Cougar Canyon (Bottom Up)

April 1, 2019 tarannosaurus

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → Anza Borrego Desert → Cougar Canyon (Bottom Up)

Location: Northwest Anza Borrego Desert, California

Time Required: ~5 hours including driving time from Borrego Springs

Distance: 3.6 miles, roundtrip (from the Indian Canyon parking area); longer if your vehicle can’t make it all the way down Coyote Canyon Road

Elevation Gain/Loss: 250 feet

Red Tape/Notes: The Indian Canyon trailhead is accessed by driving to the end of Coyote Canyon Road. You can drive some of it with a 2 wheel drive, but 4 wheel drive and at least mid clearance is required for the later section of the road (beyond Boulder Alley). Closed from approximately June 1 to September 30 (to preserve watering rights of the Bighorn Sheep). Wear/bring shoes you’re willing to get wet. AllTrails provides some basic information on the hike, including a gpx track here, and San Diego Reader did an online article on the hike which includes a simple map and information on the options for completing the hike if you have to start further down Coyote Canyon Road.

What’s Nearby?: Borrego Palm Canyon, Hellhole Canyon, Galleta Meadows Sculptures, Indian Canyon, Cougar Canyon (top down), Villager Peak, Rabbit Peak, Calcite Mine & Slot Canyons

Cougar Canyon is easily accessed via the first section of the Indian Canyon trail. Follow the wide trail ~0.7 miles to a marked intersection with Cougar Canyon, and then head off up canyon, following the “trail” (of which there are likely several). Travel requires some rock/boulder hopping, and likely some water crossings. If you’re prepared to get wet, you’ll have an easier time, since the easiest path is often offered by the watercourse (although you shouldn’t need a wetsuit – we have them on in some of these pictures because we descended the top-down route). The further up canyon you go, the more you’ll be surrounded by vegetation. There are some lovely sections with waterfalls and beautifully sculpted, colorful rock which will redefine how you think of desert hikes. The Psychedelic Eye, a now-iconic graffiti piece on a large boulder, marks the end of the hike, since technical climbing (or rappelling if you’re coming from the top down) are required beyond this point. If you have technical skills, we highly recommend the Cougar Canyon top down route, which offers more numerous rappels and even better waterfalls.