Just northwest of Borrego Springs, California, this moderate jeep trail follows scenic Coyote Creek. Without any side trips, it is about ten miles one-way to a secluded campground.

This is a half day adventure with a lot of variety. You pass Desert Gardens, with hundreds of ocotillo and cactus and an easy hiking trail. You are likely to see roadrunners, the entertaining zebratail lizard who curls his tail over his back when running, and an occasional scorpion. From this point, you can walk to Clark Valley over an ancient Cahuilla Indian Trail. It’s a short walk, but steep, with great views from the top of Borrego Valley’s citrus groves.

In 1933, Anza-Borrego was set aside as a state park, in part to preserve the habitat of the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. Since then, their numbers have decreased, and spotting a Bighorn has become a rare experience in California. Along Coyote Canyon, the mountain lion population is on the increase. Not good news for survival of the 200 plus bighorns remaining in the park.

The first water crossing is just after Desert Gardens. Unless it’s been raining in the mountains, this is usually just a dry creek bed. The fun crossing comes at Lower Willows. You will drive your jeep literally into stands of willows through mid-hubcap deep water, depending on the time of year. Once in the water, you turn right, cutting through more tall reeds. This water could be very deep in rainy season. There is great birding in this area.

Out of the water, you begin a rough rocky climb where tire placement is crucial. You may have to restack rocks to avoid body damage. After about a half mile climb you get great views of the Collins Valley below and the lush greenery surrounding Sheep Canyon. The campground at your turnaround point is very secluded and rustic, but does have picnic tables and roofless pit toilets.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park has more than 110 miles of trails and 500 miles of driveable roads within the park. Depending on where you go, you can see chaparrel, grasslands, oak woodlands and coastal forests.