Anza-Borrego North: Drives & Hikes: Palo Verde Canyon

Photo of the entrance to the Molly Mine
Moly Mine across Palo Verde Canyon from the Wonderstone Trail

Palo Verde Canyon north of County Road S-22, and Palo Verde Wash on either side of S-22, are easily identified in spring when the Palo Verde trees are in bloom. At other less scenic times, the way is rocky, there are twists and turns that may take you where you didn't want to go, and you should arm yourself with a compass and the Font's Point map of the USCGS 7.5-minute series. Don't forget the carry plenty of water to drink.

North of S-22, Palo Verde Wash, and in the hard, rocky soil for one or two miles to the west, is a good area to look for Echinocactus polycephalus, the many-headed cactus commonly known as Cotton-Top. Day hikers enter Palo Verde Canyon looking for the Molly Mine (pictured above) and the Natural Rock Tanks. Schad suggests climbing into the mountains or over them to Wonderstone Wash.

See Lindsay and Halford.