The Great Outdoors Palm Springs (GOPS) and Los Angeles (GOLA) Chapters have joined forces and cordially invite you to join them for an amazing weekend celebrating the arrival of the new year. This event will span 4 nights and 5 days which explains the higher cost of this event!
Agua Caliente County Park is located in a remote part of Anza Borrego Desert State Park with dark skies for stargazing and local trails for hiking. About 35-40 min. away is the amazing slot canyon with areas only passable by one person at a time. A little farther down the road is the Erosion Road tour, a 21 mile one way paved road that goes through some remarkable geological features. Closer to camp is Mountain Palm Oasis which offers a short hike to a small valley filled with towering palms and a seasonal stream with great view of the valley below.
Where else can you spend the day hiking through slot canyons, explore palm grove oasis high on the mountainside, marvel at the beautiful scenery AND return to camp and relax in 3 geothermal heated mineral pools? The indoor pool with all glass walls and ceiling is heated to 102 degrees and is reserved for (a) adults only from 9:30 - 10:30 AM; (b) adults & kids from 10:30 AM - 5 PM; (c) adults only from 6-9 PM. The 2 outdoor pools are open to all ages. Imagine yourself relaxing those tired bones after a long day of exploring or just stay in camp and enjoy the pools during the day.
We will have a Funky Formal-Formal Dinner provided by Great Outdoors on New Year's Eve. We invite you to wear you own version of funky formal, be it a tux with tails, fancy dinner jacket, pajamas & a black tie (?), maybe your favorite crazy hat & a bath robe? It’s your call. Just have some fun with it. We’ll provide all the fixings and fancy dinnerware.
We have reserved both RV and tent sites at the Agua Caliente County Park located in the amazing landscapes of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Pricing is based upon the site configuration you pick. The park is best known for its geothermal heated springs and rugged desert hiking. Three naturally fed pools provide different ways of enjoying the park's mineral water.
RV's and tents may share sites - maximum of one RV and one tent on each site. When reserving an RV site, please select the smallest RV site which will accommodate your RV's length. RV sites come with water, electricity, picnic table and a fire ring. A dump station is located within the park. Some sites may not be completely level - we suggest bringing leveling blocks. Depending upon the RV site, tow vehicles may have to park in a nearby site. These are sites with mature vegetation surrounding the sites. We will have a propane fire-pit for the group as open fires may be restricted in the camp to a designated area only.
Note: All RV sites were sold on 10/24/2018. You may place yourself on an RV waitlist. We will contact you if a site opens up. If your RV will fit in that space, we'll make the arrangements.
Amenities at Agua Caliente include the soothing geothermal pools, coin operated showers, flush toilets, potable water, shuffleboard and horseshoes, and a sun deck outside the pools for lounging. There is a small souvenir store nearby with very limited groceries and ice.
Scheduled/Planned Activities Events
Friday - 12/28/2018
· 2 PM - Check In no earlier than 2 PM
· PM - Dinner on your own
· 8 PM - Meet & Greet - Gather around the campfire & enjoy s’mores
Saturday - 12/29/2018
· 7 AM - Morning coffee provided along with breakfast muffins
· 9 AM - TBD (pack your own lunch) *
· 6 PM - Potluck Dinner - Bring a salad, side and/or main dish. GO will provide the dessert.
· PM - Gather around the campfire.
Sunday - 12/30/2018
· 7 AM - Morning coffee provided along with breakfast muffins
· 9 AM - TBD (pack your own lunch) *
· PM - Dinner on your own
· PM - Gather around the campfire, go for a soak or both!
Monday - 12/31/2018 (NYE)
· 7 AM - Morning coffee provided along with breakfast muffins
· 9 AM - TBD (pack your own lunch) *
6 PM - NYE Funky Formal Dinner - Wes & Steve will personally prepare your choice of three (3) homemade hearty soups: chicken, Turkish lentil (veggie) or mushroom. You’ll have your choice of a variety of fresh breads to accompany your soup. Several desserts will complete this hosted dinner.
· We’ll provide all the fixings and fancy dinnerware.
Bring your favorite bottle of beverage to share and bring in the near year. Note: alcoholic content in excess of 20% by volume is not permitted in SD County Parks.
