Anza-Borrego

WILDFLOWER WATCHING: TIPS FROM ANZA BORREGO FOUNDATION

East County News Service

March 17, 2023 (Borrego Springs) -- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is beginning to have pockets of blooming wildflowers as well as cacti blooms. The Anza Borrego Foundation offers these tips for those planning to come view wildflowers:

  1. Check the weather forecast before heading to the Park. Make sure to dress in layers and pack plenty of water.
  2. Call the Wildflower Hotline at 760-767-4684 for weekly updates on the best viewing locations.
  3. Print the most recent wildflower map at home. You can click here to find printable wildflower maps.
  4. You can also get printed wildflower maps and viewing tips at the State Park store at 587 Palm Canyon Drive between 11 .am. and 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
  5. Check road conditions, including the surrounding mountains for any road closures or chain requirements.
  6. Make sure to visit our State Park store, open daily 9 AM - 5 PM for any needed information or to purchase Park maps.

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MARINES MAKE FIRST-EVER WATER DROPS IN ANZA-BORREGO DESERT TO SAVE BIGHORN SHEEP DURING DROUGHT

By Miriam Raftery

October 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – The drought has dried up watering holes and vegetation that the Anza Borrego Desert’s iconic bighorn sheep rely upon.  Scott Gibson with the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep told ECM, “Endangered bighorn sheep mortality due to dehydration has been documented recently."

Fortunately, the U.S. Marines came to the rescue – with help from several nonprofit organizations and state agencies. In September, a Marine Corps helicopter crew made the first-ever helicopter water delivery to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Click here view a video by David Owen Hawxhurst, www.hawxhurtst.com and scroll down for details.


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VIDEOS OF THE WEEK: BORREGO BIGHORNS

March 21, 2019 (Anza-Borrego) -- Our editor, Miriam Raftery, took these two videos of Bighorn sheep along Montezuma Valley Road, the steep grade into Anza-Borrego Desert State park.  If you're heading to Borrego, which means "Bighorn," keep a sharp eye out for these desert denizens along rocky slopes.

 

 

 


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: EAST COUNTY CHILLS OUT





 

East County News Service

January 3, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A New Year’s eve storm dropped temperatures to below freezing across most of East County, bringing snow and ice even to some low elevation areas.  Area residents took to social media with their icy images.

Anza Borrego Desert Research Center posted an image (left) of snow blanketing the ground around the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s landmark sign  The group reported snow flurries down to 2300 feet, with snow sticking above the 2500 foot elevation in the normally arid terrain.


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WITNESS SAYS HE SAW MICKEY GUIDRY THE DAY TEEN VANISHED IN THE ANZA-BORREGO DESERT BACK IN 2009

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 28, 2016 (Anza-Borrego Desert) – A reader of East County Magazine has come forward to say that he saw Mickey James Guidry , then 16, at the site where the Jeep driven by the teen broke down in the Anza-Borrego Desert over Thanksgiving weekend back in November 2009—just before Mickey went missing  The witness says he saw Mickey speaking with a couple who offered him a ride, and showed him a map with possible routes Mickey may have later taken on foot.   

The Jeep Mickey was driving was found 22-miles along Fish Creek Wash, its tire worn down to the rim and bumper torn off. Mickey’s wallet and ID were left in the Jeep. His cell phone was not working.  To this day, nobody knows if he managed to walk out or get a ride and go away voluntarily.


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50TH ANNIVERSARY BORREGO DAYS DESERT FESTIVAL: “THOSE WERE THE DAYS” OCT. 23-25

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 19, 2015 (Borrego Springs) -- The Borrego Days Desert Festival has a long history of launching the peak season for Southern California’s desert region—welcoming snowbirds and enticing locals to join together after a long summer for a weekend of celebration.

 This year, the festival marks its 50th anniversary with a theme of “Those Were the Days” Oct. 23-25, aiming to create new memories for young and old alike. Live entertainment on the main stage, artists, a children’s fun zone, outdoor shopping, gourmet food trucks, beer and beverage garden, vendors, as well as a Saturday parade featuring flyover, equestrians, marching bands, floats, clowns, dancers, classic cars and more are all planned.


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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SAVE DESERT WILDFLOWERS FROM INVASIVE WEEDS

 

By Miriam Raftery

June 24, 2014 (Borrego Springs)--Where have all the flowers gone?

Anza-Borrego has long been famous for its spectacular spring wildflower blooms.  But now the region’s biodiversity is threatened by an invasive weed—the Sahara mustard.


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SUIT FILED TO HALT OCOTILLO WIND AS COALITION HOLDS PROTESTS IN SAN DIEGO AND EL CENTRO

 

“This is nothing more than a public land grab for private profit. The BLM is literally giving this away to corporations…This may be out in the desert today, but tomorrow it could be in your backyard…Already over a dozen projects are proposed in San Diego and Imperial County.” – Robert Scheid, Viejas media relations

May 16, 2012 (La Jolla) – At a press conference yesterday outside the gleaming corporate towers occupied by Pattern Energy in La Jolla, a coalition of environmental groups, Native American tribes and outraged citizens urged President Barack Obama to stop fast-tracking of massive energy projects on public lands and halt construction at the Ocotillo Express wind facility immediately.

Heavy equipment has begun grading the site, ripping massive ocotillo cacti out by the roots, burying burrowing owl nesting sites and breaking hearts of the many people who love this  desert land.

