Straight out of Dos Cabezas

We had a three day weekend with no set in stone plans. Currently in between two big trips, we had been getting errands done and realized that we still wanted to have some sort of adventure for the weekend. We live only about an hour away from the Anza Borrego State Park, and I brought it up that we ought to go out for at least a one nighter. It didn’t take my husband even two seconds to agree, and he was already discussing which area he thought we should camp in.

I’ve been camping several times with Matt to Anza Borrego, and he figured that we should camp in a new area that I have yet to explore with him, Dos Cabezas. I was game for wherever he wanted to check out as long as I could soak up some sun, and set up our camping stuff.

We headed out about 3 hours until sun down and drove into the desert for what seemed like quite awhile. The first thing I noticed was that there was not as many floral blooms as there had been in the years before. The desert was barren (surprising), except for the gradually increasing jumping chollas that seemed to be taking over the landscape the further we drove.

As we entered the Dos Cabezas area, noticeable rock formations started to pop up and fill in the empty space of the desert. There were so many cool locations, but unfortanetly with bringing along a dog we didn’t want one that had too much cactus in the immeadiate vicinity. That proved to be difficult, as the landscape was choked with jumping chollas and barely enough room to park the truck let alone set up camp.

Continuing down dirt roads, we passed signs talking about leaving ancient artifacts on site, and to be aware that we were in mountain lion country. Maybe those two things alone should of been our signs to not camp in the vicinity, but we weren’t thinking that complexly yet…..

About an hour till sunset we came across an area that the vegetation was a little more sparse and decided it would work for the evening. Camp was a quick set up , and after it was to our liking we decided to walk around an explore the area a bit. The wind began to pick up as the sun was setting, and we hunkered down into camp a lot faster than usual. Dinner was brats and left over lunch over a fire that was being temperamental at best. I bundled in a large blanket as the wind whipped my hair across my face, trying my all to not retreat to the tent so early into the evening. We both tried to make the most of our campsite, and same with the dog until something caught his attention.

Hunched over and growling a growl that we had yet to ever hear, our dog had his eyes locked to somewhere out into the dark. I told Matt to turn on his headlamp, as we could only see a couple of feet past the fire pit. There was nothing that we could see, but our dog was unrelenting. Something was just beyond camp, and was not our friend.

I decided then was a good time to throw our sleeping bags into the truck incase it was a mountain lion, and get the dog in there as well. Matt hurried to get the chairs broken down so they wouldn’t fly away and to put some heavier items in the tent so we did not lose it either. I had just climbed into the truck as Matt put out the fire and I could hear something outside of the truck. I tried to not think about it, because it sounded crazy in my head. As Matt opened the door he stopped and looked at me, as if he was hearing the same thing too. I asked him then if he could hear what sounded like music as well. This was not like music you’d hear being carried on the wind from another campsite, but like old wind instruments such as a flute. I don’t quite have the correct words to describe what was that we heard, but that is as close as it currently gets.

Then without much talking we tore down all of camp and decided to just relocate. Not knowing if it was animal, human, or something else beyond our camp, it was better to go with out gut feelings and get out of dodge. Thankfully I had my dad on the phone almost the entire time, incase we did run into trouble someone knew the circumstances and had a rough idea of our location. Within 10 minutes the truck was loaded (half hazzordly) and we were rolling down the road away from the site. Feeling a little spooked and a little unwelcome.

After driving for awhile we ended up in Arroyo Tapiado, at the mouth of the mud caves. It seemed a lot better area than our previous location and decided to call it good. As soon as we got out of the truck to unload, the air itself felt better…more welcoming.

We still have no idea what was bordering our campsite that night but I did find a few different stories on others having odd experiences in the Doz Cabezas area while camping as well :

Footprints have faded, but spirit remains at Indian Hill

Ghost Stories of Anza Borrego

A Night On Ghost Mountain