Anza-Borrego North: Cannonball Wash

Cannonball Wash

Cannonball Wash

One element of the badlands of Anza-Borrego is mud from the Colorado River delta. Some parts of the mud were stickier than others. As this mud clung to sticks, stones, and other matter, it turned to stone more quickly than the mud around it. The result is the phenomenon known as concretions.

Cannonball Wash is crossed by the section of the Truckhaven Trail from Arroyo Salado Wash (the west end) to the Borrego-Salton Seaway at the head of the road to the Calcite Mine (the east end). It is more easily reached from the east end. From the Borrego-Salton Seaway (Call Box S-22-382), drive 0.7 mile to the top of a ridge, park, and walk the 0.25 mile into the canyon and turn right. Begin your explorations from here.