CGA Camps: Anza Borrego California (Oct 2023)

Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA

CG
California Gay Adventures
  • Email address verified
111 reviews
Oct 19 - 22, 2023
Group size: 2 - 150
CGA Camps: Anza Borrego California (Oct 2023)
Borrego Springs, CA 92004, USA

California Gay Adventures
  • Email address verified
111 reviews

Oct 19 - 22, 2023
Group size: 2 - 150

About this trip

Join us in ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK (Southern California)
for our BIG GROUP CAMPING ADVENTURE
& Gay Camping Friends Southwest Regional Meet-Up

Hosted by: California Gay Adventures


We have booked 4 group campsites in the Borrego Palms Campground which will fit up to 60 people and 22 vehicles in our sites. Carpooling will be required for campsite parking, however, there is a large overflow parking lot nearby.

Registration Is Required

PRICING:
$55 per person - Group Site Spot

$20 per person - Your Own Site or Hotel

Update 9/20: From Main Event page

Update from main event website at JoinCGA.com

REGISTER HERE
CLICK HERE FOR CARPOOLS
Gear/Meals List Coming Soon


Update 9/18: If you have not yet booked your spot for our Big Group Anza Borrego Camping trip Oct 19-22, grab your spot! We will be closing new registrations on Thursday, Oct 5th so we can finalize activities and group meals/needs. We currently have 45+ people registered with ~28 in our group sites and ~20 in private sites. We have room for 20+ more people in the group sites. Book Here: https://bit.ly/CGANZA 


Join us in ANZA BORREGO STATE PARK (Southern California)
for our BIG GROUP CAMPING ADVENTURE
& Gay Camping Friends Southwest Regional Meet-Up
Hosted by: California Gay Adventures


We have booked 4 group campsites in the Borrego Palms Campground which will fit up to 60 people and 22 vehicles in our sites. Carpooling will be required for campsite parking, however, there is a large overflow parking lot nearby. Please add your vehicle to our CARPOOL LIST if you can offer rides


CLICK HERE TO BOOK IN THE GROUP SITE:


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR OWN SITE:
Want your own campsite? You can book directly at the website link below. Click "Reservations" and then search for Borrego Palms Canyon Campground. There is also dispersed options nearby. Registration is still required for $20 per person to participate in group activities and it's nice to support the cause.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/#!park/2/327   


STAY AT A HOTEL:
The Palms at Indian Head is a short walk away
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort (1.3 miles away)
Registration is required for $20 per person to participate in group activities.
Please note that the campground does charge a daily parking fee if you want to drive in and join us.


GROUP MEALS:
As our customary fashion, we will plan group meals for this event with CGA supplying a group kitchen and plenty of propane for the weekend. We will send out our group meal plan and a sign-up sheet for members to bring items for our meals 2 weeks prior to the event. This is always a fun aspect of the trip and is completely optional.


Basic Itinerary: Subject to change


Thursday 10/19: Arrivals
3pm - Arrive at Camp & Set up Group Kitchen/Tents + Pride Decor
5pm - Welcome Gather in Site #1 - Introductions
5:30pm - Sunset Hike (Sunset is at 6:14pm)
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis(2.9 miles, 456 elevation gain)
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Brats, Brews & Campfire
You can also bring your own grub to cook - We will supply the stoves and propane as long as you clean up after yourself.

Friday 10/20: More Arrivals, Hikes & 4x4
9-9:30am - Group Breakfast - Breakfast Burritos
10:30am - Activities - Gather in Site #1

Morning Hikes:
Hosts: Rick Van Bruggen, TBD
Slot Canyon Experience
Two Options:
Option 1: The Slot (2.3 miles, 301 ft elevation)
Option 2: West Butte, Wind Caves, Slot Loop Trail (4.5 miles, 679 ft elevation)
Parking: Google Map (2wd OK)

BRING YOUR LUNCH

Afternoon 4x4 Run:
Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD)
Ocotillo Wells Exploration
We will start with the main group at The Slot for a hike through the slot canyon above and then jump in our vehicles and go check out Ocotillo Wells and witness the Pumpkin Patch and more. Article on the trails. High clearance 4x4 required. Check out our radio guide for more information about radios. We will also have a few radios that we can lend out. Passengers must request rides directly with drivers as we will not be placing people, due to insurance and other reasons.

7-7:30pm - Group Dinner - Pasta & Meatballs
Campfire Fun


Saturday 10/21: Scenic Drives, Hikes & 4x4
8:30-9am - Group Breakfast - Pancakes & Sausage
10:30am - Activities - Gather in Site #1

Hikes: (Leaders TBD)
Easier Access Hike Options Include:
Plum Canyon Trail- Hard (4.3 miles, 1269ft)
Lizard Canyon Trail - Moderate (2.8 miles, 498ft)
Nude Wash - Moderate (1.6 miles, 383ft)
Elephant Trees Trail - Moderate (1 mile, 72 ft)


Full Day 4x4 Run:
Leaders: Chris Kuwahara-Smith & TBD
I have run this trail a few times and I just love it. We will start at Fish Creek in Anza Borrego and run to Sandstone Canyon. If you are in a STOCK vehicle, this is where you may want to turn around and go do some hikes, otherwise high clearance 4x4 vehicles can follow us up Diablo Drop, which is a fun sandy hill that you need to be heavy on the throttle. Once on top of Diablo Drop, we will then run to explore a couple of spots, on the following trails Arroyo Seco Del Diablo and Arroyo Tapiado where we will experience a 1000-foot-long mud cave (optional, bring lights or headlamps). After we visit the mud caves, we will jump run a couple of washes to Highway S2 and make our 50-mile drive back to camp. (I will post a full GAIA GPS map of the trail closer to the event. Make sure you have a FULL TANK OF GAS prior to leaving!)

