[Bloated Chipmunk]

With higher temps forecasted in the lowlands, MM & I opted for a peak perched at the high western edge of the vast A-B desert, San Ysidro Pk. We managed to have plenty of sunshine, minimal wind (for the most part!), yet still stay in the double digits. Embarking from S22 from just before it drops down into Culp Valley, we set off on foot along animal trails that eventually fizzled around the time we passed Chimney Rock. Meanwhile we had an awesome view eastward to the valley roasting in triple digits.

Parking area

The bushwhacking begins...

Hills ahead

Chimney Rock

Views open up to the desert floor

Nice valley view

Easy walking here

We skirted Pt. 5326' on its west side amid the sounds of gunfire from a nearby shooting range. For more reasons than one, going over the top or east side is preferable.

1st glimpse of The Thimble & San Ysidro

I see you!

The Thimble, San Ysidro Mtn.

Getting higher...

We continued to skirt the boundary of A-B, dropping down into a little valley east of The Thimble, a noteworthy hunk of rock just south of San Ysidro.

Flat grassy area between The Thimble & Pt. 5326'

The Thimble

For Scrooge...;-)

Getting a little brushier

Looking back on Pt. 5326'

After passing by The Thimble, we turned northwesterly toward San Ysidro, popping over a narrow gap in the rocks & making some interesting maneuvers in order to reach the saddle just before the final summit climb.

The summit? Nope.

1 label

The final climb

South summit rocks

Survey markers & a summit register were placed @ the south summit, despite the appearance of a higher summit to the north. The views were outstanding nevertheless.

Survey marker....even though a point to the north looked a bit higher...

Views from the top

The Thimble & the valley beyond

View east to the A-B valley

Hmmm...looks higher

5 labels

Pt. 5326', The Thimble, & beyond

Mmmm, lots of mtns.

MM takes in the view

My shadow

Makeshift gaiters

We checked out a couple points on the ridge to the north, but alas what seemed to be the true summit was just out of reach, that is, for those of us who don't carry ropes.

Thinking about trying to get up what appeared to be the true summit (north)

Big stretch! Maybe not.

...So we made our way over to the middle summit...

Mini gully @ the middle summit

Yep, I think that was higher

Then back to the south summit & gave thought to our alternative route down as the way up was a little, well, roundabout. We saw a much more direct line back down, making us wonder why the info we had told us to go the other way up & around various humps & ridges.

4 labels

We'll go this way

Not this way

Heading down

We dropped down off the summit toward Cherry Canyon, picking up a trail for awhile only to have it disappear yet again. Once in the valley we enjoyed a view back toward San Ysidro & The Thimble, which didn't look quite as impressive from this side.

The Thimble as viewed from the west

Nice lil' valley w/big rocks

Last sun on Ysidro

The Thimble w/a touch of light, San Ysidro behind

2 labels

Our plan is to pop over that saddle & hope we don't wind up on someone's private property ;-)

We heard music in the distance to the west, seemingly to be just on the other side of a little hill. We never did see anyone over there & had to assume a house was tucked far up into the edge of the hills. Eventually we came upon a mysterious brick structure in disrepair.

WTF?

Mysterious...

We made our way over to a dirt rd. that led us back to S22, & then just had a short walk to the east to complete the loop to the car.

[MountainMan]

It seems we took the harder, but more scenic way to San Ysidro!

TH

San Ysidro in the distance.

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock

San Ysidro and Thimble on left.

Nice yellow flower.

Carved rock

BC between two big rocks.

The Thimble (left) and San Ysidro (middle).

Just below point 5326.

Getting closer

Looking back at Pt 5326.

Heading up

BC in the rocks.

BC on top!

BC with the Thimble and Pt. 5326 behind.

Us on top.

Looking NW (north summit on right).

View south.

View NE with Borrego Springs below.

Borrego Springs.

The Thimble (right). Point 5326 (left).

Granite Mtn.

Whale Peak

North summit - close, but no Nixon pose.

Looking south from north end of S.Y.

Reaching middle summit.

North summit from middle summit.

View west.

South summit from middle.

Middle summit and fun rocks we climbed over.

Exit plan: Head down that wash, over the saddle to the road and out to the highway.

Looking back at San Ysidro and the Thimble.