CGA Camps: Anza Borrego California (Oct 2023)

      Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA

      CG
      57 reviews
      Oct 19 - 22, 2023
      Group size: 2 - 150
      CGA Camps: Anza Borrego California (Oct 2023)
      Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA

      57 reviews

      $NaN
      Oct 19 - 22, 2023
      Group size: 2 - 150

      About this trip

      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.

      Registration Is Required

      PRICING:
      $55 per person - Group Site Spot

      $20 per person - Your Own Site or Hotel

      Update 9/20: From Main Event page

      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

      Itinerary

      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. 

      Your Host: California Gay Adventures

      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!


      JoinCGA.com

      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 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.

      What’s included

      • Group Camp Spot
        Small to Medium Size Tents Please
      • Group Meals
        Members to sign up to bring items. Details will be sent closer to the event.
      • Organized Hikes
        Hikes are lead by volunteers. See event details
      • Organized 4x4 Trail Runs
        4x4 runs are lead by volunteers. See event details.
      • Private Sites
        You Must Self Book Private Sites
      • No RVs
        No RV's or Trailers in Group Sites
      • Meals
        Meals are not included. We ask everyone to contribute to meals. Details will be sent closer to the event.

      Available Packages

      Group Site #1
      Available until October 5, 2023Sold Out

      This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow. 

      $55
      Group Site #2
      Available until October 5, 2023Sold Out

      This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

      $55
      Group Site #3
      Available until October 5, 2023only 1 left

      This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

      $55
      Group Site #4
      Available until October 5, 202313 left

      This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

      $55
      Your Own Site or Hotel

      This gives you access to group activities and is a donation to the cause. Thank you.

      $20


      Itinerary

      Day 1 - Thursday
      Arrival & Check-In

       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. 

      Your Organizer


      CG
      California Gay Adventures
      57 reviews
      California Gay Adventures is a group of LGBT friends & straight allies throughout California who enjoy getting together for exciting events and adventures. We are not a tour company. We are a group of adventurers exploring and experiencing this BIG state, country, and world together... sometimes roughing it and learning from our experiences. Join us on an adventure! Thanks, Chris Kuwahara-Smith, Founder

      Reviews

      Another Fun evening of bowling with friends from CGA San Diego. Already looking forward to next time.
      By steve b for CGA-SD Socials: Big Gay Bowling Night 3 on Sep 18, 2023
      It was a memorable experience, despite the rain. The Yosemite trip was my favorite part. The camp hosts did a great job. John was friendly and communicative; Justin was chill, and Rod was a good organizer. Nice group of guys. Made quite a few new acquaintances. Had a great time.
      By Olutunde F for CGA Camps: Bass Lass (Labor Day Weekend) on Sep 06, 2023
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      This is review is for the United States Forest Service. We had a great opportunity during this camping trip to give service to an incredible government organization, the US Frest Service. Mammoth had a huge amount of snowfall this season and the campground that we planned to camp in has flooded and closed for the season. The team at the USFS offered us another campground and our group of adventurers agreed to volunteer on a couple of projects. On Friday, we organized the USFS Lee Vining bone yard (storage yard) and on Saturday we helped clear brush around the Bald Mountain fire lookout. Some of our members also cleaned up, organized and got the fire lookout apartment ready for the USFS ranger who will be on lookout duty. It was an awesome experience. We spent approx 120 man hours on these projects that would have taken a smaller crew weeks to complete. So awesome! Thank you to our members, thank you to the USFS for a great great experience and weekend.
      By for CGA Camps: Mammoth - July 2023 on Aug 08, 2023
      Great weather, good camp food, friendly group and so much to do. Tall Chris did a superb job organizing as usual. Looking forward to more camping trips with trees and a creek/river. I had a great time.
      By Olutunde F for CGA Camps: Mammoth - July 2023 on Aug 01, 2023
      FC
      What a great party. The house and pool are beautiful. Our hosts were gracious and got engaged! All snacks and beverages were provided. The party was a well oiled machine to wrangle 140 gays! CGA never disappoints!
      By FELIPE C for CGA Socials: Hollywood Hills Pool Party on Jul 26, 2023
      It was really nice to hang out with you Felipe & thank you for the positive words. Hope to see you again soon on a future adventure! :-)
      By California Gay Adventures on Jul 26, 2023
      CG
      Show More Reviews

      References

      BW
      In the fall last year I went on my first hike. It was a challenging hike. This was my first hike with GCA, and the guys were really friendly to me as a newcomer. This set the stage for me wanting to join in other CHA activities and events.
      By Barry W on 18 Feb, 2023