Definitive
 Destination:

       Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

A view of Box Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. June 15, 1994

The Lure of the Low Desert

The "off season" for butterflying in southern California lasts only from November through January. Kindred souls from more northerly parts of the continent may wonder at the fact that by February I already feel myself going into "butterfly withdrawal" -- but it happens every year! As elsewhere, the "on season" begins for us at the southern end of our area and at the lowest elevations, so that it is to the low desert -- the Colorado Desert of San Diego County -- that I turn each spring for that badly needed butterfly fix.

The Land and its People
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest park in the extensive California State Park system -- covering almost 1000 square miles. It is also the premier public land holding in the Colorado Desert region.

   The northeast corner of the park reaches almost to the Salton Sea, a lake created in 1905-1907 when flood waters of the Colorado River breached the intake of a canal built to provide irrigation for agriculture in the Imperial Valley. This sea lies within a portion of the area once occupied by prehistoric Lake LeConte, which is thought to have been filled with fresh water from the Colorado River at least twice, most recently flooding about 1000 AD and evaporating dry again about 1500 AD The area may also have been flooded from the Gulf of California, creating a salt lake, between floodings with fresh water. (No doubt the most recent flooding explains why the formerly popular local greeting, "long time no sea," hasn't been heard much since 1905, and why a dry sense of humor is generally considered inappropriate in southern California.)

   The northwest corner of the park extends into southern Riverside County, while a bit farther south the western edge of the park climbs the precipitous eastern flank of the Laguna Mountains range, reaching the crest at such points as Garnet Mountain (elevation 5665 ft.). The southern end of the park extends to within about 3 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, for example near Jacumba.

   The human history of the area is an engaging story, but one we can touch on only briefly here. Native American occupation probably extended back several thousand years. The climate was apparently milder and water more abundant in the area during this early period. More recently, the area was occupied by Yuman-speaking Native Americans (who are now known as the Kumeyaay) while the northern edge was occupied by Shoshonean-speaking Native Americans (now known as Cahuillas).

What a wonderful way to begin your butterflying year watching Sonoran Blues on the low desert! March 18, 1996, Plum Canyon

   Although the Kumeyaay have been described as seed gatherers, scientists have documented what appears to have been a complex system for managing vegetation communities, including irrigation, manipulation of water tables, erosion control, sowing and harvesting of a native grain and other seeds, and prescribed burning. Plants that were important to their way of life were actively managed, and the list of important plants included beans of the mesquite (hostplant for Ceraunus Blue, Reakirt's Blue, Leda Ministreak, and Palmer's Metalmark), and yucca and agave (hostplants for giant-skippers).

   During the hotter summer months, these early Californians migrated to the higher elevations of the mountain ranges to the west, where acorns were a staple (oaks are the caterpillar foodplants for Boisduval's Hairstreak, California Hairstreak, California Sister, Mournful Duskywing, Propertius Duskywing, and Sleepy Duskywing). Oak and pine woodlands were managed for the harvest of acorns and pine nuts. This management included burning to control understory and mistletoe buildup. (Mistletoes, of course, are hostplants for caterpillars of Great Purple and Thicket hairstreaks.) Montane meadows were managed for a variety of purposes, probably including growing of native grain, and burning to harvest grasshoppers, for concentration of deer, etc.

An 'Edwards' Indra Swallowtail basks on a sunlit rock just below the summit of Garnet Peak. May 3, 1994

   As I travel through the area I can't help but wonder how the plant communities have changed through changing management approaches, and how this has affected local populations of the native butterflies.

   The first people of European descent to enter the Anza-Borrego Desert were apparently a party of deserters from the San Diego Presidio, followed shortly thereafter by the troops of Lieutenant Pedro Fages who attempted to capture them. That was in 1772. Two years later, Juan Bautista de Anza entered the area seeking, and finding, an inland route from Sonora to Monterey on the Pacific coast. A year and a half later, Anza led a party of about 240 settlers over a similar route to establish the Spanish settlement at San Francisco. Although other groups followed Anza, traffic dwindled during the War for Mexican Independence.

