Hiking the Anza Borrego Desert Park from Schmeg.com

   

FOSSILS AND WINDCAVES:
A Sedimental Journey
The vast, alien landscape of the Anza Borrego Desert Park contains many magical environments to explore. For those inspired by the ancient past and spectacular views, the Coyote Mountain wind caves and fossil bed is a real gem.

The trail meanders through constantly shifting sediments and terrain. You start in low mud hills which slowly open into a beautiful cliff-lined valley crossed with sandy washes. As you head into the mountains, you begin to observe the first signs of the wind caves: grottoes peering down from the distant cliffs.

As you trek further, you'll begin to observe fossils such as oyster shells, scallop shells and sand dollars jutting from the sandstone trail. Soon the smooth sandstone gives way to a steep rocky path cut into the landscape. As you reach the ascent, the first of the wind caves appear.

Continue to the right to the largest caves and fossil bed where the views are unforgettable. The surrounding area is filled with unlimited surprises including strange cone formations. Remember to leave protected fossils and other artifacts where you find them.

Many opt to spend the night at the top in the roomy, sand bottom wind caves. The caves are the ongoing result of wind and water erosion of softer sediments removed from the solid granite over millions of years.

Here you'll discover the favorite fossils left by fellow hikers and backpackers displayed in the the many shelves, nooks and crannies of the caves.

The caves and fossil layers which overlook the Carrizo Badlands on one side and the Jacumba Mountains on the other was actually once a shallow sea bed. Hard to imagine as you stand at the top of the grade at 3100 feet.

Enter the park from Highway 8 and take the Ocotillo exit left to the S2. Proceed 7 miles. Turn right and park at the BLM info kiosk at the end. The moderately difficult, 6-mile round-trip hike begins at the trailhead.

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