Morteros Canyon Hike in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, from Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert by Robin Halford.

Morteros Canyon Hike in
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Taken from Robin Halford's Book - 'Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert - Over 100 Half-Day Hikes'. For book review click here.     
Illustration by Paulette Ache.

Morteros Canyon
(2.8 miles total; Strenuous)

The Blair valley turnoff is on the east side of S2 at Mile 22.9 (look for the sign approximately 5.7 miles south of Scissors Crossing). Drive east and then south along the base of the hills on the jeep road that goes through the valley. This area has lots of agave, yucca, ocotillo, juniper, and cholla. After 1.2 miles, look for an arrow on a post directing vehicles to go right. Drive another 1.7 miles to a fork and turn left (east). Drive 0.2 mile and turn left again. Drive 0.5 mile to the parking area on the right (south) side of the road.

Walk south along the well-used trail for 0.2 mile to an area with large boulders. This was the site of a Kumeyaay village. There are many morteros (grinding holes) and metates (slick areas on rock surfaces) that were used to prepare food. Stay to the left (east) side of the canyon and continue walking down the canyon toward the south. Several places require careful boulder scrambling. Look for barrel cactus, beavertail, desert lavender, catclaw, desert apricot, brittlebush, jojoba, lycium, and cheesebush. After 1.2 miles, there are several boulders overlooking the area where the canyon drops off steeply. This is a good place to stop. The Vallecito Stage Stop and the Laguna Mountains are visible beyond the canyon mouth. Return the way you came.