A view of Garnet Peak and the trail to the top. June 1992

   During the nineteenth century, The Southern Immigrant Trail and a bit later the Butterfield Overland Mail route passed through the Anza-Borrego Desert, a little south of Anza's route. Pioneers, cattlemen, and prospectors used this route. Although they probably viewed the desert as a place to pass through as quickly as possible, their passage heralded the displacement of Native Americans as land managers in the area. Thus, for example, by 1880 the native grain that had served as a food staple for the Kumeyaays passed into extinction.

   The low desert (some of it below sea level) receives winter rain from the Pacific Ocean to the west and summer rain from the Gulf of California to the south. The average annual rainfall in this area is only about five inches, and varies considerably in timing and amount from year to year. Summer rains are especially variable, and often localized when they occur. Many desert-adapted butterflies are apparently able to survive several years in the pupal stage, waiting for periods of favorable rainfall. Thus the abundance of low desert butterflies in the summer and fall is especially variable. Spring is the preferred season for butterflying in this part of our area, although a few low desert species are found only later in the year. Windy days are a common spring phenomenon. Although it has been said that the air tends to be calm in the morning, I have found that there is often a stretch of several windy days in a row with few calm periods favorable to butterflying -- there seems to be no sure way to avoid such weather.

   Given the great size of the park, it is neither surprising that it encompasses a variety of habitat types nor that it contains many areas that are difficult to reach, and thus poorly explored for butterflies. The Colorado Desert, considered a northern province of the Sonoran Desert (which extends southward and eastward into Mexico and Arizona), is the dominant biotic zone of the park in terms of area. Although there are a few plants endemic to the Colorado Desert, none of the butterflies on our list are strictly endemic to this desert area. California Giant-Skipper, 'Henne's' Variable Checkerspot, the Tiny Checkerspot, and the Small Blue have their U.S. strongholds here, but the range of these species extends into Baja California Norte (also to the north and west for the Small Blue and to the east for the Tiny Checkerspot). Other butterflies on our list, such as the Giant Swallowtail, Mexican Yellow, Leda Ministreak, Palmer's Metalmark, Variegated Fritillary, Bordered Patch, Queen, and Arizona Powdered-Skipper are at the western limits of their resident ranges, and may be more common in Arizona. Yet other species, including 'Wright's' Black Swallowtail, Becker's White, Spring White, 'Bernardino' Square-Spotted Blue (you don't have to be square to spot one), 'Mojave' Dotted Blue, California Patch, 'Neumogen's' Sagebrush Checkerspot, Mojave Sootywing and Yucca Giant-Skipper extend their ranges into the Mojave Desert as well. There are also a few species, including Sonoran Blue, Sleepy Orange, Silvery Blue and Small Checkered-Skipper, which have additional populations nearer the coast. Thus the attraction of the desert butterfly fauna of the park lies in its diversity, resulting from a conjunction of species typical of other biotic provinces, rather than in its endemicity.

Worth the trip, Sara Orangetips are common. Borrego Palm Canyon is a good place to see them. March 20, 1996, Yaqui Well

Desert Localities within the Park
Borrego Palm Canyon. The trailhead for this canyon is in the parking area near the campground of the same name, about 2.8 miles WNW of Christmas Circle, which is in the center of Borrego Springs. The trail rises gradually as it climbs the alluvial deposits in the mouth of the canyon. The first grove of palms is reached about 1.5 miles from the trailhead; there is a small but beautiful waterfall just below this stand. Butterflies to be seen here in the spring include Western Tiger Swallowtail, Sara Orangetip (common), Dainty Sulphur, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Bramble Hairstreak, Silvery Blue, Tiny Checkerspot (abundant), California Patch, and Funereal Duskywing. Watch for Tiny Checkerspots flying around chuperosa (Belperone californica), the caterpillar foodplant, and for a variety of butterflies nectaring at desert lavender (Hyptis emoryi).

Clark Dry Lake and Rockhouse Canyon. To get to this area turn north off county road S22 about 6.5 road miles NE of Christmas Circle (Borrego Springs); the (usually dry) lake is passed on the way to the canyon, the mouth of which is about 6 miles from S22. A Spring visit to this area on a windy day resulted in sightings of Eufala Skipper and Mojave Sootywing. A fall visit yielded Mojave Sootywings and Western Pygmy-Blues (flying around their caterpillar foodplant, hoary saltbush, Atriplex canescens). Butterflies may be observed visiting sand-verbena (Ambronia villosa) and other nectar sources.

