Borrego Springs: Box Canyon - Coyote Canyon - Lower Willows

Rating	*****
length	7.5 mile - 3 hour 40 minutes (Return trip). Moderate.
Height	1130 - 2110 feet
Access	You need a higher clearence car and sometimes a 4x4 to get to the gate / trailhead. There is a small parking just before the gate and some more just before third crossing.
Other Trails	C
Data	To download these files, right-click the link and choose 'save as' |--| .GPX (GPS file) |-----| .KML (Google Earth file)

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Nice canyon loop.

Follow the driving instructions of the hike below.
In February 2011 all crossing had water in them. The water in first and second crossing is nothing to worry about.
You need an high clearance car and an AWD is preferred.

Follow the same trail as to the Box Canyon.

When the main fork turns to the right, another fork goes straight on. (Keep left)
This canyon is more narrow and filled with some small boulders.
Follow the wash, sometimes keeping to the right of it, stepping over some boulders.
The sandy wash levels and goes down again.
Enjoy the easy stroll in the wash, heading down.

Boulders, the wash is full of them.
Nothing difficult, just find the best way down, stepping over and around the boulders. Sometimes sliding, but never difficult.

But you have seen enough boulders for today, when you reach the Coyote canyon wash below.
Turn left (South / West).

Try to stay not too far from the mountain to your left.
Hike in the nice firm wash downstream.

These washes clearly get a fair amount of water.

Willows appear and you can see the palm trees, far away in front of you.

Closer to the palms, you should reach the lower willow trail.
Follow it downhill not to your right.

Grass, willows and water.
It may be a bit muddy on the trail and you have to cross the water a couple of times. Normally not something to worry about.
But sometimes at the end of Winter or early Spring there may be more water, making the Lower Willows trail impossible to hike.

As you exit the Lower Willows trail keep left of the "road".
The 3th Crossing is on your right. The crossing may have plenty of water in it, as it did in February 2010 and 2011.
Some park the car before the crossing, some make it across by car.








Disclamer: Read this first before you start your hike.
Contact: usa/at/e/f/m/e/r/.eu (leave out the /)
All hikes recorded on pocket loox (pocket PC) using gpsTuner(.com)
Hiking Box Canyon - Coyote Canyon - Lower Willows Borrego Springs Area (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park) California, Hike with gps, gpx and kml (Google Earth).