Join us in ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK (Southern California)
for our BIG GROUP CAMPING ADVENTURE
& Gay Camping Friends Southwest Regional Meet-Up
Hosted by: California Gay Adventures
We have booked 4 group campsites in the Borrego Palms Campground which will fit up to 60 people and 22 vehicles in our sites. Carpooling will be required for campsite parking, however, there is a large overflow parking lot nearby.
PRICING:
$55 per person - Group Site Spot
$20 per person - Your Own Site or Hotel
Update from main event website at JoinCGA.com
REGISTER HERE
CLICK HERE FOR CARPOOLS
Gear/Meals List Coming Soon
Update 9/18: If you have not yet booked your spot for our Big Group Anza Borrego Camping trip Oct 19-22, grab your spot! We will be closing new registrations on Thursday, Oct 5th so we can finalize activities and group meals/needs. We currently have 45+ people registered with ~28 in our group sites and ~20 in private sites. We have room for 20+ more people in the group sites. Book Here: https://bit.ly/CGANZA
Join us in ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK (Southern California)
for our BIG GROUP CAMPING ADVENTURE
& Gay Camping Friends Southwest Regional Meet-Up
Hosted by: California Gay Adventures
We have booked 4 group campsites in the Borrego Palms Campground which will fit up to 60 people and 22 vehicles in our sites. Carpooling will be required for campsite parking, however, there is a large overflow parking lot nearby. Please add your vehicle to our CARPOOL LIST if you can offer rides
CLICK HERE TO BOOK IN THE GROUP SITE:
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR OWN SITE:
Want your own campsite? You can book directly at the website link below. Click "Reservations" and then search for Borrego Palms Canyon Campground. There is also dispersed options nearby. Registration is still required for $20 per person to participate in group activities and it's nice to support the cause.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/#!park/2/327
STAY AT A HOTEL:
The Palms at Indian Head is a short walk away
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort (1.3 miles away)
Registration is required for $20 per person to participate in group activities.
Please note that the campground does charge a daily parking fee if you want to drive in and join us.
GROUP MEALS:
As our customary fashion, we will plan group meals for this event with CGA supplying a group kitchen and plenty of propane for the weekend. We will send out our group meal plan and a sign-up sheet for members to bring items for our meals 2 weeks prior to the event. This is always a fun aspect of the trip and is completely optional.
Basic Itinerary: Subject to change
Thursday 10/19: Arrivals
3pm - Arrive at Camp & Set up Group Kitchen/Tents + Pride Decor
5pm - Welcome Gather in Site #1 - Introductions
5:30pm - Sunset Hike (Sunset is at 6:14pm)
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis(2.9 miles, 456 elevation gain)
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Brats, Brews & Campfire
You can also bring your own grub to cook - We will supply the stoves and propane as long as you clean up after yourself.
Friday 10/20: More Arrivals, Hikes & 4x4
9-9:30am - Group Breakfast - Breakfast Burritos
10:30am - Activities - Gather in Site #1
Morning Hikes:
Hosts: Rick Van Bruggen, TBD
Slot Canyon Experience
Two Options:
Option 1: The Slot (2.3 miles, 301 ft elevation)
Option 2: West Butte, Wind Caves, Slot Loop Trail (4.5 miles, 679 ft elevation)
Parking: Google Map (2wd OK)
BRING YOUR LUNCH
Afternoon 4x4 Run:
Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD)
Ocotillo Wells Exploration
We will start with the main group at The Slot for a hike through the slot canyon above and then jump in our vehicles and go check out Ocotillo Wells and witness the Pumpkin Patch and more. Article on the trails. High clearance 4x4 required. Check out our radio guide for more information about radios. We will also have a few radios that we can lend out. Passengers must request rides directly with drivers as we will not be placing people, due to insurance and other reasons.
7-7:30pm - Group Dinner - Pasta & Meatballs
Campfire Fun
Saturday 10/21: Scenic Drives, Hikes & 4x4
8:30-9am - Group Breakfast - Pancakes & Sausage
10:30am - Activities - Gather in Site #1
Hikes: (Leaders TBD)
Easier Access Hike Options Include:
Plum Canyon Trail- Hard (4.3 miles, 1269ft)
Lizard Canyon Trail - Moderate (2.8 miles, 498ft)
Nude Wash - Moderate (1.6 miles, 383ft)
Elephant Trees Trail - Moderate (1 mile, 72 ft)
Full Day 4x4 Run:
Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD
I have run this trail a few times and I just love it. We will start at Fish Creek in Anza Borrego and run to Sandstone Canyon. If you are in a STOCK vehicle, this is where you may want to turn around and go do some hikes, otherwise high clearance 4x4 vehicles can follow us up Diablo Drop, which is a fun sandy hill that you need to be heavy on the throttle. Once on top of Diablo Drop, we will then run to explore a couple of spots, on the following trails Arroyo Seco Del Diablo and Arroyo Tapiado where we will experience a 1000-foot-long mud cave (optional, bring lights or headlamps). After we visit the mud caves, we will jump run a couple of washes to Highway S2 and make our 50-mile drive back to camp. (I will post a full GAIA GPS map of the trail closer to the event. Make sure you have a FULL TANK OF GAS prior to leaving!)