ECM contacted the White House to request an interview with President Obama. No response has been received.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 
May 9, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:   
 
 
 
 
  
LOCAL 
  • Nathan Fletcher replaced on committee deciding tax bill (Sacramento Bee)
  • Body found in Anza-Borrego desert believed to be missing UCSD student (Santee Patch)
  • Special meeting on Ramona solar farm project May 24 (Ramona Patch)
  • Planning group votes unanimously against solar project on Warnock Drive (Ramona Patch)
  • Local human rights advocate’s credibility questioned (10 News)
  • Parents, teachers speak out against Sweetwater Board (10 News)
  • Man guilty of trying to blow up wife with pipe bomb (UT San Diego)
STATE
  • Settlement may bring electric vehicle infrastructure to state (Los Angeles Times)
  • Tobacco firms chip in another $15 million against Prop 29 (Sacramento Bee)
  • California’s fourth year of teacher layoffs spur concern (Sacramento Bee)
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

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ANZA-BORREGO FOUNDATION AND PACIFIC CREST TRAIL ASSOCIATION PRESERVE OPEN SPACE

 
March 20, 2012 (Anza-Borrego) -- Pacific Crest Trails Association and Anza-Borrego Foundation are pleased to announce the purchase of 40 acres within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
 
The once privately-held parcel located next to the Pacific Crest Trail will be preserved as open space and set aside for public use.  PCTA helped pay a portion of the purchase price and Anza-Borrego Foundation will hold the land in trust for the state park. It’s the first partnership between the two nonprofit conservation groups.

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ANZA BORREGO SCULPTOR’S ARTISTIC JOURNEY RECOUNTED IN RICARDO BRECEDA: ACCIDENTAL ARTIST

Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist, By Diana Lindsay (Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, California, 2012, 240 pages.)
 
Book Review by Dennis Moore
 
“For weeks, for months, I’d been hearing about this crazy-loco artist who does huge life-size metal sculptures of elephants, giraffes, and dinosaurs. Well, the moment we drove up to Ricardo’s compound off of the 215, I’d, too, begun grinning – I just couldn’t help it, I mean, it’s every kid’s dream to travel back in time and come face to face with gigantic mammoths and huge sloths. And all these metal sculptures looked so real and menacing. Then here came Ricardo himself to greet us. He, too, was all smiles and full of happy crazyloco energy.” – Foreword by Victor E. Villasenor

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STARGAZING, POTTERY AND ANIMAL TRACKING CLASSES AMONG FALL OFFERINGS IN ANZA BORREGO

 

 

October 6, 2011 (Borrego) –If you plan to enjoy Anza-Borrego this fall, why not make your visit a learning adventure?  Deepen your connection to nature, strengthen your understanding of the environment, and of course, have fun.  The Anza-Borrego Foundation announces a variety of fall classes and tours in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  For the full list, visit their website at http://theabf.org/events and scroll down for highlights.

 


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INJURED HIKER RESCUED IN BORREGO

 

April 9, 2011 (Borrego) – A female hiker, 61, was airlifted out of Palm Canyon in the Anza Borrego Desert this afternoon after suffering a possible fractured hip, Deputy Scott Bligh with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue reports.

 

Copter 12, crewed by San Diego Sheriff’s and Cal-Fire personnel, were dispatched to assist Borrego Fire personnel.


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HIKER, LOST AND DEHYDRATED, RESCUED IN ANZA-BORREGO DESERT

April 4, 2011 (Borrego) – San Diego Sheriff’s communication center received a call on Thursday from a woman in Mammoth Lakes whose husband and a friend were hiking off Rockhouse Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The two hikers called the woman from a satellite phone because the husband’s friend had become severely dehydrated, incoherent, and in immediate need of medical attention.


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DESERT IN BLOOM: ACTIVITES FLOWER IN ANZA BORREGO WITH TOURS & MORE STARTING THIS WEEKEND

March 9, 2011 (Anza-Borrego) -- The rains have come and gone, leaving fresh air and sunshine to blanket the majesty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Anza-Borrego Desert Park Foundation invites you to spring into action with activities to fulfill your sense of wonder and appreciation for the park.

 


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HEADS UP! PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE JUNE 26

 

 

By East County News Service

 

June 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – In the early morning hours on Saturday, June 26, sky watchers in our region can see a partial eclipse of the moon, which is visible across much of North America, South America and Asia. 

 


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SPRINGTIME IN EAST COUNTY

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2010 - Yes, you can still see wildflowers in bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Thanks to readers Jerry and Marlene Fisher for sending us shots taken this week of the desert floor in bloom--and a flowering ocotillo.

We also spotted a profusion of spring blooms at Summers Past Farm, which hosted its annual Sweet Pea Festival last weekend. Local residents Cindy and Juliana Houser, Laura Butcher, and Bonnie Henselmeier snipped fragrant sweat peas shown in the photo at right.  The crowd quickly grew so large that cutting was stopped for the day, but not to worry--more sweat peas will be available to the public this weekend. 


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EXPERIENCE LIFE ON THE 1860s FRONTIER AT VALLECITO DAYS MARCH 5-7

 

March 3, 2010 (Vallecito) – Vallecito Stage Station once served as a rest stop for weary travelers along the Southern Overland Trail on the Butterfield Stage Coach. On March 5, 6 and 7, history will come alive as the 1850s camp in the Anza-Borrego desert welcomes visitors to tour the original adobe Vallecito Stage Station and participate in frontier-style activities.

 


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EXPLORE 7 MILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

 

Author of New Book on Anza-Borrego Desert’s Fossil Treasures Featured at Aug. 15 Event


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