9 PM, 10 PM, 11 PM & Midnight - We’ll gather around to celebrate 2019 in different time zones
Tuesday - 1/1/2019 - Happy New Year
· 7 AM - Morning coffee provided along with breakfast muffins
· 12 Noon - Clean up campground areas. Check Out. Safe travels home.
* Check whiteboard at camp for details and updates for these possible adventures:
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Possible Activities
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Miles
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Elevation
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Misc Notes
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Shopping in nearby Julian
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33
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Think Everything Apples!
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Moonlight Canyon hike
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1.8
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350
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Mountain Palm Oasis hike
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3
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600
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Torote Canyon loop hike
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6.5
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1,500'
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Cold Canyon hike
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3.0
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650'
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Ghost Mountain hike
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2.0
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500'
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Historic site
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Mud Caves, Sin Nombre canyon and badlands
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Off road 4x4 adventure
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Domeland and Wind caves hike
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5.0
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1,000'
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Indian Hill and old RR camp
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6.5
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600'
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Carrizo Trestle / Goat Canyon
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11.0
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1,000'
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Historic curved train trestle
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Redman mine
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3.8
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1,000'
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Erosion Road tour
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21.0
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Soak in the park's thermal hot pools
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Getting There:
· Address: 39555 Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849, Julian, CA 92036
· GPS Coordinates: 32°57'02.1"N 116°18'16.4"W or 32.950581, -116.304558
· Google - Map Link: click here
· Be sure to carpool if you can and fill your gas tank before heading to camp because the nearest gas is in Borrego Springs (30 miles) or Julian (33 miles).
Registration for this event is restricted to Great Outdoors Members Only. Prices are based upon you being a paid member in one of our five (5) Chapters. To join and purchase a GOPS membership: click here. Members from other GO Chapters should contact our GOPS Webmaster (click here to email) to be added to our Chapter's website to enable registration for this event. Each person going must complete a separate registration.
If you are not currently a member of one of our 5 Chapters, you’ll need to register with the Chapter of your choice first and then register on the GOPS website for this trip.
Payments - Although a PayPal screen will appear requesting payment via PayPal, you can scroll down on that screen and pay with a credit card without needing a PayPal account.
Refunds - Cancellation for a refund (less $25) must be received by 10/27/2018 via email to - click here. After that date, a full refund will only be issued if we resell your spot.
What to Bring - Ten Essentials, camping/cooking gear, food, warm/cool weather clothing, shorts for kayaking, potluck item for Saturday night, two bundles of firewood - no particle board, old furniture, plywood or construction materials. These cause the release of toxic gases when burned. Firewood for sale at the campground. Firewood is available at the store just outside the park for $7 per bundle.
If you're opting for one of the electrified tent campsites you should bring an extension cord and an electric blanket. Bring layers for both cold and warm weather, since it can be unpredictable in the desert this time of year. Check the weather forecast (click here) and plan accordingly.
*** Don't forget your towel, swim suit and water shoes. ***
Climate & Elevation - The current forecast avg. is 67 high 42 low. Check the weather forecast - click here. The park is located at 1300’.
Pets - Pets are permitted if they are properly restrained and under the control of the owner. Dogs must be licensed, restrained on a leash not longer than six feet, and attended at all times. Dogs are not allowed in cabins or on trails.
Quiet Hours - 10 PM - 7 AM
Smoking - is not allowed in San Diego County Parks.
Cell Service - not in the park but may available nearby.
Photos - To see some photos from this park - click here.
Children - There may be children present and require a minor's liability waiver - click here. Please bring the completed form with you if you bring a minor.
Pets - Pets are permitted if they are properly restrained and under the control of the owner. Dogs must be licensed, restrained on a leash not longer than six feet, and attended at all times. Dogs are not allowed in cabins or on trails.
Contact - If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of your NYE trip leaders:
· Ed or Pete Emond-Worline via email @ PeteAndEd@gmail.com or (760)902-1850
· Steve or Wes via email @ fwsj69@gmail.com
· Scott Connelly via email @ VPO-PS@GreatOutdoors.org
Health Problems/allergies - It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with a trip leader if you wish.