Becker's Whites sport a rich green pattern below. March 20, 1996, Yaqui Well

Yaqui Well. To reach this area, head west on highway 78 from Scissors Crossing, and turn left onto county road S3 after about 6.7 miles. The turnoff to Yaqui Well will be on the left, just about a tenth of a mile farther. Continue down this dirt road about another two tenths of a mile to the Yaqui Well parking area. Common spring butterflies here include Becker's White, Acmon Blue, and Silvery Blue. In the fall, California Giant-Skippers can sometimes be seen at the   damp sand around the small pool of water.

Plum Canyon. The jeep trail to the mouth of this canyon takes off to the south from highway 78 about 1.4 miles east of the bridge over San Felipe Creek which is at the east end of Sentenac Canyon. I always feel that I am on a movie set when I walk this canyon it is almost too perfect. The gradually ascending sandy bottom invites barefoot travel, although the unshod traveler must beware of the stray bit of cholla. Rock hills rise on either side confining butterflies which patrol the canyon bottom. On a day in spring one may see such butterflies as 'Wright's' Black Swallowtail, Sara Orangetip, Becker's White, Dainty Sulphur, Sleepy Orange, Cloudless Sulphur, Southern Dogface, Leda Ministreak, 'Loki' Juniper Hairstreak, Bramble Hairstreak (common), Silvery Blue (common), Sonoran Blue, Wright's Metalmark, California Patch (common), Orange Skipperling, and Funereal Duskywing. Many butterflies nectar at desert lavender. Also, watch for Sonoran Blues in areas where their hostplant (Dudleya saxosa) occurs; a careful inspection of these plants may be rewarded by the discovery of the butterfly's eggs, which look like tiny sea urchin shells. Adults may also be seen nectaring at rattlesnake spurge (Chamaesyce albomarginata) or at desert sand mat (C. polycarpa).

Gray Marbles are really orangetips without the orange tips! March 25, 1978, Banner Grade (posed photo)

Bridge over San Felipe Creek (east end of Sentenac Canyon). This spot is about 3 miles east of Scissors Crossing, on highway 78. Butterflies seen here in the fall include Black Swallowtail, Sleepy Orange, Becker's White, Western Pygmy-Blue, Marine Blue, 'Dammer's' Dotted Blue, Wright's Metalmark, California Patch, Queen, Mojave Sootywing, and California Giant-Skipper.

Sentenac Canyon (including unnamed side canyons). Just east of Scissors Crossing, highway 78 threads a narrow passage sandwiched between Grapevine Mountain on the north and San Felipe Creek on the south. Small, unnamed canyons to the north of the road have long been favorite sites for collectors, as they have been just outside the park boundaries. These areas may soon be included in the park, due to new land acquisitions in progress. Spring butterflies to be seen here include Becker's White, Sleepy Orange, Dainty Sulphur, Variable Checkerspot, California Patch, Wright's Metalmark, Silvery Blue, Ceraunus Blue, Acmon Blue, Bramble Hairstreak, and Arizona Powdered-Skipper. Fall butterflies seen here include Becker's White, 'Loki' Juniper Hairstreak, Leda Ministreak, Ceraunus Blue, Wright's Metalmark, Palmer's Metalmark, Northern White-Skipper, Mojave Sootywing and California Giant-Skipper. In the small side canyons, butterflies especially are attracted to the small lavender, trumpet-shaped blossoms of Anderson's box thorn (Lycium andersonii) when it blooms after rains, as well as to the flowers of rush sweetbush (Bebbia juncea), the hostplant of Wright's Metalmark.

One of the real specialties of Anza-Borrego is California Giant-Skipper. Although they do also occur elsewhere, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of the easiest places to see them. Oct 9, 1997, Blair Valley

Scissors Crossing. The San Felipe Creek bed at Scissors Crossing was formerly a favorite place for butterflying, but only a small area is now accessible. The hills to the northeast support a flora and butterfly fauna similar to that found in nearby Sentenac Canyon. A magnificent western cottonwood shades the creek near the crossing and many desert agaves dot the hills to the east.

