Peaks 74 & 75 - Wilson Benchmark and Pinyon Ridge (4614) - A perfect desert day

Wilson Peak (Benchmark)
Elevation: 4,573’
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Pinyon Ridge High Point
Elevation: 4,614’
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Total Mileage: 8.7
Trailhead: Wilson Peak Trailhead
Agency: Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Date Hiked: 12/27/2018

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:

100 Peaks Amazon Gear List

12/27/2018
It was an ideal December day for a nice desert hike. Big clouds were amassing overhead without any chance of rain the forecast, and the air was cool with a breeze.

I drove out to Ranchita and was ready for the sudden right hand turn onto the Jasper Trail, but I still flew past it. I made the u-turn and turned left onto the dirt road. It’s really easy to miss.

I heard varying reports of what I should expect of this road, but was pleasantly surprised by there being only one easy large puddle my AWD CR-V had to ford. I was careful to research the turns I had to make to get to the trailhead, as any parking on private roads will lead to a visit from the Sheriff and a nice parking ticket.

Before long, I was at the trailhead, a turnout with a bush in the middle and clear signs indicating I was in the right spot.

At the Wilson Trailhead — At the Wilson Peak Trailhead

I got my water and things ready. It was pretty chilly, but I knew I would be warming up soon. I wore gloves for most of the hike. The trail was a nice gentle incline, so I was able to make good time, while still enjoying the scenery around me. The birds were pretty active and there was a lot of green starting to peek out after the recent rains.

It was also pretty evident that this area saw a wildfire come through. In August of 2012, several fires in the area burnt thousands of acres, with 11,691 acres on Pinyon Ridge alone.

Evidence of the Wilson Fire in 2012 is obvious along the hike

As it almost always happens, nature found a way to persist and the desert is regrowing.

As I hiked along the trail, which slowly led upward to the hills to the east, I was constantly stopping to stare at the clouds as they cast shadows on the surrounding mountains. I ended up taking so many pictures, but none of them did justice to the beauty that was before me.

The Pinyon Ridge High Point, one of my destinations, came into view before me. It seemed the western flanks would be a challenging bushwhack. I had already decided to summit it on the way back, so I continued on toward Wilson Benchmark, staying on the trail to the left of Pinyon Ridge HP.

I could see a couple of people packing up a tent flapping in the wind on a ridgeline near the high point. I would have personally sought shelter from the gusts in one of the flat low-lying areas, but I bet their view overnight was amazing.

After I hiked through a couple of wide valleys, which were full of potential backpacking sites, Wilson Peak/Benchmark was above me, across a wide plain.

Wilson Benchmark, with the trail leading around the left (north) shoulder

Once again, I stayed on the trail to the left, heading over the north shoulder of Wilson BM. As I wrapped around the north of the mountain, I found some old wooden posts and saw a slight use trail leading up the mountain, away from the main trail. The main trail appeared to continue on around the mountain.

Faint use trail leading to the top of Wilson BM

After a short scramble, half use-trail and half cross-country, I made it to the top of Wilson BM. The clouds were amazing and enjoyed my lunch with the wind and sky.

After sending a short video to my daughter who was at home, I descended back to the trail, heading toward the Pinyon Ridge High Point. After enjoying some of the open areas, the trail began to climb over a small hill, at the bottom on the other side, I could see a wide flat area leading to the foot of Pinyon Ridge HP.

I decided to go cross-country for this part. Looking back, it likely would have been OK to take the ridge further west on the trail, but this way was just fine. Having a GPS and researching the route ahead of time helped a great deal. It’s easy to get lost off trail out here without it.

Cross Country Hiking to the Pinyon Ridge High Point

I picked a path that led up through the boulders. The gravelly sand was pretty soft in spots, my feet sinking in an inch or two here and there. No one had been up here today. At least not by this path. After the short climb, I emerged onto the top of the ridge. This was the highest point on the ridge, a mere 30 feet higher in elevation than Wilson Benchmark.

However, the view west tumbled all the way down to Grapevine Canyon below Grapevine Mountain, with Granite Mountain after that. The sun streamed in between dark clouds, and the desert alternated between shadow and glowing granite.

I stayed a while up there, leaning back and enjoying the view. The clouds were moving quickly, changing the landscape every minute. Only the sound of the wind in my ears broke the silence. The desert is a beautiful place.

I could see for miles in each direction. The recent rains had washed the air, leaving me to feel that I could reach out and touch Granite Mountain, easily over 12 miles away as the crow flies. I peeled myself away from the view and followed an easy wash on the north side of the mountain back down to the trail.

The trail was a gradual downhill, and easy to follow, so I decided to run the way back to the car. I caught up with the backpackers. I was going to stop and chat, but I didn’t want to interrupt the music that they had playing on speakers.

As I ran back to the car, the temperature started dropping as the sun headed toward the ridges to the west. The wind got a little stronger as a flock of tiny birds flitted from yucca to yucca. From time to time, jackrabbits would dart away from me.

I made it back to the car, with just about 9 miles under my feet for the day. For some, the desert can feel desolate, especially this ridge, which was burnt in 2012. For me, the desert is always alive and wide open to the wonderful skies.

I’ll be back here with a backpack and a tent to enjoy the silence and the endless stars.