Anza-Borrego Letterboxes- California Poppy LbNA #52896

Your journey begins in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This is a beautiful park in the desert, but it can be very hot and dangerous at times. The best time to go is the Wildflower season, March-early May, when it is not to hot.
Beware of Cactus and other plants. You will be hiking in the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature trail. This 3-mile, self-guided nature trail takes you from a small campground to a beautiful Palm Oasis. Be sure to pick up a trail guide from the trail head, as the guide describes 15 points of interest along the way. (These points are marked.) But be warned, this trail could turn from flat dirt path to slippery, narrow rocky steps. You will also have to be careful that you don't get lost. Beware of snakes. But the view in the end is so beautiful. Bring gloves just in case of any spines when reaching in for the box. You will need a compass.

CLUES: From Palm Canyon Drive, turn right on the road that takes you to the campground. You will need to pay an $8 fee for day use. Follow this road STRAIGHT until it ends at the parking lot of the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail. Locate the trailhead, which is the start of the trail. Pick up a trail guide brochure from here. Hike up the rocky path. Watch out for cactus and other bushes. You might see several wildflowers on the side of the trail. At marker #3, the designated trail is now marked by lined-up logs and small rocks. If you come at the right time, there should be a stream on your left. Continue on. By marker #9, the trail is designated by just small rocks. Look up to the mountains on your right. See any Bighorn Sheep? Once at marker #11, cross the "palm bridge" over the stream. Turn right once you are across. Head toward the palm trees. You are now only a 1/2 mile away from the palm oasis. This is where the trail becomes VERY rocky. If you get lost, just look for posts, hikers, or just head to the palm trees. At marker #14, you are almost there, just a few minutes away from the oasis, and the box. At marker #15 you are now at the oasis.:)

Now, stand with your back to the marker #15. Walk up the rock hill at 100 degrees. At the top, walk over a large, flat, grey rock. Continue up the rock steps until you get to the first bush. The oasis should be down on your left. From this plant, walk 7 steps at 280 degrees to a huge gray boulder. Step down to the right of this boulder in front of you. Look at the ground. You wil notice a V-shape created by the boulder, and another small boulder. At the point of the V, you will find the Camo letterbox under sticks and what a letterboxer would assume is a SPOR.

When you are done, please rehide the box EXACTLY where you found it, and cover it with sticks, followed by re-making the SPOR. Please make sure you are not seen by any hikers when removing, or re-hiding the box as the oasis is the most popular spot in Anza-Borrego.

To get back to your car, you can either go back the way you came, or go back to marker #11 and continue to go straight. This will take you along the Alternate Trail which is rougher, but the same length as the trail you came in on. It will also take you back to the parking lot. Thank You, and enjoy Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.