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Taking advantage of the cooler weather before it starts to heat up in our local deserts I decided to head out to Anza Borrego and check out one its many slot canyons. The “Sheep Tanks” are Tinajas ( a term meaning “surface pockets” or “depressions”, formed in bedrock that tend to form below waterfalls, are carved out by spring flow or seepage, or are caused by sand and gravel scouring in intermittent streams. Tinajas are an important source of surface water storage in arid environments, the local Big Horn Sheep use these for water and you can find their bones at the bottom of this slot canyon. These “Sheep Tanks” are located at the bottom of a deep and narrow slot canyon in the Calcite Mine region of Anza Borrego.

Check out this hike:

Slot canyons are narrower than they are deep, often to an extreme degree. Formed by flowing water eroding rock in a tight seam over millions of years, some canyons feature dramatic sculpturing of the nearly vertical cliffs. This reminded me a lot of Annie's Canyon, which is a coastal slot canyon in Solana Beach.

Annie’s Canyon trail is a San Diego County coastal favorite. Not only is it one of San Diego’s best kept secrets, but it’s also a super cool slot canyon! Nestled within the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, it was once a run down canyon inhabited by transients, plagued with illicit drug use and vandalism. As the story goes, local residents and a very generous donation from a person named “Annie” had the area cleaned up and revitalized.

The N. Rios Avenue trailhead now provides a fabulous family friendly scenic 1.5 mile hike. It’s rapidly gaining notoriety for its Instagram worthy sandstone canyon photo opportunities. If you want a longer hike (about 8 miles), begin on the other side of the San Elijo Reserve at the La Orilla trailhead. For the full video scroll all the way to the bottom.

N. Rios Avenue Trailhead location

Located in Solana Beach, head west on Lomas Sante Fe from the 5 freeway and hang a right on N. Rios Avenue. Head down this sleepy residential street boasting with “drive like your kids live here” signs. As you approach the cul-de-sac, look for street parking. It’s open from sunrise to sunset however best to come early if you want to beat the crowds and the heat.

San Diego; So Cal Events! The Great Outdoors; Uncategorized; annies-canyon-slots. March 14, 2020 / We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this. Its called THE SLOT for the most obvious reason- it can be as narrow as putting a coin in slot machine but definitely worth the hype. At present, its easy to find the trail head in google maps. “slot canyon trail” Navigating inside the slot is easy to moderate. As the trail has become instantly popular with San Diego hikers, it appears this will be an effective tactic. The Annie’s Canyon Trail is located about halfway between the N. Rios Avenue trailhead and the Solana Hills Drive trailhead in the southwest region of the Reserve. The slot canyon in Anza Borrego is one of those hikes that you never realized you had right in California. The slot is a beautiful natural formation nestled in the heart of Anza Borrego State Park, about an hour and a half east of San Diego. The park has no fees to enter and hundreds of miles to explore and off-road through.

Trail Details

The trail starts with a few wide flat steps down into the Reserve. During the many trips we have made, we have never seen a stroller. This is likely due to the periodic steps coupled with the narrow trails. The trails are toddler friendly and babies are usually worn in pouches or hiking packs. Today, my 7 year old, 4 year old and 4 month old (in a front wearing pouch) made the hike. Leashed dogs are welcome but leave Fido at home if you plan to hike the difficult (sandstone slot canyon) side of Annie’s Canyon. No dogs allowed in this part since it’s one way, very narrow, has 2 challenging step ups (about 3′ high) and ends with a steep ladder.

As you stroll along under the tree canopy, it’s chilly. However, the air warms once the path flattens out as it drops down into the reserve (wear a hat, it gets sunny). When you reach the green Annie’s Canyon sign (pictured below), you can continue on (to the right) or hang a left to stroll along the salt marsh/wetland. The path along the marsh does eventually circle back up to the main pathway.

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The Salt Marsh

The pathway parallels the marsh/wetlands and kids will likely see ducks, fish, lizards and possibly some fun animal footprints (we saw raccoon prints today). This wetland is filled with over a thousand species of plants and animals. After passing the salt marsh/wetland, the path will take you back up to the main trail. If you want to continue on to Annie’s Canyon, hang a left. Continue on until you get to a large open area (with a dead palm tree) and follow the path up to your right. At this point you will see the brown Annie’s Canyon sign (pictured below), then you will reach another green trail sign (also pictured below).

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Annie’s Canyon Trail

The “difficult” trail through the sandstone canyon is one-way, gets narrow and a bit cramped, which means… no going backwards! This is especially tricky during crowded times if you missed a photo opportunity or if you dropped something (like I have done). Also, if you know you’ll be slow, best to let others pass in the beginning (before getting too far into it).

As the path winds through the sandstone slot canyon, there are 2 challenging parts where you have to step up about 3 feet. Toddlers will need a boost up and adults with babies in carriers may need a hand since there is very little to grab onto (the sandstone walls are smooth here). This is also the case when you get to the steep ladder towards the end. (the Annie’s Canyon trail starts at about 2:45 in the video below).

After climbing the ladder you have reached the top! Many more amazing views across the wetland and to the ocean. To get down, there are some wide steps and slightly steep switchbacks. Eventually, bringing you back to the original path.

It’s a wonderful outdoor family friendly coastal activity. A family favorite activity for us!

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For more information about Annie’s Canyon, visit the Nature Collective.

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If you are local to California and are looking for an incredible ski vacation with the kids check out How to Ski Mammoth With Kids.