Coyote Mountain in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA

Hike Coyote Mountain Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA

Class 1 5.3 miles 2600 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 22, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Coyote Mountain GPX Track

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Coyote Mountain is a relatively popular desert peak in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It's approached from various directions, but the standard route seems to use its southeast ridge. A very good social trail has been formed, making this ascent a nice hike up a steep desert slope. To reach the trailhead, head north on the graded Rockhouse Canyon Road here (33.29418, -116.29022).

We started west toward the southeast ridge through some rocky terrain since we saw no clear trail. We avoided large black boulders, sticking to cleared spurts along the desert floor. A major canyon drainage from the summit was a good landmark to head toward initially, since the ridge begins on its eastern bank. We dropped into the wash formed by the drainage and located a clear social trail on its opposite side, which we followed as it wrapped around a rockier slope and ascended more tamely directly from the south.

Once on the southeast ridge, we had no trouble keeping to the social trail. Despite the remote vibe of Coyote Mountain, it gets enough traffic that even during mid-week we saw a party on our way down. The grade is moderate as far as desert peaks go, but pretty sustained. The hike resembles the standard route to nearby  Villager Peak in all ways except in length, a peak which was ever-present on the horizon along this hike. In contrast to many peaks nearby, Coyote Mountain offers notably stable footing, facilitating rapid elevation gain more easily. There were short spurts of rockier terrain, but cairns helped mark the way if we were ever unclear as to where to go.

The trail became a little less clear for the last few hundred feet to the top. The summit of Coyote Mountain is wide and flat, but the views toward the other major peaks of Anza-Borrego, such as Rabbit Peak and Indianhead, were clearly visible around us from this high-prominence point. We backtracked the same way we came up.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Coyote Mountain
3192 ft
1592 rise

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Starting through the open desert toward the southeastern ridge. Coyote Mountain seen top right.
Starting through the open desert toward the southeastern ridge. Coyote Mountain seen top right.
Crossing a wash to gain the southeastern ridge.
Crossing a wash to gain the southeastern ridge.
A social trail takes us up Coyote Mountain's southeastern ridge.
A social trail takes us up Coyote Mountain's southeastern ridge.
The ridgeline to come.
The ridgeline to come.
View back down at our progress. Rockhouse Canyon Road is seen left, where the car is.
View back down at our progress. Rockhouse Canyon Road is seen left, where the car is.
Somewhat flatter section where the trail is well-defined, Coyote Mountain up there somewhere.
Somewhat flatter section where the trail is well-defined, Coyote Mountain up there somewhere.
Another shot back along the southeastern ridge.
Another shot back along the southeastern ridge.
Well-defined social trail, though there were some rockier sections.
Well-defined social trail, though there were some rockier sections.
Looking back as we work toward the last push to Coyote Mountain. Villager Peak's ridge seen top left.
Looking back as we work toward the last push to Coyote Mountain. Villager Peak's ridge seen top left.
Image 9 from gallery
Coyote Mountain ahead.
Coyote Mountain ahead.
Last bit to the summit, a bit steeper and the trail is slightly harder to locate.
Last bit to the summit, a bit steeper and the trail is slightly harder to locate.
Summit of Coyote Mountain, view back down.
Summit of Coyote Mountain, view back down.
View toward Indianhead to the west.
View toward Indianhead to the west.
View toward Rabbit Peak (right) and Toro Peak (left).
View toward Rabbit Peak (right) and Toro Peak (left).
He'll take any chance he can to pole dance.
He'll take any chance he can to pole dance.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!