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Mortero Palms - Anza Borrego
Ocotillo,
California
(Imperial County)
Last Updated:
03/22/2023
Trail Information
Highlights
In the lower part of Anza Borrego desert is a small area with an abundant amount of natural springs and a heavy population of palms. Mortero Palms is a popular hiking trail known for the amazing views and springs, but it also is the closest point to the famous Goat Canyon Train Bridge. The trail to the bridge is said to be a goat trail and only for the more experienced hikers.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Trail Reviews
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Rated
5/5
Visited: 07/20/2018
I've been along this route nearly 10 times and my sole reason for heading this way is to hike up the mountain, past Mortero Palms, to the Goat Canyon Trestle along the Carrizo Gorge railway. As the original reviewer mentioned, this is a very strenuous hike with a very scanty trail, so this should not be attempted without advance planning, and only during the coolest 7 months of the year. It is only 5 miles round trip, yet is so strenuous that, at best, you will do 1 mile/hr and it will be an all-day trip including exploring. Note that you will be bouldering and clambering more often than just hiking.
That said, a trip just to Mortero Palms is worth the investment of a couple hours. The palms grow straight up in a steep canyon and are wonderful to explore. The dead fronds cover the canyon floor to a depth of, it seems, at least 5-10 feet. Very cool. And the canyon walls themselves are worth exploring, too. I've enclosed a few of pictures of the palm grove itself and some of the surrounding mountain vistas, including the railroad trestle.
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