Aiming to arrive at the gate opening for the parking lot at the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center meant an early start from San Diego. As a reward, Ted caught some fantastic shots of the sunrise as we made our way down toward the desert floor. Although the ranger was 15 minutes late opening the gate, Rick and Andrea had been delayed by an accident on the 76, so it did not matter.
We paid our day-use fees and used the facilities before heading across the desert floor to ascend the ridge that would take us over Ode Benchmark and then onto Kay Benchmark. I had done this climb back in April, so I led the way.
We worked our way up the ridge to Ode Benchmark, our first milestone. There we signed the register, snapped some photos, and had a quick snack. Andrea was feeling the effects of poor sleep and was struggling a bit, but we decided to keep pushing on up the ridge.
We descended a bit from Ode Benchmark, then climbed over a minor bump. I commented that instead of climbing back over these on our return, we should hop off the ridge and follow the wash back to the start. It was there we encountered a trail runner out getting a few miles in before returning to the nearby campground to make breakfast for his family. We parted ways and kept slogging up the steep slope. After ascending a steeper section, I waited for the three of them to join me. It was clear that Andrea wasn’t going to have the energy to continue this climb. Rick and Ted pushed on, and I headed to Andrea to escort her safely back down. While she was disappointed, she agreed that this was the smartest choice. When we reached the spot where I had left the ridge the last time, we opted to stay on the ridge and make the two small climbs. Before too long, we were off the ridge and back at our cars. Since everyone had cell service, we texted our status to Rick and Ted. While the climb up Kay Benchmark might have been too much, Andrea was up for an alternative hike while we waited. So, we made the short drive to hike out to Hans Benchmark.
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.