Combs Peak

Overview

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s high point, Combs Peak, stands atop the colorfully named massif known as Bucksnort Mountain southwest of Coyote Canyon on the northwest end of the park. Cloaked in chaparral and Coulter pine saplings, Combs Peak stands in contrast to typical desert peaks with their nearly naked arrangements of boulders, cacti, and occasional shrubs. Views from the 6,193’ summit survey a magnificent panorama of the entirety of the Santa Rosa Mountains to the north and the Palomar Mountains and San Jose del Valle to the south. To reach Combs Peak, find the Pacific Crest Trail junction leading north from Chihuahua Valley Road. In typical PCT fashion, the narrow tread winds in and out of and around ravines in order to maintain a moderate uphill grade in a generally northerly direction. The landscape here has suffered through a succession of fires over the years, and as time goes by the chaparral will recover along with sporadic patches of Coulter pines. Coulter pines thrive in drier environments at the middle elevations, and although most of the old-growth trees burnt up in the fires, Coulter pines will again stand up like whiskers after a bad shave in the coming decades, pending any future fires. At 1.9 miles, the PCT tops out on a ridge on the eastern shoulder of Combs Peak. Several campsites lies to the west of the trail, and this dry camp has become a popular overnight spot for PCT hikers and local backpackers. Since this is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, no permits are required to camp here. Most places in Anza-Borrego permit campfires, provided you bring a metal container to hold the fire. However, having a fire in the chaparral belt would be an extremely risky and foolish venture as one spark could end up incinerating thousands of acres. The views across Coyote Canyon toward Toro Peak and the Santa Rosa Mountains are inspiring, but not as impressive as the summit views that await. From the campsites, turn west to find an informal path through thick chaparral up to the summit of Combs Peak. T

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