Anza Borrego, Montezuma Valley Road (S22)

Contributer: Rainier Wolfcastle (12-24-2006)
Distance: 59.2 mi.

This is a nice ride that takes your from the moutains in Julian down to the desert floor. You can really feel the temperature rise as you are going down Banner Road. It's at least 15 degress warmer in the desert. The run down Banner Road is nice and twisty. The road is not very narrow but be sure to stay in your lane...one time down, there was nothing but RV's making their way up. It's kinda freaky when you can reach out and touch a passing bus.

After you hit the desert, it's a pretty straight shot to Anza Borrego. The first intersection is with the S2 and called "Scissors Crossing". There's a small turnout with a marker for something about an old Stagecoach stop. South on S2 takes you to the I8. You can go north on S2 (aka. San Felipe Rd) for a shorter loop back to Santa Ysabel/Ramona.

After passing Scissors Crossing veer left onto Yaqui Pass Rd (S3). There are some nice sweepers and rollers on Yaqui Pass, enough speed with a timely blip of the throttle should easily get your front end off the ground.

Anza Borrego is a good place to stop, get some food and defrost (if it's winter). After passing through Anza Borrego, head east on Montezuma Valley Road (S22) for more fun.

Montezuma Valley Rd. twists and rises it way back to just south of the intersection of S2 and Hwy 79. About 3/4 of the way up there is a nice turn out with great views of the Salton Sea. Often folks do laps between here and the desert floor to practice that perfect line. Heading North on Hwy 79 will take you to Warner Springs towards Idyllwild and Palm Desert. Heading south will take you back towards Santa Ysabel and Ramona.

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