Getting There
The drive from San Diego to Mortero Palms trailhead takes about 2.5
hours. Several maps and detailed driving instructions from various
points in San Diego county are provided below. You do NOT have to
have a 4WD vehicle to get there if you follow these instructions. A
high clearance 2WD vehicle is useful, though a standard sedan can make it
all the way to the trailhead if driven slowly. |
 |
| Like most destinations, there are a number of
ways to get there. Mortero Palms trailhead in Borrego desert is no
exception. The fastest route from the San Diego area is to travel
east on I-8 until you get to Ocotillo, then backtrack north-west along S2
for about 9 miles to Mortero Wash. Turn left (south) along the
Mortero Wash jeep trail for 6.7 miles. You will cross the RR tracks
at the 4 mile mark and encounter a 4WD-only obstruction at the 5.6 mile
mark. See Mortero Wash detail map for how to circumnavigate the
obstruction. |
Driving Instructions
|
I-5 @ La Costa Ave. to Trailhead
|
I-8 @ I-5 to Trailhead
|
Road
|
Leg Dist.
|
Tot. Dist.
|
Road
|
Leg Dist.
|
Tot. Dist.
|
| I-5 south to I-805 |
12 mi's |
|
I-8 to Ocotillo (HWY S2) |
87 mi's |
|
| I-805 to I-8 east |
11 |
|
S2 to Mortero Wash |
9 |
|
| I-8 to Ocotillo (HWY S2) |
82 |
|
Mortero Wast to Trailhead |
6.7 |
102.7 mi's |
| S2 to Mortero Wash |
9 |
|
|
|
|
| Mortero Wast to Trailhead |
6.7 |
120.7 mi's |
|
|
|
|
I-8 @ I-805 to Trailhead
|
I-8 @ I-15 to Trailhead
|
Road
|
Leg Dist.
|
Tot. Dist.
|
Road
|
Leg Dist.
|
Tot. Dist.
|
|
I-8 east to
Ocotillo (HWY S2) |
82 mi's |
|
I-8 east @
I-5 to Ocotillo |
81 mi's |
|
| HWY S2 to Mortero Wash |
9 |
|
HWY S2 to Mortero Wash |
9 |
|
| Mortero Wash to Trailhead |
6.7 |
97.7 mi'S |
Mortero Wash to Trailhead |
6.7 |
96.7 mi's |
Driving Maps
|
Overview
|
Ocotillo to Trailhead
|
Mortero Wash Detail
|
     
|
