This is one of my favorite hikes in all of Borrego desert. We started out from San Diego at 6:30AM driving due East on I-8 to Ocotillo. The ride out is scenic, especially as it courses over the mountains then down into the desert below. At Ocotillo we doubled back north-west on S-2 for about 5mi's to Mortero Wash, where we cut off-road toward the trail head at Mortero Palms. There is only one spot where a 4WD vehicle is essential... but one is enough if you only have a 2WD conveyance. Fortunately, we opted to take Andrew's truck which was more than up to the task.

On the dirt trail in, we cross an abandoned RR track between a water tank, for recharging train engine supplies, and the ruins of an attendant's shack (didn't find a feather bed but I'm sure was one at one time, figuratively speaking at least. Life at this whistle stop didn't appear to have been too demanding). Eventually, the 'road' dead ends at Mortero Palms trail head. We hydrated with a couple of colas, donned day packs and set off about 9:30AM. Total round trip distance is about 8mi's add some for exploring when you reach the objective and it is more like 12mi's. On this particular outing we returned around 7PM, tired but exhilarated by the experience. I highly recommend this hike to anyone wanting to explore the desert. It has a bit of everything...