While Rick and Ted continued their ascent toward Kay Benchmark, Andrea and I opted to make the short hike over to Hans Benchmark. This minor peak is on the Borrego Benchmark Club list and had been on my radar for some time, but I had never found the time to hike it. This was the perfect opportunity to cross it off my list. We parked at a small turnout and headed east. I had a few saved tracks to this summit, so I used them as a guide. We worked our way eastward until the summit came into view. We found a register and the benchmark without issue.
Retracing our route, we soon found ourselves back at the car. We picked up some trash along the way and disposed of it properly. We then headed back to the Borrego Visitor Center to continue waiting for Rick and Ted to return. The jaunt out to Hans was 1.23 miles, and took 59:13, and had 143 feet of gain.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. I am the co-author of Urban Trails: San Diego, coming in Spring 2026!
In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer).
I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.