YAQUITEPEC TRIP DESCRIPTION

Yaquitepec is located on top of Ghost Mountain in Blair Valley within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and is accessible to anyone who can do a moderate hike of two miles round-trip, up and down a steep trail. The trailhead is 2.7 miles from Hwy S-2 on a dirt road that is usually fine for conventional cars. The road is signed and there is a vault toilet at the entrance to Blair Valley. The entrance to Blair Valley is located 5.7 miles south of the junction of Hwy 78 and S-2 and 41.9 miles north of the small community of Ocotillo at Interstate 8 on Hwy S-2. See Maps under "Visiting Yaquitepec."

The drive time from San Diego is approximately two hours via either the mountain community of Julian or Ocotillo. Plan on about a three-hour drive from the Los Angeles/Orange County area via Hwy 79 and S-2.

Be sure and take a small knapsack with you on the hike with water, sunscreen, and snacks. A walking stick will provide support on the steep sections of the trail.

The trail is visible from Google Earth with waypoints at the trailhead and at Yaquitepec.

Mile Posts 22 and 27 on State Hwy S-2.

South of Mile Post 22 is the entrance to Blair Valley. South of Mile Post 27 is the entrance to Rainbow Canyon which can be hiked into Blair Valley. See Lindsay’s Anza- Borrego Desert Region Guide for details about this hike and for the map in the pocket of this guidebook. The map is also available separately. See the Shopping Cart Book Selection.