2. So Cal Explorations (Day Tripping From San Diego)

Military Wash - Feb 2009

This small group trip had a specific purpose in mind, to explore an area of Anza Borrego Desert State Park known as Military Wash. Located alongside the Octotillo Wells OHV area, this wash was used as a training area by troops in WWII. I noted a passing reference in a guidebook to a half-buried tank somewhere in the wash, and talked Marty and Fred into joining me in a search. If the tank is there (and the rangers and docents have told me that they don't think it's there anymore) we couldn't find it. We did find lots of other interesting artifacts though (which were left behind). We also explored Rainbow Wash almost to the base of Font's Point, and Borrego Mountain Road and the Butte's Pass area.
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  • We made our usual stop at the Julian Pie Company to pick up some apple pie to go with lunch.

    We made our usual stop at the Julian Pie Company to pick up some apple pie to go with lunch.

  • We started off traveling south through Ella Wash from S-22, near Arroyo Salado campground.

    We started off traveling south through Ella Wash from S-22, near Arroyo Salado campground.

  • At the end of Ella Wash we turned west in Short Wash for a bit, then south in Fault Wash until we hit Cut Across Wash. There are some interesting sandstone formations in Fault Wash.

    At the end of Ella Wash we turned west in Short Wash for a bit, then south in Fault Wash until we hit Cut Across Wash. There are some interesting sandstone formations in Fault Wash.

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  • We followed Cut Across Wash for a short distance west to the north end of Military Wash, where we turned south again.

    We followed Cut Across Wash for a short distance west to the north end of Military Wash, where we turned south again.

  • Military Wash is very open and exposed, unlike many of the other washes. In the middle of it is one very prominent outcropping.

    Military Wash is very open and exposed, unlike many of the other washes. In the middle of it is one very prominent outcropping.

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  • This looks to be a 20mm projectile.

    This looks to be a 20mm projectile.

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  • Fred's XOC t-shirt.

    Fred's XOC t-shirt.

  • More projectiles found on the ground in Military Wash.

    More projectiles found on the ground in Military Wash.

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  • This one appears to have been hit by another round.

    This one appears to have been hit by another round.

  • This .50 cal bullet looks to have been hit by another, and bent at a 90-degree angle. We also found a live .50 cal round out there, probably over 60 years old by now, it looked like it might still work.

    This .50 cal bullet looks to have been hit by another, and bent at a 90-degree angle. We also found a live .50 cal round out there, probably over 60 years old by now, it looked like it might still work.

  • The remains of one of two old "rake stations" built by the Army sometime in WWII.

    The remains of one of two old "rake stations" built by the Army sometime in WWII.

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  • Our lunch spot, like the rest of Military Wash, open and exposed.

    Our lunch spot, like the rest of Military Wash, open and exposed.

  • From the south end of Military Wash we turned northwest in San Felipe Wash, then south again in Borrego Mountain Wash until we got to the one-way (the other way) Drop-Off, where we turned around.

    From the south end of Military Wash we turned northwest in San Felipe Wash, then south again in Borrego Mountain Wash until we got to the one-way (the other way) Drop-Off, where we turned around.

  • Lots of interesting rock formations in Borrego Mountain Wash.

    Lots of interesting rock formations in Borrego Mountain Wash.

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  • Borrego Mountain Wash.

    Borrego Mountain Wash.

  • Coming back down the rock water fall at close the end of Borrego Mountain Wash.

    Coming back down the rock water fall at close the end of Borrego Mountain Wash.

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    Lots of interesting rock formations in Borrego Mountain Wash.
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    Borrego Mountain Wash.