Cut Across Trail

Trail Overview

Cut Across Trail is an 8-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 out of 10 located mostly within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This trail is an important sand wash because it provides the major transition from the state park into the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. The trail runs from San Felipe Wash on the southwest end to Tule Wash on the northeast end. Traveling northwest up the wash roughly 3 miles will lead to the intersection of Fault Wash, the first major access into the OWSVRA. After Fault Wash, the trail connects to Palo Verde, Palo Verde East, Pack Rat, Anopheles, and Bank Washes, all of which lead southeast into the OWSVRA. The trail will continue to connect with Basin Wash before ending at Tule Wash (both are in the ABDSP). Since the majority of Cut Across trail falls within the ABDSP, it is mostly restricted to street-legal vehicles. Only the section between Palo Verde and Anopheles Wash can be driven by any OHV, as that section falls within the OWSVRA. Generally, there are state park signs posted at the boundary of the park on the major trails. All canyons and washes in the area are subject to flash floods. Travelers should watch the weather reports for the mountains to the west. There are cell towers along S22 and Highway 78, so reception may be available on sections of the trail. The nearest services are located in Borrego Springs to the northwest and Salton City to the northeast. Offroad travel within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is restricted to street-legal vehicles only. The area to the north side of the trail is part of the Anza-Borrego Wilderness Area and there is no offroad travel allowed.

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Difficulty

The trail consists of loose rocks, dirt, and sand with some slick rock surfaces and mud holes possible. No steps are higher than 12 inches. 4WD may be required, and aggressive tires are a plus.

History

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a California State Park located within the Colorado Desert of southern California, United States. The park takes its name from 18th-century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word borrego which literally means "lamb" but is also used to describe the desert bighorn sheep. With nearly 600,000 acres, it is the largest state park in California as well as the 48 contiguous states. The park has a varied topography that includes dry lake beds, badlands, and mountains that rise above 5,500 feet (1,675 meters). Two-thirds of the park's area is designated as wilderness, and cactus, yucca, and ocotillo are abundant throughout. Among the park's attractions are groves of California fan palms and a profusion of wildflowers that bloom in mid-to-late winter. Deer, kit foxes, iguanas, rattlesnakes, roadrunners, eagles, and the endangered desert bighorn sheep are all found within the park.

Technical Rating