a hotel for a few days in between in Palm Springs. Anza is big and there is plenty to explore - we have a favorite camping spot that I'll let you know about - I'll send you the details. Also, nice to spend a day or two in town - good places to eat.

 

[NC Bruce]

Sounds like a great two weeks. What town were you referring to for spending a day or two?

 

[KrelleKryl]

"January will have a lot of people in Anza - not crowded, but you'll never feel alone"

Haha, for somebody coming from the East Coast, I'm not quite sure that's entirely true ;).

The whole place is cool with a lot of camping anywhere. I personally like Jasper Trail as one of the first places to camp. Fish Creek is a cool place, but there'll be more people there - but it's undeniably cool (in a State Park, not National Park, kinda way). Nearby Valley of the Moon has really cool camping too, but it's on the Mexican border, so you'd have to be comfortable with that.

Coming from Las Vegas, you might also consider doing the Mojave Road - I personally love that place and the landscape is quite varied. It's a good three-day trip end-to-end if you want to get the most of it.

A somewhat different place to consider (but on the way) would be Idyllwild / Thomas Mountain area. It's going to be weather dependent, but a lot of really great camping around there (it's mountainous with trees and granite, so not the desert experience).

Oh, and finally - solo is totally fine - I do that all the time and as long as you're staying off the trails rated hard, you'll be totally fine in the Taco. The winch isn't of much use anyway, since there isn't a tree in sight... (unless you do Idyllwild / TM).

 

[Berkshires]

"January will have a lot of people in Anza - not crowded, but you'll never feel alone"

Haha, for somebody coming from the East Coast, I'm not quite sure that's entirely true ;).

The whole place is cool with a lot of camping anywhere. I personally like Jasper Trail as one of the first places to camp. Fish Creek is a cool place, but there'll be more people there - but it's undeniably cool (in a State Park, not National Park, kinda way). Nearby Valley of the Moon has really cool camping too, but it's on the Mexican border, so you'd have to be comfortable with that.

Coming from Las Vegas, you might also consider doing the Mojave Road - I personally love that place and the landscape is quite varied. It's a good three-day trip end-to-end if you want to get the most of it.

A somewhat different place to consider (but on the way) would be Idyllwild / Thomas Mountain area. It's going to be weather dependent, but a lot of really great camping around there (it's mountainous with trees and granite, so not the desert experience).

Oh, and finally - solo is totally fine - I do that all the time and as long as you're staying off the trails rated hard, you'll be totally fine in the Taco. The winch isn't of much use anyway, since there isn't a tree in sight... (unless you do Idyllwild / TM).

not coming from the east - lived out in CA for years, and visited Anza a lot, January always had lots of visitors.

 

[Berkshires]

Sounds like a great two weeks. What town were you referring to for spending a day or two?

Borrego Springs is the only real town and worth a visit.

 

[LostWoods]

not coming from the east - lived out in CA for years, and visited Anza a lot, January always had lots of visitors.

I think it was more a reference to the fact that for much of the east coast, it's impossible to get away from everyone... at least that was my experience throughout most of the mid-atlantic.

 

[Berkshires]

I think it was more a reference to the fact that for much of the east coast, it's impossible to get away from everyone... at least that was my experience throughout most of the mid-atlantic.

I thought about that after I posted - makes sense, but after being in Anza during the 2019 Super-bloom, that was the most crowded camping I've ever seen.

 

[Downs]

Fall winter time is the desert "season" out there. You'll have the most traffic out there then. Maybe more so with COVID and everything being closed down. You'll still have plenty of room just watch for SxSs and dirt bikes.

 

[Alertchief]

I am planning an overland trip w my son for Jan 5-12, starting out of Las Vegas with a well built rental Taco. Looking at Mojave and or Anza Borrego and a bit unsure how common it is to overland solo on these trails/areas in the winter. We are from NC w rock crawling experience n camping experience but first time overlanders. Looking for suggested destinations, sights, routes and ideally, company to join us to help get us kicked off. Your help n suggestions are welcome. Thx, Bruce

Hit me up for the Mohave part at least. I was just out there and am often. I am in town at my place in Vegas that week.

 

[NC Bruce]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, great to have local knowledge. Is there a map or book that offers trail ratings? My map Anza doesnt show trail ratings just Jeep Trail vs hiking etc. I've got an Anza guide book on order and have not looked into a Mojave guide book yet. The only place I've seen ratings is on You Tube videos and I'd enjoy doing some of the canyon trails I've seen but not sure the Taco with a Khaya camper will squeeze thru. Any suggestions for rated maps etc?

And for Alert Chief - we could meet up for Mojave early in our Jan 5 -12 trip or at the end. We'll be spending our first night (Jan 5th) Mojave so maybe hitting that area first makes sense, but we are flexible.

 

[Berkshires]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, great to have local knowledge. Is there a map or book that offers trail ratings? My map Anza doesnt show trail ratings just Jeep Trail vs hiking etc. I've got an Anza guide book on order and have not looked into a Mojave guide book yet. The only place I've seen ratings is on You Tube videos and I'd enjoy doing some of the canyon trails I've seen but not sure the Taco with a Khaya camper will squeeze thru. Any suggestions for rated maps etc?

And for Alert Chief - we could meet up for Mojave early in our Jan 5 -12 trip or at the end. We'll be spending our first night (Jan 5th) Mojave so maybe hitting that area first makes sense, but we are flexible.

There is a good Anza Borrego App - I have it for the iPhone, not sure about android version. Really good, has a great map with hiking, camping, and off-road trails, with description and user ratings - some describe the trial difficulty. It's called "Anza-Borrego Region" - ‎Anza-Borrego Region

 

[NC Bruce]

Great, I’ll download it n check it out thx

 

[spazegun2213]

and subscribed :)
I'd love to know what you all plan and if you're looking for a partner in crime Jan 7-10ish...

 

[NC Bruce]

Sounds great spazegun, I'll reach out when we get closer with our plan for Jan 7-10. Looking forward to it.

 

[Alertchief]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, great to have local knowledge. Is there a map or book that offers trail ratings? My map Anza doesnt show trail ratings just Jeep Trail vs hiking etc. I've got an Anza guide book on order and have not looked into a Mojave guide book yet. The only place I've seen ratings is on You Tube videos and I'd enjoy doing some of the canyon trails I've seen but not sure the Taco with a Khaya camper will squeeze thru. Any suggestions for rated maps etc?

And for Alert Chief - we could meet up for Mojave early in our Jan 5 -12 trip or at the end. We'll be spending our first night (Jan 5th) Mojave so maybe hitting that area first makes sense, but we are flexible.

I am in town then and could do a night or two with you either on Mohave or Dv if you like. Titus canyon entering deaths valley is amazing. Let me know.