Toro Pk conditions

[spencer]

Thinking about backpacking past Toro Pk in 2 weeks. Does anyone know how much snow is up there and at what elevation it starts; or anything else I should know about this area?

[KathyW]

I imagine there's snow on the north facing slopes.

[halhiker]

There's not really a lot of backpacking on Toro Peak unless you plan on doing mostly cross country exploration. The main access is via Santa Rosa Mountain Road and you can drive all the way to within a short distance of the top provided there's not much snow or ice and you have a 4WD. The is an old road which climbs the north face of the mountain known locally as the Sawmill Road and it ends about a mile or so short of Santa Rosa Mountain Road. It's an easy cross country hike from the sawmill to the main road.

As far as snow goes I would imagine that the snow level is comparable to what you'd find in Long Valley at the Tram. There are around the same elevation although TP is is bit higher. The recording is available at 760-327-0222. It's a cool area and I would imagine you'd have to mountain to yourself this time of year.

[Yichus]

Starting around the 4500 ft level, the trail is completely covered in snow, at least it was when my brother and I drove up there on Sunday. We made it to the last switchback before the peak but decided to turn back as this section is somewhat steep (We were in a Jeep.) I'd say there is about a foot of snow above 7500 feet, perhaps more.

[spencer]

Its a 6 day semi-loop crossing over the Santa Rosas @5500' to upper Rockhouse Basin then NW back to Hwy 74. At least we will be on the south facing slope of Toro so hopefully less snow. Will plan on trying to stay below the snow line if we can.Thanks for the info.

[halhiker]

Sounds like a great trip. I'm guessing you're going the Cactus Spring Trail to Martinez Canyon, over the Santa Rosas to Rockhouse Canyon and then back over or up Toro and then down to the Cactus Spring Trailhead again. I've been trying to get together a trip from Borrego through Rockhouse over the Santa Rosas and then down to La Quinta. Let us know how it goes and please post some pictures once you're done.

Hal

[spencer]

Trip Report: Dec 27,2007 to Jan 1, 2008 Semi-circumnavigation of Toro Pk/Santa Rosa Mtn.

Most of trip was XC/old Native Am. routes...some trail, some abandoned dirt roads.

Day 1 Morning was cold (upper 20's) starting on Cactus Sp Tr @ Pinyon Flat heading SE. Water available at Horsethief Ck but our 1st nite destination was Agua Alta Sp. Trail is ok to follow until the turn off at the saddle to climb Martinez... no evidence of recent foot travel beyond.Must be alert and look for cairns. Agua Alta has good water flow out of a trough with pipe.

Day2 Dawned with warmth-giving early sun striking the tent. This is a scenic area with abundant pinyon between Toro and Martinez. Heading SE once again, must be aware as cairns are infrequent and trail is very faint...use map and compass to make sure going in right direction. Steep drop into Martinez Cyn at intersection with Tahquitz Cyn. Some water 5 min up Tahquitz at small falls. Continued up Martinez to nites destination - Jack Miller Rockhouse. Seldom visited cabin which is probably fine with the resident mice. Good water supply here.

Day3 Spent afew AM hours of poking around taking pictures and scouting for the start of the route up to the crest of the Santa Rosas. Carrying 2 gallons water for the dry camp on the crest as none available until Rockhouse Valley. Can generally follow the Native Am route along the ridges. Lose trail in a few places...keep on climbing.Made camp on a saddle near crest with spectacular views from Toro to Salton Sea.

Day 4 Two hours down to Rockhouse Valley where did a 10 min side trip to check out spring in side canyon. This is probably"Stifferino Spring". Reference Diana Lindsay's book "Anza-Borrego A to Z", "Doc" Beaty named this spring due to its male enhancing qualities. He is reputed to have taken men to the spring on pack trips to sample its water. It may have been another of Docs wild tales to get people to pay him to be guided into the hills. Can not confirm the 'powers' of the water. Water available at rate of 1 Qt/ 3 min.
Continued West to Old Santa Rosa Village where some water is available in a seep and then 3 miles further to Nicholias Cyn camp at Cottonwood trees. Excellent water here which froze during the nite even though in a tent.

Day 5 Carrying 1 1/2 Gallons water, journey continued NW to Toro Sp (some water)above a lone Cottonwood tree on a flat. This would make a nice campsite but we traveled another strenuous mile bushwacking, following animal tracks. Sure glad grabbed an alder branch in Nicholias to break thru the dead brush. After 2 hours reached the end of an abandoned dirt road near Alder Cyn which nature is reclaiming...to make camp.

Day 6 ...10 to 11 miles of dirt road hiking, sometimes so overgrown it had disappeared and map and compass needed to navigate. The day wouldn't be complete without another hour spent bushwacking from Vandeventer Flat up to Santa Rosa Mtn Rd where our 2nd car was parked.

If any interests in future desert backpacking/ desert explorations ...feel free to contact me.

Spencer

[halhiker]

Sounds like a great trip. Any pictures?

[msugarpants]

Spencer and Hal,

hahaha, this is great to find this here! The two of you know what I am talking about

[msugarpants]

too bad I found it 4 years too late maybe next time, eh?!