Anza-Borrego North: Coyote Canyon: Middle Willows to Anza

Photo of pink sky over Santa Rosa Mountains emerging from morning darkness
Mountains of the Northern Reaches of Anza-Borrego

From Middle Willows north, riders may ride as far as their horses are willing to take them. From Anza south, mountain bikers enjoy a trail through wide-open spaces that is only occasionally choked with brush or rocks requiring them to walk.

But for exploring backpackers, the hike from Middle Willows to Anza, or from Anza to Middle Willows, remains one of the great objectives in the State of California.

From North to South

Here are three possible entry points:

From Table Mountain east of Anza, the Pacific Crest Trail can be followed south across Bucksnort Mountain (topped by Combs Peak, the highest point in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park at 6,193 feet) and down to Warner Springs.
From Table Mountain east of the PCT Inside the park, a trail can be taken down Table Mountain's south and east slopes into Horse Canyon. The trail is closed from June 1 through September 30.
Mountain bikers and adventurous motorists pick up the Coyote Canyon Jeep Trail at the southeast end of Terwilliger Valley. Bikers can, with some difficulty, go all the way to Borrego Springs. The terrain will put a halt to motoring at Turkey Track, but Horse Canyon, Nance Canyon, and Tule Canyon can be explored.

From South to North

Distant destinations are to be found north of Middle Willows and Upper Willows. Be sure to carry the USGS 7.5 series topo maps for Collins Valley and Bucksnort Mountain. Accept no substitute.