Spring Equinox Campout March 25th-27th 2023

The Spring Equinox campout is part of our quarterly campout series that will coincide with the seasons, particularly the solstices and equinoxes. Each campout will be in a different location and somewhere along or close to the Stagecoach 400 route.  

For this years Spring Equinox Campout we are planning to drive back out to Anza Borrego desert to explore some new areas while the weather is still mild. The plan is to drive out to Blair Valley Campground Saturday night (25th) ride all day Sunday and finish back at Blair Valley where we'll spend a second night (26th) and celebrate another wonderful weekend riding our local desert. 

The Campground: Blair Valley Campground
Amenities:
-Primitive camping (Free)
-Pit toilets (only at the entrance)
-No Water
-No fire pits (fires are allowed in metal containers)
-No assigned campsites

***We have AT&T and cell service is pretty good in the Campground***

This is a primitive, first come first serve campground with very limited amenities and NO WATER. You must plan to bring everything you need with you. We are planning to drive out Saturday the 25th after we close up the bike shop, so probably around 4pm if anyone wants to caravan.  However the official campout night is Sunday the 26th. Since there are no campsites we are planning to stay on the west side of camp (see map below). It's not as popular and gives you a great view of Blair Valley and gets sun earlier in the morning, which can help after a cold night.

Directions to the campground: Click Here

The Route:
We want to try and roll out around 9am on Sunday morning. The drive out there is about two hours so you're welcome to come out Saturday night and make it a two nighter with us. We are leaving from the shop on Saturday after close and hoping to get to camp around 7pm. If you want to head out there earlier and stake a claim in the area circled above please let us know, we'd love to coordinate.

This is a truly beautiful route through the desert washes and temperatures can definitely vary between very cold and pretty warm so make sure you have lights and layers if you get caught out there after dark. This is a 100% self-supported ride, you must have your own tools, tubes, food, water, etc... Be sure you and your bike are up to the task. This is a party pace, no drop ride, however it is your responsibility to keep up with the group's pace. Don't let the milage/elevation fool you, desert riding can be very slow and very taxing and we require at least 2.5" tubeless tires. This Spring Equinox Campout we are offering a few riding options so there is something for everyone. 

Sundays Routes:

Spring Equinox Campout 2023 Party Loop - Ride Leader: Chuck, Perfect for beginners and party winners

***We will also do this loop again Monday morning to stretch the legs and checkout the Pictographs and hike up Ghost Mountain to the Marshal South Homestead***

Spring Equinox Campout 2023 Intermediate - Ride Leader: Andrea, we're starting with a Party Loop lap then heading up Pinyon Mountain, which will be an out and back.

Spring Equinox Campout 2023 Advanced - Ride Leader: Jesse Salisbury has a doozy planned for all you tough desert riders, you'll be climbing Pinyon Mountain, dropping down to Diablo Drop off and climbing back up to complete the loop down Vallecito Creek wash.   

Food and Beverage:
WATER: There is no water at the campground, so plan on about 1-3 gallons a day per person. We will not be providing full meals, but will have a limited amount of food and beverages to share with the camp and we invite you to bring some of your camp favorites to share as well! Reminder: there are no tables or fire pits or grills so you need to bring everything you need. If you do forget something there is a the StageCoach General Store a few miles north on the S2, but supplies are probably limited.

Shuttling Gear and Carpooling:
Since this is a drive to camp and ride we aren't offering gear shuttling. If you are looking to carpool please let us know if you have room in your car or if you need a ride. Most of you know each other but we can try to help link people up.

***There is a signup sheet in the shop or call and let us know you're coming**