BajaNomad

Washes East of Valle Chico

BeachSeeker - 12-15-2025 at 03:41 PM

Anyone know what the pool is at This Location? It appears to have something to do with the ranch nearby as there is another one about a mile North East.

Anyone ever been out there? I tried to check it out last week but got about 3 miles South and ran into an impassable gate and a long fence. I'll try to approach from the North next time. Looks like there's a Ranch further North East. Maybe I can throw the rancher a couple hundred pesos to let me in.

Speaking of washes with water in them, anyone been to Canon del Diablo recently? How's access there? Any other washes with water flowing to the desert floor in the area? Thanks!

30.853525306124688, -115.23702770063186

David K - 12-15-2025 at 04:35 PM

We have many posts on the Eastside canyons facing Valle Chico. Search posts from geoffff, myself, and PaulW. See maps of the canyons at www.vivabaja.com/maps The oldest is from Bud Bernhard in 1962.

Edit: Your GPS and image map is El Cajon Canyon.

Look here:
https://vivabaja.com/canyons/

In the trip reports forum see the Relive map shows from Wornout. He goes to El Cajon and the other canyons on his Friday desert runs from San Felipe.

On Oct. 24: https://www.relive.com/view/v36A9e5XxZ6



[Edited on 12-15-2025 by David K]

More on El Cajon Canyon

David K - 12-16-2025 at 08:42 AM

Baja Nomad 'Jide' and I hiked up El Cajon in 2004, after meeting up and camping with other Nomads at Parral Canyon and then we explored Agua Caliente Canyon: https://vivabaja.com/p404/

I wrote about the canyons in this article (map and photos): https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/san_feli...

My 2004 map with mileages:

BeachSeeker - 12-16-2025 at 11:47 AM

Well you just took all the mystery out of it! I've been trying to explore what that water holding thing was, and lo and behold there's a picture of it right there on your website.

I was hoping for a little more recent report on access. I'm sure things have changed greatly since 2004. I appreciate the trip report nonetheless. Gives me an idea what to expect as I plan on exploring most of these canyons over the winter/spring. Thanks!

David K - 12-16-2025 at 02:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker  
Well you just took all the mystery out of it! I've been trying to explore what that water holding thing was, and lo and behold there's a picture of it right there on your website.

I was hoping for a little more recent report on access. I'm sure things have changed greatly since 2004. I appreciate the trip report nonetheless. Gives me an idea what to expect as I plan on exploring most of these canyons over the winter/spring. Thanks!


Oct. 24, 2025: https://www.relive.com/view/v36A9e5XxZ6

mtgoat666 - 12-16-2025 at 04:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker  
Anyone know what the pool is at This Location? It appears to have something to do with the ranch nearby as there is another one about a mile North East.

Anyone ever been out there? I tried to check it out last week but got about 3 miles South and ran into an impassable gate and a long fence. I'll try to approach from the North next time. Looks like there's a Ranch further North East. Maybe I can throw the rancher a couple hundred pesos to let me in.

Speaking of washes with water in them, anyone been to Canon del Diablo recently? How's access there? Any other washes with water flowing to the desert floor in the area? Thanks!

30.853525306124688, -115.23702770063186


Cajon canyon is one of the old trails to the plateau. There used to be a trail that connected cajon canyon and santa rosa meadow. Havent heard of anyone hiking it in many years…

BeachSeeker - 12-16-2025 at 08:25 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Oct. 24, 2025: https://www.relive.com/view/v36A9e5XxZ6


Man you just have all the answers!

So it's looks like the approach from the North is required. They did, however, go through a gate. I wonder if that is always open, pay to open, or Warren just knows the rancher. I'll have to ask him about it.

Thanks!

David K - 12-17-2025 at 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BeachSeeker  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Oct. 24, 2025: https://www.relive.com/view/v36A9e5XxZ6


Man you just have all the answers!

So it's looks like the approach from the North is required. They did, however, go through a gate. I wonder if that is always open, pay to open, or Warren just knows the rancher. I'll have to ask him about it.

Thanks!


Way back 21 years ago, we parked at the cattle fence across the canyon entrance, and walked through. The ranch house were a Nomad lived back then was on the south side of the arroyo. There is a road across the valley signed for El Cajon from the East Valley Road. I show part of it on my Road Guide map... Km. 31.5:



My Road Guide Page, Mile 19.5: