Desert Transects

The transects described on this page are located in the Anza-Borrego State Park.

Grapevine Canyon

Six people hiking in a desert landscape with rocky hills and sparse vegetation
Person crouching outdoors on sandy ground, wearing a green jacket, black hoodie, camo pants, and a black cap, in a sunny area with sparse vegetation.
A smiling man and woman stand together outdoors near a silver SUV, wearing matching 'San Diego Tracking Team' T-shirts, with desert landscape and mountains in the background.

       Leader:  Dick Chadwick
       Location: Anza-Borrego State Park
       Number: 59
       Duration: 3-4 hours
       Difficulty: Moderate
       Why: To offer a counter-argument to the construction of the Sunrise Power Link through the canyon in 2010. The transect is within the Angelina Springs Cultural Preserve (Kevin Smith is a site steward)
       What: Cougar, mule deer, gray fox, kangaroo rats, jack rabbits, and more.

Photos by Evelyn Ono Vineberg, clockwise from photo at right:
   - A motley crew on 2 December 2017
   - Cougar Track, 2 December 2017
   - ABTT Trackers in SDTT shirts, 13 May 2021
   - Owl Track, 13 May 2021
   - Terry on fox-scat rock, 11 May 2022

Person kneeling on sandy ground using a metal detector, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a blue backpack.
Close-up of sandy ground with small rocks and a yellow measuring tape at the bottom.

The Narrows

Group of people outdoors in a rocky, mountainous area, some taking notes and wearing hats and backpacks.
Person examining a fossil or rock imprint in sandy ground, taking notes in a notebook, with others nearby.

       Leader:  Dick Chadwick
       Location: Anza-Borrego State Park
       Number: 60
       Duration: 4 hours
       Difficulty: Easy
       Why: This is a low-elevation corridor from the high to the low desert. It is also a min corridor for Bighorn Sheep moving north and south.
       What: A cougar was photographed on a camera trap; we observed tracks of  Bighorn ewes with lambs. Sheep are occasionally spotted on nearby ridges. Bobcat, jack rabbit, kangaroo rat, and coyote track and sign are regularly seen on this transect.

Photo by Evelyn: 24 November 2019
Photos by Evelyn, evidence of Big-Horn Sheep and
the iconic YWB (yellow water bottle): 11 May 2022

Group of people, on a desert hike, gathered around a small animal, possibly a young coyote, lying on the ground. They are dressed in outdoor gear, with hiking sticks and backpacks, in a rocky, arid landscape with mountains in the background.

Barrel Springs

Three people walking in a sandy desert with footprints and sparse desert bushes.
Six people walking across a desert landscape with mountains in the background, dressed in outdoor hiking attire including hats and backpacks.

       Leader:  Beth Shugan
       Location:  Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (adjacent to Anza-Borrego State Park) with heavy off-road traffic
       Number: 61
       Duration: 3 hours
       Difficulty: Easy; except we have to climb a fence twice. This transect is a square.
       Why: The environmental scientist requested the transects to confirm the images caught on their summer camera photos. Originally, there was a coyote-dug water hole in the center of the transect square, but it has moved over the years. This transect is about 2/3rds within a fenced area.
       What: We frequently see sign of kangaroo rats, coyote, kit fox, bobcat, black-tailed jackrabbits, and occasionally, roadrunners and gray fox. On occasion we have seen burrowing owl tracks. In the past we were able to confirm for the park that Botta pocket gophers exist in the park, and we also saw ringtail tracks once.


Photos by Evelyn Ono Vineberg

Tule / Eriogonum

Group of people hiking through a desert landscape with rocky terrain and cliffs.
Four people hiking in a desert landscape with rocky formations and sparse vegetation, wearing backpacks and hats.

       Leader:  Beth Shugan
       Location: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (adjacent to Anza-Borrego State Park) with heavy off-road traffic
       Number: 66
       Duration: 3 hours
       Difficulty: Easy. This transect is in a V shape.
       Why: The environmental scientist requested the transects to confirm the images caught on their summer camera photos at the year-round water sources, and also to help monitor the impact of off-road vehicles. There are two fenced year-round water sources; one on each of the washes - Tule Wash and Eriogonum Wash.
       What: Coyote, bobcat, black-tailed jackrabbit, kangaroo rats, gray fox, kit fox, and occasionally, burrowing owls and Botta pocket gopher

Photo at right by Evelyn Ono Vineberg. August 2017

Photos below by Evelyn, December 2021

Coyote Canyon

Group of five hikers in desert landscape with rocky hills, some wearing hats and outdoor gear, standing on sandy trail.
A dry desert landscape with scattered rocks, low bushes, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky.

       Leader:  Kevin and Eileen
       Location: Anza-Borrego State Park
       Number: 70
       Duration: 3 hours
       Difficulty: Easy
       Why: To monitor Coyote Creek, the longest flowing stream in San Diego County. Heavily used rec area.
       What: Heavy use by kangaroo rats; also used by coyote, gray fox, bobcat, racoon, jackrabbit, and more. The stream channel changes dramatically with flash floods.

Photos by Eileen Napoleon

Two people in a desert landscape, one standing and the other kneeling or crouching, near shrubs and dirt trail with mountains in the background.