Best route from Escondido to Borrego Springs
We are heading to Borrego Springs from Escondido CA with a 43 ft 5th wheel next month and have heard there are some pretty hairy routes going in to Borrego. Any suggestions for the safest route to ge...
Forum Discussion
Picking a route into Borrego Springs requires some careful consideration of what is likely to be encountered.
Sloop Smitten's route is the best route possible coming in from the west. I'd only comment that once you turn onto 78 from S2 the road becomes narrow and winding in a deep canyon. That might be somewhat intimidating for anybody not used to those conditions. And also. Along that stretch of 78 absolutely don't take the S-3 Yaqui Pass Road to the left up the mountain. Be sure to continue on east as Sloop Smitten's instructions detail for the full 15.4 miles to Borrego Springs Road.
The Yahoo Maps route that I got as recommended by Garry&Gayle had what to me is two problem areas. For one, Yahoo Maps recommended taking 78 from Escondido up into Ramona. The grade up into Ramona is a real tough long climb. I would not recommend it for anybody not knowing what they are getting into. And then at the other end Yahoo Maps had the route taking S22 through Ranchita and down the Montezuma Grade into Borrego Springs. While I personally love the Montezuma Grade and use it all the time - - for anybody wanting to avoid long downhill grades it must be noted.
Now for the 190 mile route I tossed out going all the way around through Palm Springs and Indio, it involves some traffic on route 60 over to Beaumont and then some pretty heavy truck traffic along I-10. Once onto 89 south at Indio the route becomes wide and lightly traveled. While Borrego Springs is a great place here in Southern California getting there can be a problem.
When you are in Borrego Springs, take your truck up the Montezuma Grade for a test ride. It's really not that bad a road and maybe you'd want to go home that way. You pretty much have your choices at this point. Good traveling.
Sloop Smitten's route is the best route possible coming in from the west. I'd only comment that once you turn onto 78 from S2 the road becomes narrow and winding in a deep canyon. That might be somewhat intimidating for anybody not used to those conditions. And also. Along that stretch of 78 absolutely don't take the S-3 Yaqui Pass Road to the left up the mountain. Be sure to continue on east as Sloop Smitten's instructions detail for the full 15.4 miles to Borrego Springs Road.
The Yahoo Maps route that I got as recommended by Garry&Gayle had what to me is two problem areas. For one, Yahoo Maps recommended taking 78 from Escondido up into Ramona. The grade up into Ramona is a real tough long climb. I would not recommend it for anybody not knowing what they are getting into. And then at the other end Yahoo Maps had the route taking S22 through Ranchita and down the Montezuma Grade into Borrego Springs. While I personally love the Montezuma Grade and use it all the time - - for anybody wanting to avoid long downhill grades it must be noted.
Now for the 190 mile route I tossed out going all the way around through Palm Springs and Indio, it involves some traffic on route 60 over to Beaumont and then some pretty heavy truck traffic along I-10. Once onto 89 south at Indio the route becomes wide and lightly traveled. While Borrego Springs is a great place here in Southern California getting there can be a problem.
When you are in Borrego Springs, take your truck up the Montezuma Grade for a test ride. It's really not that bad a road and maybe you'd want to go home that way. You pretty much have your choices at this point. Good traveling.
