Overlooking Borrego Badlands from Font's Point

This month's image was taken last winter in February. It shows Font's Point after sunset, a fabulous overlook at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Sunrise or sunset is the best time of the day to fully appreciate the beauty of this vast expanse of eroded clay and mud hills. During the day Borrego Badlands usually look rather grey and dull, but they turn golden as soon as the sun rises or sets and glow truly magnificently at dusk or dawn.

The signed access road starts about 10 miles east of the Christmas Circle at the town of Borrego Springs along County Road S22 (Borrego Salton Seaway). Although it's only a 4-mile-drive, a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended to get to this overlook. You will be following a dry wash and there might be a lot of loose and deeper sand along the way. The access road ("Fonts Wash") is clearly marked on the Park Map, please check the "Brochures" at the official website. Some people made it out there in a regular passenger car, but we would definitely not recommend trying that.

For another perspective of these incredibly scenic ridges and gullies you might also consider driving to nearby Vista Del Malpais. The unmarked jeep road ("Thimble Trail") starts 2,5 miles further east on S22 just before mile marker 32. It is longer and way rougher than the one leading to Font's Point and it definitely requires 4WD all the time.

Image data: 10 s at f/14, ISO 200; Canon EF 16-35mm 1:2.8 L II USM at 19 mm, Metabones-Adapter MB_EF-E-BT4, Sony Alpha 7R II

Related Links: More images from Anza-Borrego and our blog describing its wonderful Slot Canyons