Blair Valley. Located 5 miles south of Scissors Crossing along county road S2, Blair Valley is a gradually sloping alluvial plain, penetrated by various jeep trails. This is a prime site for observing California Giant-Skippers in late September and early October. Although some people often search for these butterflies at night by lantern-light, most butterfliers will prefer to see them during the day. The sun rises at about 7:15 AM at this time of year, but the skippers don't become active until about 9:30 AM. After that time, they can be seen flying in areas where the agave hostplant is concentrated, and landing on vegetation or on the ground. Cautious stalking will be rewarded with close-up photo opportunities.

Box Canyon. This canyon parallels county road S2 about 8.5 miles south of Scissors Crossing. Portions of the old Butterfield Stage route are still visible here. Butterflies seen here in spring include Becker's White, Sara Orangetip, Sleepy Orange, Wright's Metalmark, Bramble Hairstreak, Silvery Blue, Acmon Blue, and California Patch. Fall butterflies here include California Patch, Tiny Checkerspot, Wright's Metalmark, 'Dammer's' Dotted Blue, Acmon Blue, Great Purple Hairstreak, and Juba Skipper. Always intriguing, California Giant-Skippers fly on the surrounding hillsides in the company of the beautiful day-flying moth, Hemileuca electra. Watch for Dotted Blues around their buckwheat hostplants, which also serve as nectar sources.

Southern California NABA members on a field trip to the park. March 16, 1996, Plum Canyon

The Laguna Mountains straddle much of the western boundary of the park and receive more rain in winter than does the desert (averaging about 35 inches per year at the crest). In fact, it is the rain shadow of these mountains which has created the desert. The butterflier who visits the park area later in the season will probably want to spend proportionately more time at these higher elevations. Although the state park touches only a portion of the crest of the range, I have included all species known from the crest in the species list below, and have even taken the liberty of suggesting a visit to Laguna Meadow, which is a few miles outside of the state park within the Cleveland National Forest.

   From Julian, the crest of the Laguna Mountains range can be reached by driving 6 miles south on highway 79, then turning left onto county road S1, the "Sunrise Highway," by Lake Cuyamaca. Gray Marbles fly near this intersection.

Garnet Mountain. About 7.5 miles south of the intersection is Garnet Mountain (not to be confused with Garnet Peak, which is farther south). Beginning in late April, 'Edwards' Indra Swallowtail flies near the summit of Garnet Mountain, which is within the state park proper, and on other nearby peaks as well. Hilltopping along with this handsome swallowtail one often also encounters Pale and Anise swallowtails. Curiously, Indra Swallowtails prefer to remain a short distance below the summit when hilltopping, whereas Pale and Anise swallowtails cruise the very summits themselves. Great Purple Hairstreaks, Sara Orangetips and Spring Whites, are among the other species which may be seen hilltopping at this time of year. Garnet Mountain is a favorite hangout (or hang-down) for hang-gliders.

Tiny Checkerspots are often abundant in Borrego Palm Canyon but this photograph was taken just outside Anza-Borrego at In-Ko-Pah Gorge. April 1992

Garnet Peak. The trailhead(s) for this peak is located roughly another three miles southeast of Garnet Mountain, just beyond Filaree Flat (traveling southeast) and on the left side of the Sunrise Highway (S1). Butterflies to be seen here will be similar to those at Garnet Mountain.

Laguna Meadow/Laguna Campground/Shrine Camp/Little Laguna Lake. About 4 miles farther south on the Sunrise Highway (and just outside the state park and into the Cleveland National Forest) one comes to Laguna/El Prado Campground.

   At the edge of Laguna Meadow, one may find the rare 'Laguna Mountains' Two-banded Checkered Skipper in association with its caterpillar foodplant, Cleveland's horkelia. This butterfly was listed as federally endangered in January, 1997 (now one of four butterflies in Southern California so designated). Land management changes may have resulted in decline of this butterfly, since its caterpillar foodplant is usually found growing in areas where the ground surface has been disturbed by fire, burrowing mammals, erosion, human traffic, grazing, or other factors. Protection from fire and grazing may have reduced open habitat where Cleveland's horkelia grows.