7-7:30pm - Group Dinner - Big Sloppy Burgers & all the Fixins
Campfire + Movie Night (Movie TBD)
Sunday 10/22: Check-Out
Since we will be putting away the group kitchen and breaking down camp on Sunday morning, breakfast is on your own or grab something on your way out of camp.
10-11am - Camp Check Out
Check out our itinerary below. We have hikes, 4x4 runs, group meals, and more planned for this long weekend of adventure. The itinerary is subject to change.
California Gay Adventures* mission is to create a community of connection and adventure for our LGBTQIA+ members through social events, outdoor activities, education, and community action. We offer an inclusive safe space where community members can come together to collaborate and develop new friendships. We call this our #CGAFam!
As our customary fashion, we will plan group meals for this event with CGA supplying a group kitchen and plenty of propane for the weekend. We will send out our group meal plan and sign-up sheet for members to bring items for our meals 2-3 weeks prior to the event.
This is always a fun aspect of the trip and is completely optional.
Small to Medium Size Tents Please
Members to sign up to bring items. Details will be sent closer to the event.
Hikes are lead by volunteers. See event details
4x4 runs are lead by volunteers. See event details.
You Must Self Book Private Sites
No RV's or Trailers in Group Sites
Meals are not included. We ask everyone to contribute to meals. Details will be sent closer to the event.
3pm - Arrive at Camp & Set up Group Kitchen/Tents + Pride Decor
5pm - Welcome Gather in Site #1 - Introductions
5:30pm - Sunset Hike (Sunset is at 6:14pm)
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis(2.9 miles, 456 elevation gain)
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Brats, Brews & Campfire
You can also bring your own grub to cook - We will supply the stoves and propane as long as you clean up after yourself.
8:30am - Group Breakfast - Breakfast Burritos
10am - Activities - Gather in Site #1
Hikes: (Leaders TBD) - Slot Canyon Experience
Two Options:
Option 1: The Slot (2.3 miles, 301 ft elevation)
Option 2: West Butte, Wind Caves, Slot Loop Trail (4.5 miles, 679 ft elevation)
4x4 Run: (Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD) - Ocotillo Wells Exploration
We will start with the main group at The Slot for a hike through the slot canyon above and then jump in our vehicles and go check out Ocotillo Wells and witness the Pumpkin Patch and more. Article on the trails. High clearance 4x4 required. Radio information and more will be shared closer to the event. Passengers must request rides directly with drivers as we will not be placing people.
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Pasta & Meatballs
Campfire Fun
8:30am - Group Breakfast - Pancakes & Sausage
10am - Activities - Gather in Site #1
Hikes: (Leaders TBD)
Easier Access Hike Options Include:
Plum Canyon Trail- Hard (4.3 miles, 1269ft)
Lizard Canyon Trail - Moderate (2.8 miles, 498ft)
Nude Wash - Moderate (1.6 miles, 383ft)
Elephant Trees Trail - Moderate (1 mile, 72 ft)
4x4 Run: (Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD)
I have run this trail a few times and I just love it. We will start at Fish Creek in Anza Borrego and run to Sandstone Canyon. If you are in a STOCK vehicle, this is where you may want to turn around and go do some hikes, otherwise high clearance 4x4 vehicles can follow us up Diablo Drop, which is a fun sandy hill that you need to be heavy on the throttle. Once on top of Diablo Drop, we will then run to explore a couple of spots, on the following trails Arroyo Seco Del Diablo and Arroyo Tapiado where we will experience a 1000-foot-long mud cave (optional, bring lights or headlamps). After we visit the mud caves, we will run a couple of washes to Highway S2 and make our 50-mile drive back to camp. (I will post a full GAIA GPS map of the trail closer to the event. Make sure you have a FULL TANK OF GAS prior to leaving!)
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Big Sloppy Burgers & all the Fixins
9pm - Movie Night (Movie TBD)
Since we will be putting away the group kitchen and breaking down camp on Sunday morning, breakfast is on your own or grab something on your way out of camp.
10-11am - Camp Check Out
