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A decent overview map of the Algodones Dunes and eastern Imperial Valley, published by AAA, is available for no charge at the BLM’s El Centro Office, 1661 So. 4th Street, El Centro, CA 92243. 760-337-4400. Topo maps are available but generally unnecessary (unless you really want to hone your contour-reading skills).
North Algodones Dunes Wilderness
You can access this wilderness from Highway 78 (park your car at the Cahuilla Ranger Station, just south of the Highway on Gecko Road) or from anywhere along a 14-mile stretch of Ted Kipf Road.
Large Central Vehicle Closure
We used an elaborate car shuttle from Holtville, involving volunteer drivers who didn’t hike with us, in order to avoid leaving vehicles near the dunes. We began hiking from the New Coachella Canal access road (four-wheel-drive required) south of 78, at a point a couple of miles south of the first bridge over the canal. The straight-line distance from this point to the “Cactus” siding is around 11 miles. From the bridge (a convenient place to turn vehicles around), the distance is around 15 miles. If you are using a GPS unit for navigation, the coordinates for the Cactus siding (in degrees and minutes) are: N 32 51.801; W 114 53.891.
To reach the Cactus siding by vehicle, turn northwest off of Ogilby Road onto Wash Road, which parallels the train tracks on the west side. Follow this well graded dirt road about four miles to the silver switch boxes marked “Cactus.”
The Center for Biological Diversity will lead another crossing of the central closure on April 6-7. To find out more, call Daniel Patterson at 909.659.6053 x 306.
IMPORTANT: If you’re planning to hike after November, 2002, check with the BLM to make sure these vehicle closures are still in effect. Call 760-337-4400.
To help make sure these protections for plants and hikers become permanent, click here.
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