Whale Peak Backpacking – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Whale Peak is one of the most scenic backpacking destinations in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering expansive desert views, rugged mountain terrain, and excellent opportunities for overnight wilderness camping in eastern San Diego County. This trip iollows a rewarding route through the remote desert landscape to one of the park’s most recognizable summits, where solitude, sweeping vistas, and dramatic terrain create a memorable backcountry experience. Whale Peak also serves as Peak #60 on my San Diego 100 Peaks Challenge
Whale Peak
Elevation: 5,350′
Mileage: ~10
Trailhead: Whale Peak Trailhead
Agency: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Date Hiked: 04/17/2011, 12/28/2017, 01/15/2018, 03/27/2021
Peakbagger.com Page
For those interested, here is a list of my gear that I have found works well for me. This is, of course, an affiliate link and your enjoyment of these may vary:
Gathering the PD and his daughter, Soph and I headed out to Whale Peak in January to not only collect another peak for her, but to enjoy the quiet solitude of the desert. I had been there twice already, but never to camp.
We approached from the north and camped in a large flat area below the peak. It had obviously been used for years as a campsite. It got pretty cold, dropping into the high 30’s. The night sky was amazing and the silence was wonderful.
We got up the next morning for the short scramble to the top. We enjoyed the morning sun from the top of Whale Peak and relaxed while the girls enjoyed their time atop a large boulder.
Sometimes that’s all you need to enjoy nature at its finest.
