Getting Oriented
Pinyon Mountain Trail sits in the central Anza-Borrego Desert in San Diego County. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California's largest state park at 600,000 acres and contains roughly 500 miles of designated dirt roads; Pinyon Mountain is one of the most technical of them. The trail runs east-west across the Pinyon Mountain range between County Road S-2 to the west and the Fish Creek Wash drainage to the east.
Additional photos and a first-hand trail report at our sister site OutdoorSoCal.
Trail Overview
Eight and a half miles of designated route to the eastern terminus, plus a 15-mile sandy exit through Fish Creek Wash to Split Mountain Road. Most of the first six miles run as relatively benign two-track climbing through pinyon-juniper terrain. The technical work clusters between mile 6.9 and mile 7.9. After Heart Attack Hill, the route descends into the Pinyon Wash drainage and joins Fish Creek Wash for the sand exit. Plan four to six hours from S-2 to Split Mountain depending on group size and how clean the obstacles run.
The Three Obstacles
- The Squeeze (mile 6.9). A tight off-camber passage between two rock walls. Body damage risk for full-size trucks. Spot the line before committing.
- The Rock Garden (mile 7.3). A sequence of stepped boulders that includes the Rear Window Breaker — exactly what it sounds like. Spotter mandatory.
- Heart Attack Hill / Pinyon Mountain Drop-off (mile 7.9). A steep descent down loose rock into the Pinyon Wash drainage. The crux of the route. Lockers and proper tires don't make this easy; they make it possible.
Vehicle and Gear Requirements
- 4WD with at least one locking differential. Front and rear lockers preferred.
- Minimum 33-inch tires.
- High ground clearance. Stock vehicles get hung up routinely.
- Full recovery gear: traction boards, kinetic rope, winch, hi-lift or bottle jack.
- Spare tire and a tire repair kit. Sharp rock punctures are common.
- Comms beyond cell phones (CB, GMRS, or satellite messenger). No cell service on the route.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on designated roadways within Anza-Borrego SP, with vehicles required to stay within one car length of the road. The Sandstone Canyon area along Fish Creek Wash is a popular shaded lunch or overnight stop. Borrego Springs has commercial campgrounds and lodging for staging. Ocotillo Wells SVRA next door has more developed RV-style sites if Borrego fills up.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Run with at least one other vehicle. Self-recovery on Heart Attack Hill is not a realistic plan.
- Confirm trail status with the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center (760-767-4205) before driving. The park closes corridors after rain to protect the road bed.
- Air down before entering Fish Creek Wash. Fifteen miles of deep sand will bury a rig at street pressure.
- Carry more water than you think. Desert temperatures swing 50°F between night and day in winter.
- Bring a Garmin inReach or PLB. Cell coverage is gone from the moment you leave S-2.
- For OHV recreation, head to Ocotillo Wells SVRA next door. Anza-Borrego itself bans OHV use and only permits street-legal vehicles.
