canyonwalker and I just spent 3 days in the backcountry at Anza Borrego Desert State Park. I'm always amused at the difficulty warnings that rangers give for the backcountry, even though I know why they do it. People are stupid[1], and they really don't want to be out there having to drag injured or dead bodies back.Even more amusing: want to know how to quickly tell that a trail has become more difficult? Look around and see how many cars you see parked. First water crossing? Lots of sedans. First time the trail starts to get off-kilter? You see more cute Utes parked at the side. First major hill with lots places to get off-camber? You get all the high-clearance SUVs without actual 4wheel drive parked. You even see a lot of vehicles that have 4wheel drive parked, because the drivers don't know their limits.
That's okay - it leaves the backcountry emptier for us, which is just the way I like it.
Tomorrow? Off to Death Valley!
[1]Such as the driver who parked in the middle of the fucking trail in the Carrizo Badlands. Moron. We should have let Gambit run over his car.
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Tags: 4wheeling, anza borrego, camping, desert, hiking, outdoors