   In this same area one may find 'Harford's' Queen Alexandra's Sulphur, Brown Elfin, Acmon Blue, Arrowhead Blue, 'White' Common Checkered-Skipper, Common Branded Skipper, Juba Skipper, and most or all of the six duskywing skippers on the following list. A bit later in the season Dainty Sulphur, Ceraunus Blue, Reakirt's Blue, Boisduval's Blue, Great Copper, Purplish Copper, Mormon Metalmark, Gabb's Checkerspot and Mylitta Crescent begin appearing. Later still come Coronis Fritillary, Thicket Hairstreak (look for it on milkweed blossoms), and an occasional California Tortoiseshell. Many butterflies will be seen nectaring at Cleveland's horkelia when it is in bloom (June-August).

   Certain butterfly specialties of the area require searches a bit farther afield. The Small Blue, which flies in early April, was formerly reported from the Sweeney Pass area near the southern end of the park, but has not been seen there in recent years to my knowledge. In this area the Small Blue apparently uses the tiny annual kidney-leaf as its caterpillar foodplant. Annuals are especially dependent upon rainfall patterns; thus this butterfly has adopted what would appear to be a risky life strategy. The 'Quino' Edith's Checkerspot was listed as federally endangered in January, 1997. Although I am not aware of records from within the park proper, it occurs in the vicinity of Jacumba, probably no more than 3 or 4 miles outside the southern tip of the park. Since the butterfly also occurs far to the north in Riverside County, colonies within the park proper may also occur. Leanira Checkerspot is also found near the southern end of the park, at times flying in the company of its endangered relative.

A view of the Carrizo Badlands overlook after a springtime of ample rainfall. April, 1992

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the immediately surrounding areas of the Laguna Mountains crest offer exceptional adventures in butterfly watching from at least March through September. Many butterflies which are difficult to find elsewhere in California may be found here. In a year with favorable rainfall and on a spring day with calm air, a spectacular variety of butterflies may be found. There is a real need for butterfly records, especially from within the park proper. Restrictions on collecting within the park have meant that most records for the area, which are from specimens in collections, are from areas just outside the park. Visitors to the park who compile lists of sightings are encouraged to send these to the author at P.O. Box 300340, Escondido, California 92030. In closing, I would like to say that I hope all the readers of American Butterflies will have the opportunity to see our desert butterflies in the future, but, failing that, I hope you will have a chance to see our mountain butterflies in the pasture.

General Directions: Routes into the park from human population centers include Interstate 8 (east from San Diego), from which county road S2 proceeds northwest into the park, and state highway 78 (east from Oceanside via Escondido, Ramona and Julian), which passes through the park from west to east, and crosses S2 at Scissors Crossing (just outside the park). Specific sites mentioned in this article are indicated on the accompanying maps and directions to these sites are given above.

Use permits and related information: Both Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Cleveland National Forest have daily use fees of $5.00 per day per vehicle. Permits may be obtained at the Tamarisk Campground (for visitors coming on highway 78 through Julian), Bow Willow Campground (for visitors entering the park via. I8 and county road S2), or in Borrego Springs at Park Headquarters during the week or at the visitor center on weekends. Fees can also be paid at self-service stations at campground facilities. For more information about Anza-Borrego Desert SP, call 760-765-0755. For information about the Cleveland National Forest, including where to obtain use permits, call the U.S. Forest Service at 619-445-6235 in Alpine or at 760-788-0250 in Ramona.

Butterfly Species List:
Abbreviations are: A, abundant, likely to see more than 20 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time; C, common, likely to see 4-20 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time; U, uncommon, likely to see 0-3 individuals per visit to the right spot at the right time; R, rare, unlikely to see any even at the right spot at the right time; S, stray, not seen every year. Numbers refer to months of the year, where January = 1, February = 2, etc. These abundance ratings refer to years and days with "ideal" conditions. Species most often encountered in the chaparral and transition zones have been italicized.

