Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Archaeology Day: Field Trips

Join the Colorado Desert Archaeology Society on an Archaeology Day Field Trip on Saturday November 8 to Mine Wash or Sundy November 9 to Morteros Village & Pictograph Trail Combined Field Trip!

Mine Wash Field Trip: Guided Walk Through a Prehistoric Village

When: Saturday November 8, leaving the Visitor Center parking lot at 1:00 p.m.

Duration: 2-3 hours including travel time.

Cost: $10 per adult/ $5 per child under 12

Register: This field trip is full- please email jaime@theabf.org to be added to the wait list.

Meeting Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center Parking Lot 200 Palm Canyon Dr. Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Details: You will walk through an ancient Kumeyaay village that was inhabited for thousands of years. This village is considered to be a seasonal base camp primarily used in the winter months. Periods of peak habitation may be concurrent with inundations of Lake Cahuilla. In late winter and spring occupants would spread throughout the area for food gathering. You will see features associated with seasonal habitation, food gathering and food preparation. This site is rich in bedrock milling features as well as an excellent example of the mysterious pecked cupules. Limited to 20 participants.

Requirements: High clearance vehicle, carpooling may be organized. All participants must be prepared with suitable footwear to walk over rough ground, water and snacks.

Led by: John Downing and Laurie Publicover

Morteros Prehistoric Village & Pictograph Trail Combined Field Trip:

When: Sunday November 9, 8:00 a.m.

Duration: Approximately six hours including travel to and from the parking lot.

Cost: $20 per adult/ $10 per child under 12

Register: REGISTER HERE (All participants must register in advance.)

Meeting Location: Borrego Springs Public Library parking lot 2580 Country Club Rd Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Details: This field trip will begin in Borrego Springs at the county library. Participants may join the group at Blair Valley kiosk with special permission.

The group will travel from Borrego to Blair Valley and the Morteros site. We will take a short hike through this prehistoric seasonal village site. Then we will take a short drive to the Pictograph Trailhead parking area. After taking a break for lunch, we will hike on a well-defined trail less than one mile to the Pictograph Rock. Participants will then disperse from Blair Valley or return to the county library parking lot.

Morteros was a village used by the Kumeyaay Native American people in the past. We will see food preparation areas, an agave roasting pit and cupules, and identify various plants and how they were used.

Pictograph Trail: The exceptional Blair Valley pictographs are associated with the Kumeyaay and possibly the Luiseno People, who have lived in this region for thousands of years. View this notable native rock art site that features diamond chains, zigzag lines, sun rays, and other seemingly abstract patterns. Although no definitive dates can be established, these paintings, created using natural red pigments, are thought to be between 200 and 1000 years old.

Requirements: High clearance vehicle, carpooling may be organized. All participants must be prepared with suitable footwear to walk over rough ground, water, snacks and lunch.

Led by: John Downing and Brenda Wills

Field trips are rain or shine and no refunds for cancellations.