Desert Magic and Salton Breezes
A Morning Stretch and a Hidden Oasis
We woke to a warm, sunny morning – the perfect excuse to stretch our legs after days of driving. Rose and I started with a jog up a nearby canyon before regrouping with Monika to plan the day. We decided to head toward Borrego Springs to a short trail leading to a desert oasis.
The hike took us through a wide mountain valley teeming with ocotillo, cholla, barrel cacti, and prickly pear. Though the trail was hot and exposed, the payoff was magical: a true desert oasis of palm trees, lush ferns, and green grasses sprouting around a clear creek with waterfalls and boulders. We scrambled through the palms for a while before making the descent back to the van.
Bookstore and Bittersweet Goodbyes
Back at the trailhead, we prepped lunch and plotted our next move. We headed into Borrego Springs to explore, stopping first at a fantastic bookstore and natural science center. The shop was filled with books about the desert lore of the area, and the clerk was super friendly and knowledgeable about the Southwest park systems. Afterward, a quick thrift store stop scored me a new pair of warm-weather pants, perfect for our upcoming Arizona trek.
By mid-afternoon, the road was calling Monika home. Between her recent marathon, the cold spells, and five days of car-camping, she was ready to see Josh, her cat, and her shower again. We said our goodbyes, and Rose and I headed back out, passing the town’s famous massive iron sculptures. I was struck by the “lazy beach town” vibe of the area; with the palm trees and the scent of salt in the air from the nearby Salton Sea, it felt just like laid back town on the coast.
Into Blair Valley
We spent the evening driving toward Blair Valley, a dispersed camping area surrounded by promising trails. The drive was epic, offering vistas of wide valleys and dense patches of barrel cacti. To our surprise, the valley floor was carpeted in vibrant green grass. We found a secluded spot in the foothills just before sunset, the nicest spot on the trip so far, ending the day with a quiet fire and a good book.
