Appian Way
(AKA Old Mine Trail)
Appian Way
(AKA Old Mine Trail)
In the book, "Anza Borrego Desert State Park" regarding the Coyote Canyon trail, it was stated that:
"There may be more brutal jeep traverses in that great desert, but the authors know of none"
The authors obviously don't get out much. There are MUCH harder trails just a little west of Anza-Borrego.
On this run, I again hooked up with Peter Matusov from the FSJ List, another San Diegan, and his nice '79 Chero WT.I had wanted to go on this trail the week before, but was unable to find the trailhead. Peter and I were supposed to meet up then, but we missed connections by about 5 minutes. Peter DID find the trail, however, and we went again for this trip. It was a BLAST.
Peter had scouted part of this trail the previous weekend, but stopped at a point that looked to rough to go it alone. There were plenty of obstacles along the way!
Before I get to the good stuff, I wanted to give a little rundown of the damage I incurred on this trip:
- Broken driver's side rear running light lens (meeting with tree).
- Loosened driver's side mirror (same meeting with tree).
- Shattered (at the tip) 48" fiberglass CB antenna (meeting with different low-hanging tree).
- Loosened radio antenna (meeting with various trees).
- Added to crushed front-right fenderwell (dropped onto rock).
- New scratches on front and rear bumpers (various rocks).
Was it worth it? Of course it was!! This is the best time I've had in years, and I think it can only get better. For the first couple of miles, the trail is pretty mellow. Some small hill climbs, but nothing to even suggest panic mode. Also some mellow water crossings.
Then the real trail starts...
