Borrego Sun - Since 1949

How about a desert adventure to a place that has no name?

Tucked away in the curdled landscape of the Carrizo Badlands is an incredibly scenic canyon worthy of exploration, but like the rabbit hole to Wonderland, takes travelers into one of Anza-Borrego's most fascinating areas.

Known as Canyon Sin Nombre, which in Spanish means unnamed canyon, this winding path offers enough for a few hours of exploration, or leads to other areas offering days of adventure, hiking, and off-grid camping opportunities.

This is a remote corner in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, so plan enough time to get there and explore some of the many places to be found.

There are no services here, so carry food, water and off-road gear you may need. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required and it's always a good idea to travel with another vehicle.

At about four miles in length, Canyon Sin Nombre is short enough to also attract hikers to explore the main canyon and the many heavily eroded side canyons and slots that dot the landscape here but are not accessible by vehicle.

To reach the start of your wonderland adventure, head southeast on Highway S-2, starting at the junction of Highway 78, known as Scissors Crossing in Shelter Valley.

On S-2 you will descend through a series of plateaus until you reach the lower desert, passing Blair Valley, through Box Canyon into Mason Valley and east to Agua Caliente.

At 34.3 miles, look for a wide turnoff on your left. This will be just after you climb the tight S curves of Sweeny Pass.

Pause here to enjoy the view over an incredible landscape to the northeast. Colorful layers and folded, eroded and twisted geological formations can be seen and on a clear day the Salton Sea will be shimmering in the distance.

Shift into high range 4wd and let's begin.

Dropping down a sandy slope, you come to the entrance to the rabbit hole, marked by colorful guardian formations of rock bent and twisted by incredible geological forces. About three million years ago, these formations were underwater as part of a meandering Colorado River delta.

This is a winding canyon through a deep cut, but it opens into sandstone formations that are deeply cut by the erosive forces of wind and water.

Take time to stop, hike into the side canyons, some of which narrow into dramatic slot canyons only a few feet wide and over 100 feet deep.

One of the more dramatic canyons will be on the left about two miles into Sin Nombre. There is shade here, and it can be a great place to enjoy the silence of the desert and have lunch.

If you want to explore on foot, hike up the canyon, scramble over some sandstone boulders, and follow the narrowing slot until you emerge on the ridge where a trail will take you to a sweeping view to the south where you left the highway.

Continuing to the north, down Canyon Sin Nombre, you will reach a junction where Carrizo and Vallecito creeks meet.

From here, travelers can turn west and return to S-2 by following Vallecito Creek, passing such tempting places as Arroyo Seco del Diablo, Arroyo Tapiado, Arroyo Hueso, View of the Badlands Wash and Palm Spring.

As we have mentioned before, the serious Anza-Borrego explorer should not be without a copy of "The Anza-Borrego Desert Region," a detailed guide to the history, trails and high points of California's largest state park.

This will be the end of today's journey, but you are down the rabbit hole now and there is much of Wonderland to be explored in the fascinating formations of the Carrizo Badlands that sweep to the north.

The whole area offers much for those who are fascinated by geology, paleontology, unique desert wildlife and plants, or off-grid camping opportunities. While enjoying this area in the comfort of an off-road vehicle is exciting, taking time to hike offers a far more intimate connection with this magical place.

There are even interesting caves here to explore for the really adventurous.

Look for guides to those trips in upcoming issues of Borrego Sun.

You can reach the author at ernie@packtrain.com.