Indianhead - Borrego Palm Canyon - Anza Borrego State Park

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Description:
Start time 6:00 am on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead. Expected sunrise 6:35 am. You will need to pay $10.00 for parking (single day). 9-mile hiking route out and back with 3,175 feet elevation gain (and descent). This will be a full day hike; expect to spend at least 7 hours hiking. This route is a Class 2 scramble and goes off-trail after 1.5 miles. After the summit, I will be spending the rest of the available day lounging and napping in the Borrego Palm Oasis, feel free to stay and chill out.

You Should Join...!
...This group if you meet one or more of following criteria: Advanced hiker, prior experience scrambling (class 2 or higher), working on your DPS list completion, comfortable hiking 7+ hours in a single day at a constant pace, and/or want to spend an afternoon soaking in the Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis. If you are a beginner, this hike will not be the best fit for you; if however still interested do contact me directly.

Navigation:
Bring either a topographic map and compass or a GPX track (with satellite support) through Garmin, CalTopo, Gaia, and or AllTrails. If you are bringing Map and Compass, know how to use it. If you are bringing GPX, download the map beforehand, and know how to use it. Ifyou are bringing AllTrails, note the deviation at about 2.7 miles up to the main ridge base. If you are unfamiliar with using either style navigation, watch the following three videos:
Map & Compass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAanVAKir_w
Navigation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2MjBmj-5YQ
GPX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nu-6lMHrMM

Pacing:
I hike at a comfortable pace (for me), which often resembles 3 miles per hour on flat terrain and or 1,000 feet ascent per hour on steep/off-trail terrain. If you are unable to keep up, I will wait at various checkpoint(s) on the route. If you are ahead, I will happily meet you at the summit. There is no designated/official sweep. You are expected to focus and exert effort towards completing the hike. The slope angle for the primary uphill section to summit is 29 degrees over 1.5 miles. For reference, this is steeper than Iron Mountain's (8007 - aka Big Iron) main summit push.

Details and Links:
Meetup time: 6:00 a.m. (Sunrise at 6:35 am)
Meetup location: Borrego Palm Canyon (Trailhead, not visitor center). https://maps.app.goo.gl/ADHAfTYscFYUjSKdA
Parking Fee $10.00: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
Route: DPS Route B (the blue line). https://desertpeaks.org/Cd%20guides/guides/htmlguides/guide0501/guide0501.html
Downloadable GPX Map: https://caltopo.com/m/PJEUFLG
Trip Report (1): https://photos.app.goo.gl/nx6DJUk4Tgzk37vn8
Trip Report (2): https://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports/whale_1.html
Scramble Rating System: https://www.sierraclub.org/angeles/sierra-peaks/ratings-for-scramblers
Weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-116.446&lat=33.241

Important:
Must-bring Items: Water/Food, trail-ready shoes, navigation materials (see above)
Recommended items: Ten Essentials, hiking poles, headlight, appropriate clothes, and sun protection
Evacuations: Serious injuries will result in the group immediately returning to the nearest trail exit

You are responsible for your own health and safety. Know your limits and, if unsure, ask before joining. This is a strenuous hike with a primary focus on reaching the Indianhead summit. Previous hiking experience and ability to maintain group pace are expressed requisites to accompany this group hike. The Event Organizer is not a professional guide; he only suggests where and when to meet. By signing up for and or attending this hike you are acknowledging that 1) you (and your guests) are aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with outdoor activity and 2) you freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards and release the event organizer from all liabilities.

Please provide at least 3 hours' notice of attendance and, if cancelling, 1 hour's notice of non-attendance. Attendance may be marked by joining this meetup group or by contacting Matthew Fox at (818) 484-0467.