Saturday, 14th of November 2009 at 04:06:23 PM Rockhouse Canyon & Valley |
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Distance: 19 miles, loop Hiking Time 13 hours (over night) Elevation Gain/Loss 3500′/3500′ Difficulty: Rough |
Directions: From Borrego Springs follow Highway S22 generally east for 7.5 miles to miles marker 26.7, turn onto Clark’s Well Road. After 1.5 miles bear left on Rockhouse Truck Trail. 13 miles later you reach your destination.
From the road closure proceed about 1 mile up the canyon to Hidden Spring.
Over the next 3.5 miles beyond this point is Rockhouse Canyon.
After passing the county line you leave Anza-Borego Desert State Park and enter Bureau of Land Management land. After passing the tributary also to the east, the canyon broadens as you enter Rockhouse Valley.
Follow the main wash up the west side valley until you reach the base of a boulder strewn ridge 0.6 mil northwest of the valley entrance. Then go .2 mile north to find the three rock houses.
From the lower rock houses head cross country due northwest through sparse vegetation toward a low rounded hill spur at the upper end of the valley 2.5 miles away. That spur is your next destination at Nicholas Canyon. When you reach the base of the spur swing left(west) around tit and pick up an informal trail that goes dwon to the creek in Nicholias Canyon.
Plenty of water flows here during winter and early spring. Follow either bank upstream, passing old mining debris.
Up-canyon after a bend to the right (northeast) you’ll come upon a creek hugging grove of alders. This is a perfect place to camp for the evening. The west bank has some clear areas, 200 yards to the east of the main canyon is good water. Above the south of this spring are two more rock house ruins and you can also make camp here on a near by flat.
From the last of the rock house runs, go east to a sandy flat containing cottonwoods (another possible camp!). Follow the shallow drainage east of this flat; when it deepens pick up a well worn trail on the left (north side). The trail switchbacks downward and then strikes a path southeast down abroad ridge. A trail straight ahead leads back to Rockhouse Canyon and then simply follow your foot prints back to the car!
