Sunday Drive - Anza Borrego Desert State Park - Buttes Pass Area

Heather and I took a drive out to Anza Borrego Desert State Park last Sunday (Nov 2). The plan was to hike a little, find a scenic spot for a picnic lunch, try out the 4WD system in the new Xterra, and generally just enjoy a quiet day in a really nice place. With over 1,000 square miles of desert to wander in, we had no problem finding what we were looking for.

Our first stop was Hawk Canyon, off of Buttes Pass Road, where got in a little hike up to the back of the canyon. The sun was bright, but the temperature was pleasant. Over the next few months it will just keep getting better (as in cooler) too.

From Hawk Canyon we drove over Buttes Pass heading north and turned east in San Felipe Wash. When I saw this in the mirror I knew it was time to stop for another picture.

It looks like the truck has picked up a bit of dust since the first picture was taken.

The views from along the Goat Trail are always nice.

We found a nice shady spot for lunch, pulled out the chairs, put our feet up on the cooler and enjoyed the view.

I took advantage of the tilt-screen on my camera to get this Schnauzer's-eye view of a cholla catcus in the late afternoon sun.

We drove out to the top of the Borrego Mountain Drop-Off for the late afternoon view north, with the setting sun behind us. Heather found a nice spot to sit and enjoy it.

As we headed home across the mountains we were treated to some great views of the clouds and the setting sun.

Click here to see a few more images from Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Sunday, November 2, 2014.