San Diego County


Historic Route. The route enters the county from the east along San Felipe Creek, passes through the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area and the Borrego Springs area, and follows Coyote Canyon through Anza-Borrego State Park.

Federal Components
None

High Potential Route Segments
San Felipe Creek trail within Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA): any routes in Ocotillo Wells SVRA would include provision for use of off-highway vehicles (OHVs).

Anza Trail within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: the existing trail route through Coyote Canyon follows the route of the historic expedition. The natural qualities of the Canyon have been retained to a degree that the user would see the area much as Anza did in 1775. If vehicles are used during periods when the road is open, four-wheel-drive, street legal, vehicles are recommended. They are routed around Lower Willows to protect the fragile ecosystem. The hiking and equestrian trail continues through Lower Willows. The trail is closed from June 16 to September 15 to protect Bighorn sheep.

Historic Sites
Camp #50, Los Puertecitos
Camp # 51, San Gregorio 
Camp # 52, El Vado 
Camp # 53, Santa Catarina
American Indian sites
• Barrel Spring near Squaw Peak
• Lower, Middle, and Upper Willows
• Santa Catarina Springs

Interpretive Sites
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 
• Visitor center
• Vern Whitaker Horse Camp
• Panel depicting expedition at Di Giorgio entrance

Recreational Trail
Public land ownership may permit a connection to existing trails in public ownership on the historic route.

Auto Route (marked)
State highway 78 and state secondary highway 3 (S3) to Borrego Springs approximate the historic route. From there, only 4-wheel drive vehicles can experience a portion of the historic route through Coyote Canyon. Vehicles would follow S22 from Borrego Springs, to state highway 79 north into Riverside County, connect with state highway 371 and with Bautista Canyon Road.

Agency/Organization Coordination
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Cahuilla Indian Tribe
Community of Borrego Springs
State of California 
• Caltrans
• Department of Parks & Recreation
     Anza-Borrego State Desert Park
     Ocotillo Wells SVRA
• Department of Fish and Game 
• Native American Heritage Commission
• Office of Historic Preservation
• Office of Tourism
US Fish and Wildlife Service

Note: Task forces in San Diego and Riverside counties emphasized the environmental sensitivity of Coyote Canyon. All plans for trail use and marking must carefully consider impacts on natural and cultural resources. Any proposals for trail use related to this management plan will require a site-specific environmental assessment or impact statement.
Appendix C