Near Font's Point Route
Two hikers descend into the badlands near Font's Point.
Near Font's Point Route
Hikers crossing the desert to Fonts Point.
Near Font's Point Route
Hikers approaching Font's Point on the rim trail.
Near Font's Point Route
View north of the Thimble Trail / vehicle track
Near Font's Point Route
Badlands southeast of Fonts Point.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Route

Font's Point Route

4.0 (2 Ratings)
Sweeping vistas of desert badlands and a narrow winding wash.
11.2
mi
Distance
1,353
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
Views

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
11.22mi
Distance
1,353ft
Elevation Gain
1,353ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
1,281ft
High Point
655ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
For an easy and short hike, head east following the rim for about two miles following a faint trail, and return. More adventuresome folks can make a loop of it as shown by gradually descending, staying on ridges, before dropping into the narrow washes of the badlands. Depending on exactly how you drop in you might have to do a bit of scooching on your bottom to get down safely. This entails a small risk and isn't recommended solo; there probably isn't cell phone reception and even if there is it might not work at the bottom of a wash if you get hurt.Once you reach the large east-west running Short Wash, you can simply follow it west for a shorter loop. But it is more interesting to follow Short Wash east until you just about reach the north-south running Palo Verde Wash briefly to catch the narrower wash running northwest at the midsection of the loop, 5.2 miles into the loop. This wash contains the collapsed mud bridge mentioned in one of the two Robin Halford Hiking Anza Borrego Desert books at 33.28248387, -116.19429673. The wash narrows to a slot canyon and ascends, emptying out near a dirt road that meets S22 at 33.302683, -116.197970, just over a mile away, making it a good alternative starting point for this loop hike. From this northernmost point, strike across the desert 3.6 miles to finish the loop. The exact route doesn't matter much but stay east of the short but steep cliffs that end at 33.277350, -116.213760. South of these cliffs, it is easiest to follow the wash southwest and south as shown.The recommended season is November to April when the desert is cooler.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

Nearby Hike Routes

Fonts Point

Hike Route

Fonts Point

Views
easy
11.22 mi
+891 ft
Mile High Mountain

Hike Route

Mile High Mountain

Views
strenuous
13.73 mi
+5,178 ft
Villager Peak

Hike Route

Villager Peak

Views
strenuous
13.56 mi
+5,000 ft
Villager-Rabbit Out-and-Back Route

Hike Route

Villager-Rabbit Out-and-Back Route

Views
strenuous
20.86 mi
+8,096 ft
Rock Tanks Loop

Hike Route

Rock Tanks Loop

Views
strenuous
5.37 mi
+1,219 ft
West Butte Mountain and the Slot

Hike Route

West Butte Mountain and the Slot

Views
moderate
4.66 mi
+724 ft
Contributors
Matthew Kidd