Hornblende Canyon - Anza Borrego

As Jerry Schad's Roam-O-Rama column in the San Diego Reader offers “Explore a relatively unknown canyon”, in the description of Hornblende Canyon.  The canyon is named for the common hornblende crystals found here.

We've driven on S-2 south of Scissors Crossing past this canyon a few dozen times, the canyon is unmarked and we have never stopped at this gem.  The trailhead is south of Box Canyon Monument on the west side of S-2, but the small parking area is on the east side of the road.

As with my previous post on Rainbow Canyon there are dry waterfalls to scale.  But only two challenging ones this time and a dozen, or so, lesser to scrambler over.

Our destination is Kumeyaay site at the second large dry waterfall. Making this a 4.2 mi R/T hike from the trailhead.

The trail follows a sandy dry wash on the canyon floor.

We got a fairly early start with lots of cool shade as we begin.

At least until the sun climbs above the canyon rim

The trail quickly climbs through series of small dry falls,  

as it passes below the marbled colored walls of the canyon, looks like someone has called this spot home.

and about a mile from the trailhead we come to the first of larger dry falls.  This one has a trail leading around it on the south side of the wash, perfect for the geriatric hikers not wanting to exert themselves. 

Not far above this fall is a Kumeyaay village site, with moteros, shelters and storage.

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Another mile contains many more scrambles over the small dry falls.  Fran makes quick work of them.

Two miles from the trailhead we arrive at the second dry waterfall.  At the top of this fall is another Kumeyaay village site.  There is a cool breeze coming up the canyon and enough moisture here for grass to be growing.  No surprise the Kumeyaay called this spot 'home'.

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We’ll return to the Jeep from here, although the canyon continues another 4 miles as it follows along the side of Granite Mountain.

About the mid-point between the 1st and 2nd dry falls is an abandoned mine to the south of the wash.  I read there are bats in the mine ... we did not try to confirm that claim.

Although vegetation is not as dense as it was in Rainbow Canyon, there is a lot more variety, as Hornblende Canyon has a greater elevation change.

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We spent another peaceful night in Blair Valley with only the stars for company.