Calcite Mine Slots, Anza-Borrego Desert CA

• 5-star hikes
• 3 to 4 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 540 to 790 feet
• Borrego Springs, CA | San Diego Region
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A person is seen walking through a narrow canyon with towering, rugged rock walls on either side. The canyon walls feature layers and textures formed by natural erosion, showcasing light brown and beige hues. Above, the sky is a bright, clear blue, contrasting vividly with the earthy tones of the rock. The individual in the scene is dressed in a dark outfit, wearing a cap and carrying a backpack, and is walking away from the camera, moving deeper into the canyon.

Heading deeper into South Fork Palm Wash Canyon.

You don't have to travel to Vegas to find winning slots, as the stunning natural slot canyons of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park can attest. Most visitors to the park will be familiar with 'The Slot' which is a wildly popular half-mile trail that deserves the 5-stars we gave it in our trail review (see link in 'Trailspotting Nearby' below). However, we dare to say that these Palm Wash Canyons located beneath the Santa Rosa Mountains to the north are even better and offer more chances for solitude. This hike also includes a historically interesting mine site and great panoramic views across the desert plains.

Off-pavement roadside parking next to the trailhead is the best option for many visitors, though those familiar with off-pavement driving will likely feel comfortable driving a short distance down the sandy Calcite Mine Road to the off-road parking area marked on our map. It's also possible to drive closer to the mine site along the road, but you'd be skipping the slot canyons which we consider the best features of the area.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 5★ Palm Wash Loop & Mine Spur* 4.2 mi loop, moderate, gain 790 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 5★ Palm Wash Loop* 3.2 mi loop, moderate, gain 540 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

P Free parking. *Clockwise recommended.

We strongly recommend a clockwise route of the canyon loop that leads into the South Fork Palm Wash Slot Canyon. You may be less than impressed with the first half-mile along a wide canyon with a vehicle track in the middle, but once you reach the trail-spanning natural rock arch you'll be in pedestrian-only territory. Canyon walls constrict and widen to dramatic effect at varying points along the trail. Often the trail bed is firm flat and sandy, while occasionally you'll need to step over boulders or navigate around canyon rockfalls.

Where the trail forks you could choose to investigate the dead-end slot to your left, or continue along the route to the right, tackling a short uphill scramble and meeting up with Calcite Mine Road again. From here you can choose either an out-and-back route to the mine along the road, or to return to the trailhead down another impressive slot canyon.

The image displays a prominent natural rock formation in a desert setting. The centerpiece of the scene is a massive sandstone arch or bridge-like structure, showcasing its rugged, weathered texture with layers and cracks formed over time. The sandstone varies in shades of brown, tan, and beige, illuminated by sunlight that enhances its intricate details. The base of the arch is surrounded by sparse vegetation, including small desert shrubs and bushes, which emphasize the arid landscape. In the background, the sky is a vivid, cloudless blue, contrasting strikingly against the earthy tones of the rock formation.

South Canyon transitions to foot traffic at this arch.

The calcite mineworks appear as a series of trenches dug deep into the siltstone, coupled with a bunch of spoil heaps. The mine's objective was the production of a high-grade rainbow calcite mineral that is highly prized for its reflective and polarizing properties by the optical industry. An interpretive sign at the trailhead describes how the Polaroid corporation used it to invent an optical ring sight. Shards of the material can easily be found around the area.

The half-mile uphill hike to the mine site follows Calcite Mine Road for most of its length, but veers off onto an informal uphill scramble just as the road bends and continues to the right. The additional uphill journey is also worth the trek to gain a better perspective over the landscape, as southerly views reward with impressively expansive panoramas across both rocky outcroppings and desert plains.

$The image consists of two photographs placed side by side. On the left, there is a view of a narrow canyon with tall, rugged rock walls made of light-colored stone. The canyon is sunlit, with the sunlight partially obscured by the canyon walls, casting dramatic shadows and emphasizing the layered textures of the rocks. The ground appears sandy, and the sky above is a bright, cloudless blue. On the right, there is a close-up photograph of a translucent mineral or rock held delicately between two fingers. The rock's crystalline structure is illuminated by sunlight, revealing intricate fractures and inclusions within. Against the vibrant blue sky, the mineral glows, showcasing its transparency and internal patterns.$
Impressive narrows in both canyons. | Rainbow calcite at the mine.

Continuing the clockwise Palm Wash Loop journey downhill towards the trailhead leads into a second slot canyon. We keep stressing the need for a clockwise hiking route because of a brief 5-foot high step-down section along this slot canyon, that is moderately easy to scramble down but is much more difficult to scale in an uphill direction. Another slightly larger step is also present along this canyon route, but thankfully that one has been kindly kitted out with a short wooden ladder.

⚠ Heat Safety Tips: Both slot canyons offer partial shade, but exposure to the elements is still a concern on this trail. Please stay safe in hot weather by knowing the weather forecast and planning to avoid the hottest parts of the day. Recognize danger signs and turn back when necessary. Wear lightweight non-cotton clothing and head coverings. Use sunblock and UV lip balm. Bring more water than you think you need, coupled with salt and electrolyte tablets.

The image depicts a stark desert scene with distinctive geological features. In the foreground stands a large, eroded rock formation characterized by multiple cavities and rugged textures, likely caused by natural erosion. The terrain is predominantly dry, composed of rocky and sandy patches interspersed with sparse vegetation, including small shrubs and bushes adapted to the arid environment. In the background, the landscape stretches into vast, open desert plains, flanked by distant mountain ranges under a wide, clear blue sky.

Sandstone protrusions frame a Anza-Borrego Desert panorama.

The image presents a vast, arid desert landscape with rugged, rocky terrain dominating the scene. In the foreground, there is a dry, leafless bush with multiple intertwined branches, its silvery-gray hues contrasting with the reddish-brown tones of the surrounding terrain. The mid-ground features deep canyons with irregular rock formations, showcasing layers of weathered stone created by years of natural erosion. Beyond the canyons, a series of barren hills and mountains rise in the distance, their peaks appearing jagged and sharp. The background is illuminated by a clear, bright blue sky.

Wide canyon views back at the trailhead.

Tangents:
• AllTrails Public: Calcite Mine Road Route
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

Trailspotting Nearby
4★ Borrego Palm Canyon (3 mi) · 5★ The Slot (1-2 mi) · 5★ Stonewall Peak (4-5 mi) · Show Map

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