7-7:30pm - Group Dinner - Big Sloppy Burgers & all the Fixins
Campfire + Movie Night (Movie TBD)


Sunday 10/22: Check-Out
Since we will be putting away the group kitchen and breaking down camp on Sunday morning, breakfast is on your own or grab something on your way out of camp.
10-11am - Camp Check Out

Itinerary

Check out our itinerary below. We have hikes, 4x4 runs, group meals, and more planned for this long weekend of adventure. The itinerary is subject to change. 

Your Host: California Gay Adventures

California Gay Adventures* mission is to create a community of connection and adventure for our LGBTQIA+ members through social events, outdoor activities, education, and community action. We offer an inclusive safe space where community members can come together to collaborate and develop new friendships. We call this our #CGAFam!


JoinCGA.com

Group Meals

As our customary fashion, we will plan group meals for this event with CGA supplying a group kitchen and plenty of propane for the weekend. We will send out our group meal plan and sign-up sheet for members to bring items for our meals 2-3 weeks prior to the event.

This is always a fun aspect of the trip and is completely optional.

What’s included

  • Group Camp Spot
    Small to Medium Size Tents Please
  • Group Meals
    Members to sign up to bring items. Details will be sent closer to the event.
  • Organized Hikes
    Hikes are lead by volunteers. See event details
  • Organized 4x4 Trail Runs
    4x4 runs are lead by volunteers. See event details.

What’s not included

  • Private Sites
    You Must Self Book Private Sites
  • No RVs
    No RV's or Trailers in Group Sites
  • Meals
    Meals are not included. We ask everyone to contribute to meals. Details will be sent closer to the event.

Available Packages

Group Site #1

This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow. 

$55
Group Site #2

This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

$55
Group Site #3

This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

$55
Group Site #4

This books a spot for one person in this site. To make room for everyone please bring small to medium size tents. We have a total of 6 parking spots, so we need 2+ people per vehicle to get a parking spot. If you are driving solo, you will need to park in overflow.  

$55
Your Own Site or Hotel

This gives you access to group activities and is a donation to the cause. Thank you.

$20


Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday
Arrival & Check-In

 3pm - Arrive at Camp & Set up Group Kitchen/Tents + Pride Decor
5pm - Welcome Gather in Site #1 - Introductions
5:30pm - Sunset Hike (Sunset is at 6:14pm)
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis(2.9 miles, 456 elevation gain)
7:30pm - Group Dinner - Brats, Brews & Campfire
You can also bring your own grub to cook - We will supply the stoves and propane as long as you clean up after yourself. 

Your Organizer


CG
California Gay Adventures
111 reviews
California Gay Adventures is a group of LGBT friends & straight allies throughout California who enjoy getting together for exciting events and adventures. We are not a tour company. We are a group of adventurers exploring and experiencing this BIG state, country, and world together... sometimes roughing it and learning from our experiences. Join us on an adventure! Travel services are provided by a licensed and insured travel agency. Travel By CK, LLC. dba. ETC Contact: ck@etcvip.com.

Reviews

What a great time! Festive, fun and fluid - thank you!
By Randy M for CGA San Diego Adventure Weekend on Aug 20, 2024
CD
Fun times were had by all. Well-organized, albeit not exactly as planned due to unforeseeable circumstances.
By CRAIG D for CGA Whitewater Rafting The Kern River on Aug 13, 2024
Due to circumstances outside of anyone's control (a wildfire), our trip shifted from rafting to tubing the Kern River. Everyone made the best of it, and it turned out to be a ton of fun! Lots of great photos/videos, great memories, and great experiences were had. I only wish it were longer. Chris did an excellent job adapting to the changing circumstances and handling communication/coordination for the group.
By Jeffrey L for CGA Whitewater Rafting The Kern River on Aug 07, 2024
It was my first bowling with the group and I had lots of fun. Greg did a great job organizing the game.
By Alan C for CGA-LA/OC Socials: Big Gay Bowling - July Strikes! on Aug 02, 2024
What a nice, lazy, unpretentious afternoon. I’m glad I got to meet my fellow players in a more casual environment. Thanks to Everjohn for organizing!
By Bryan Z for (SOLD OUT) CGA Socials: Hollywood Hills Pool Party, 2024! on Jul 22, 2024
Show More Reviews

References

BW
In the fall last year I went on my first hike. It was a challenging hike. This was my first hike with GCA, and the guys were really friendly to me as a newcomer. This set the stage for me wanting to join in other CHA activities and events.
By Barry W on 18 Feb, 2023