Black Swallowtail U 2-10; Anise Swallowtail U 3-6; Indra Swallowtail U 3-5; Giant Swallowtail U-C 3-10; Western Tiger Swallowtail U 3-9; Pale Swallowtail U-C 3-8; Becker's White C-A 3-8; Spring White C 2-4; Checkered White C-A 1-12; Cabbage White U 1-12; Pearly Marble U 2-4; Desert Orangetip U 2-4; Sara Orangetip U-C 2-6; Gray Marble U 2-5; Clouded Sulphur U 6; Orange Sulphur U 2-10; 'Harford's' Queen Alexandra's Sulphur U-C 2-8; California Dogface U 4-5 & 7-9; Southern Dogface U 3-5 & 9-10; Cloudless Sulphur U-C 2-10; Mexican Yellow R 3-4 & 9; Sleepy Orange U-C 3-9; Dainty Sulphur U-C 3-10; Great Copper U-C 5-7; Gorgon Copper U 4-6; Purplish Copper U 4-10; Golden Hairstreak U-C 6-8; Great Purple Hairstreak U 3-10; Silver-banded Hairstreak S 10; California Hairstreak U 6-8; Sylvan Hairstreak U 6-8; Gold-Hunter's Hairstreak U 6-7; Mountain Mahogany Hairstreak U-C 6-7; Hedgerow Hairstreak C 4-7; 'Bramble' Bramble Hairstreak C-A 2-4; Brown Elfin C 2-6; Thicket Hairstreak U 3-8; 'Loki' Juniper Hairstreak C-A 3-4 & 9; 'Nelson's' Juniper Hairstreak U-C 6-7; Gray Hairstreak C 2-11; Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak R 8-10; Leda Ministreak U 5-10; Western Pygmy-Blue C 1-12; Marine Blue U-C 3-10; Ceraunus Blue U-C 3-10; Reakirt's Blue U 4-10; Western Tailed-Blue U 5-6; Spring Azure U-C 2-7; Sonoran Blue C 2-4; 'Bernardino' Square-spotted Blue U-C 5-7; 'Mojave' Dotted Blue U 4-5; 'Dammer's' Dotted Blue U-C 8-10; Small Blue R 4; Arrowhead Blue U 3-5; Silvery Blue C 2-4; Melissa Blue U 5-10; Boisduval's Blue U 5-6; Acmon Blue U-C 2-10; Lupine Blue U 5-7; Wright's Metalmark U-C 3-10; Mormon Metalmark U-C 3-4 and 9-11; Palmer's Metalmark U 4-11; American Snout U-C 10-11; Variegated Fritillary S 9; Coronis Fritillary U-C 6-9; Leanira Checkerspot R 4-6; California Patch C-A 3-4 & 6 & 9; Bordered Patch R 3-10; 'Neumogen's' Sagebrush Checkerspot U 3-4; Gabb's Checkerspot U 3-6; Tiny Checkerspot C-A 5-6 & 9; Mylitta Crescent U-C 3-9; 'Henne's' Variable Checkerspot U-C 3-5; 'Quino' Edith's Checkerspot U 4-6; California Tortoiseshell U 4-8; Mourning Cloak U 2-11; American Lady R 3-9; Painted Lady C-A 1-12; West Coast Lady U 2-10; Red Admiral U 3-11; Common Buckeye U-C 3-11; Lorquin's Admiral U 4-9; California Sister U-C 4-9; 'California' Common Ringlet U 4-9; Great Basin Wood-Nymph U-C 6-8; Monarch U 4-10; Queen C 4-11; Arizona Powdered-Skipper U 2-3 & 9; Sleepy Duskywing U 3-6; Propertius Duskywing U-C 3-6; Mournful Duskywing U 3-9; Pacuvius Duskywing U 4-10; Funereal Duskywing C 2-10; Afranius Duskywing C 3-8; 'Laguna Mountains' Two-banded Checkered-Skipper R 4-8; Small Checkered-Skipper R 3-10; 'White' Common Checkered-Skipper U 2-10; Northern White-Skipper U-C 4-10; Common Sootywing U 4-9; Mojave Sootywing U 3-10; Orange Skipperling C 4-9; Fiery Skipper U 4-12; Alkali Skipper R 6-7; Juba Skipper C 4-6 & 8-9; Common Branded Skipper U-C 5-8; Columbian Skipper R 3-5 & 9-10; Lindsey's Skipper U 5-7; Sandhill Skipper U 3-9; Sachem U 7-10; Woodland Skipper C 7-9; Rural Skipper U 5-7; Dun Skipper R 5-7; Eufala Skipper U-C 3 & 7-10; California Giant-Skipper U 9-10; Yucca Giant-Skipper U 2-4.

All photographs this article by Jack N. Levy and all maps by Richard Hildreth

Legend

1. Yaqui Well 2. Plum Canyon 3. Sentenac Canyon 4. Box Canyon 5. Borrego Palm Canyon 6. Clark Dry Lake 7. Rockhouse Canyon 8. Blair Valley