The Slot

Slot canyon hikes are hard to come by here in SoCal. Most opt to hike the trails in Mecca, while others take the trek out to Arizona for some of the more famous slots. Me? I opted for The Slot, one of the hikes featured in the 2018 Everything In-Between Challenge.

The Slot trail in Anza-Borrego may not be long, but it sure is mighty! Tight spaces and beautiful geology make this hike worth the drive out to the desert. The turnoff from the highway can be easy to miss, as can the parking area; neither of which is designated with large signage. Your best bet to get there is to input “The Slot” into Google Maps or use “fended.agile.pure” on What3Words. DO NOT make the sharp left after the big open dirt lot (which is where you should be parking). This proceeds down an experienced 4×4 only route known as the Diablo Drop Off.

Once you park, if you’re looking to extend your hike a bit, start out to the right of the trailhead and trek uphill to the summit of West Butte. The trail can be hard to find in places, so you will need some trail finding skills. Make sure you bring your map and compass (and know how to use them). The top of West Butte boasts some of the best views in Anza-Borrego State Park. On a nice clear day, you can see the majestic Salton Sea off in the distance.

 

Once you’ve taken in all the views, head back down to the trail junction and continue on to the wash below. You’ll be walking through sand here, and trekking poles can come in handy! This is where you’ll need your map or you may end up going in the wrong direction as there are many washes that converge in the canyon. Continue through the wash for a bit. Don’t forget to take a penis pic with the not to be missed rock formation!

 

Soon, you’ll come to The Slot. It’s a rather short canyon, but boy is it beautiful. If you get there early enough, you’ll have the canyon all to yourself! Take pictures and enjoy the scenery. But don’t forget to look up!! The view from the bottom up is mesmerizing. Once you’re done exploring, hike up the side of the hill and back to the parking lot.

For a great trail description, visit our friends over at Modern Hiker. They also have a wonderful GPX file you can download for your GPS device.

When you’re done at The Slot, there are plenty of other super great spots to see within Anza-Borrego State Park! Do you have a favorite slot canyon hike? Let us know in the comments below!