overland

Anza Borrego Discovery Trail: Diablo Canyon to Broken Shaft Gulch Question

CAchief

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May 12, 2021
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San Luis Obispo, CA
Currently doing some research of the Anza Borrego Discovery Trail that I hope to run with the family this winter. I'm confident my vehicle can handle the route (2nd gen Xterra/~2.5" lift/sliders/skids) but I'm getting some conflicting information about a section called "Broken Shaft Gulch" immediately after Diablo Drop off. I've done off-camber decents and feel confident to handle the drop off section. However, Funtreks Book titled, "California Backroads and 4-wheel-Drive Trails" lists Broken Shaft Gulch (described in the Mud Caves Trail #86) immediately after Diablo Dropoff as "Difficult"; "This trail connects to Sandstone Canyon, Trail #83, via a hard-core route if Diable Dropoff is open..."

My other book, "Backcountry Adventures: Southern California" talks about Diablo Dropoff (Trail #31) but there is no mention of "Broken Shaft Gulch". Other forum posts may reflect this area is not nearly as difficult as it once was, and I'm wondering if the information I'm reading is just outdated.

Any feedback is appreciated!
 

OTG Ben

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So a couple of things. First, if you're using the GPX file to navigate the route, you'll want to start from the south and work your way north. There's a few different sections that while not enforced are technically one way-- some are marked and others are not. For example, the two drop offs including the Diablo Drop off are one ways. We had mistakenly done the route starting in the north, and for those of us without rear locking diffs, we had to come in with a full head of steam to make it up the hill climbs due to lots of sand and loose dirt/dust. The section that really mandates going from south to north is near Piepkorn Slot and Volcanic Hills. This has a nasty little hillcimb that's steep, full of giant holes, and loose. It took everyone numerous turns to get up, except for our buddy in his triple locked Rubicon.

If you stick to the route, the only thing that I'd qualify as mildly technical is the section through volcanic hills south of Piepkorn Slot. Just take it slow and you should be find. I did scuff up my wheels through that section, but probably because I wasn't precise enough in my line choices. Everything else along the route can be managed by a stock 4x4, even that section if you take it slow.
 

Michael

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After coming down Diablo Drop-off (yes, it is marked as a one-way down) and as you approach Fish Creek you will travel through a narrow canyon wash with a rocky trailbed. Some of the rocks can be large enough to need a spotter, but the canyon is usually of easy/moderate difficulty. The trick to Drive Shaft Canyon however is that it changes after every major storm. At times it will be easy, other times it will be harder, but I've never found it to be too difficult. For reference, I drive a 2006 Tacoma with a 2" lift.

Save some time to explore the Fish Creek area. Lots of interesting geological formations and some hikes that are worth the time.
 
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CAchief

Weekend Warrior
Joined
May 12, 2021
Messages
44
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
After coming down Diablo Drop-off (yes, it is marked as a one-way down) and as you approach Fish Creek you will travel through a narrow canyon wash with a rocky trailbed. Some of the rocks can be large enough to need a spotter, but the canyon is usually of easy/moderate difficulty. The trick to Drive Shaft Canyon however is that it changes after every major storm. At times it will be easy, other times it will be harder, but I've never found it to be too difficult. For reference, I drive a 2006 Tacoma with a 2" lift.

Save some time to explore the Fish Creek area. Lots of interesting geological formations and some hikes that are worth the time.
Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking the author of FunTreks likely drove the canyon when it was pretty rough.
 

OTG Ben

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We didn't have any sort of issues through that section earlier this year and I don't recall anything being remotely rocky/technical through there, but these trails can change from year to year. The most technical section was through volcanic hills, and that was really just due to some oddly placed boulders. I could see that particular stretch being a lot more difficult after a heavy rainfall year exposing more of the rocks.
 

CAchief

Weekend Warrior
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May 12, 2021
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San Luis Obispo, CA
I came across this recent video on YT of various overland vehicles attempting Diablo Dropoff and the trail after. Good illustration of the drop off and rocky section of trail that follows it. Timestamps are in description of video.

 
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