Driving Direction San Diego - Borrego

  • 95 Miles, 2.5 hrs driving time from downtown San Diego

  • Route: San Diego (I-8), Julian (SR79), Borrego Springs (SR78)

  • Last 6 mi's requires 4WD.  Water crossings, rocks

  • Gate sometimes closed at 6 mi mark.  Call Borrego Ranger Station for status.

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Borrego Springs Area Road Map

  • Take Palm Canyon Rd from Borrego Springs circle east to Di Gorgio Rd. (left)

  • Take Di Giorgio Rd north into desert.  Note: Pavement ends without warning!!

  • Jeep trail requires 4WD after 5 mi mark at Lower Willows

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Cougar Canyon Topo Map

  • Total canyon distance 1.5 mi's each way

  • Moderate hike difficulty.  Requires: rock scrambling, some route finding, tree climbing (really!!), non-technical climbing

  • Perennial water in Cougar Creek.  Bring filter.

  • Camp sites at mouth of Cougar & Sheep Canyons

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Hike Elevation Profile

  • Beginning elevation 1,610 ft.

  • Max elevation 2,441 ft

  • Elevation gain +839 ft

  • Steep in spots.  Requires some non-technical climbing

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Jeep Trail to Trailhead

  • 4WD required 5 mi's after leaving pavement on Di Giorgio Rd.

  • Gate sometimes closed at Lower Willows (6.4 mi mark).  Call Borrego Ranger Station to confirm status.  Adds 5 mi's to hike each way if gate is closed.

  • Jeep trail ends at Sheep Canyon.  Hike 0.7 mi south to mouth of Cougar Canyon (turns SW).

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