Clark Valley

Approach

Starting from Borrego Springs, drive East on S22 (Palm Canyon Dr). Go East from Christmas Circle for 4.4 miles and the road turns North and becomes Pegleg Rd. Continue North 2.5 miles and the road turns East again. Go East 0.5 miles (33n 17.638, 116w 17.355) to an easy to miss dirt road going North towards Clark Lake. After 0.3 miles on the jeep trail, bear right at the fork. This jeep trail takes you through Clark Valley to the starting point at about 900' elevation, about 7.2 miles from the paved road. There are many soft sandy sections and lots of rocks. Skilled drivers make it with passenger cars, but a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle makes it an easy drive.

Allow an hour driving time for the 14.6 miles from Borrego Springs to the starting point.

Route Description

Cross Clark Valley at about the 900' contour line heading directly North to the "Corp" mark on the topo map where you will find Petroglyphs on the rocks there (33n 24.018, 116w 19.804). From the Petroglyphs, continue North along the wash and climb the ridge on your right. When you get to about 2,000' you drop down into the next wash on your right and follow that wash past the fork (bear right) at 2,400'. Another 0.2 miles and the wash widens out with many nice places to camp (33n 25.433, 116w 19.845) if you're backpacking.

Most routes have you climb up the north side of the wash towards peak 3489 but we prefer continuing NE along the wash until you cross over a small saddle and connecting with the next wash which takes you North towards Lorenzens Peak. The going is easier in the wash than climbing the steep, cactus covered hillside going up to 3489. From the wash head North cross country to the base of the peak at 3,900' (33n 27.028, 116w 19.393).

From the base of the peak at 3,900' you have a long, steep rock scramble up to the peak. In that last 1.25 miles the route climbs almost 2,700'.

Essential Gear

Bring all your water. There is no water on this route.

Miscellaneous Info

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