Rosa Point
Peak Name
Elevation
feet
Status
Region
Range
Nearby peaks
Location
Description
Rosa Point is a demanding and thrilling hike to a wind-swept peak in the Santa Rosa Mountains that it is named for. The spectacular summit views of the sweeping Anza Borrego Desert below, nearby Rabbit and Villager peaks, and the Salton Sea behind are your reward for this challenging outing. Rosa Point is both a HPS and a DPS peak.
Route 1 climbs along Palo Verde Canyon then continues on steep, sometimes narrow, ridges to the peak. Route 2 winds its way up beautiful Smoke Tree Wash, past its wonderful slot canyon and rock scrambles, then climbs past Pyramid Peak to the summit ridge.
Maps generated from CalTopo.com, reproduced with permission
Downloadable Maps, Files, and Guides
Driving route
Drive east on I-10 to the 86S expressway in Indio.
Drive south toward El Centro on SR 86S Expressway for about 35.5 miles to Salton City.
Turn west on the Borrego-Salton Seaway (S22).
Continue 14.8 miles to a parking area on the right (just past the 32 mile marker) and a dirt road on the left (south). Park in this area on either side of the road. The road on the south of S22 is signed “Thimble Trail”. There is a good car camping spot on the south side of the highway.
It is also possible to reach the trailhead by driving east on S22 from Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs for about 13.1 miles.
Hiking route
From the parking area (960′), hike northeast toward the rounded hill visible just west of the mouth of Palo Verde Canyon.
Ascend the hill on a use trail and cross a shallow saddle (still heading northeast).
Then go generally north up the ridge to a flat area at 3520′. From here, 3 peaks can be seen on the north skyline; the left (west) peak has several bands of white rock below its summit. The right (east) peak is Rosa Point.
From the flat area at 3520′, head northeast on a faint trail down to cross Palo Verde Canyon at 3240′.
Then climb east up a ridge and follow a faint trail on the north side of elevation 3800’+ to get into the saddle (3600’+) on the prominent ridge going north from elevation 3800′.
Ascend this ridge north to the summit of Rosa, which has a great view of the Salton Sea.
Alternate route: It is possible (even scenic) to hike northeast up Palo Verde Canyon, leaving the canyon to the left (west) up a cholla-infested hillside at about 1850′ (the canyon takes a bend from north to northwest here), attaining the ridge at the 2200′ contour).
Notes: When returning, do not descend Palo Verde Canyon (above 2200′) or Rattlesnake Canyon. Stay on the ridge you ascended and watch for “jumping cholla.”
Driving route
Drive east on I-10 to the 86S expressway in Indio.
Drive south toward El Centro on SR 86S Expressway for about 35.5 miles to Salton City.
Turn west on the Borrego-Salton Seaway (S22).
Continue 14.8 miles to a parking area on the right (just past the 32 mile marker) and a dirt road on the left (south). Park in this area on either side of the road. The road on the south of S22 is signed “Thimble Trail”. There is a good car camping spot on the south side of the highway
It is also possible to reach the trailhead by driving east on S22 from Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs for about 13.1 miles.
Hiking route
From the summit of Villager Peak, descend the south ridge to the 4900′ contour.
Hike cross-country east to a saddle at the head of Rattlesnake Canyon.
Continue east on a use trail to a summit known as Mile High Peak.
Follow the undulating ridge southeast to Rosa Point.
Route Notes
Note: A loop trip via Village Route 1 and Rosa Routes 2 and 1 is 17 miles with 7300′ of elevation gain and takes about 13 to 15 hours. It may be easiest to do in reverse because the ridge of Villager is an easier descent, especially after dark.
Driving route
Drive east on I-10 to the 86S expressway in Indio.
Drive south toward El Centro on SR 86S Expressway for about 35.5 miles to Salton City.
Turn west on the Borrego-Salton Seaway (S22).
Continue 12.1 miles to a miles to a parking area on the left side of the road just past Call Box 346.
It is also possible to reach the trailhead by driving east on S22 from Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs for about 15.8 miles.
Hiking route
Enter Smoke Tree Canyon from a wash just east of the Call Box 346. The canyon splits. One canyon heads east toward the Natural Rock Tanks and the other heads north-northwest.
Hike up dry wash and north-north west canyon past a dry waterfall to an open area (approximately 3.1 miles).
Leave the wash and hike up a faint use trail to elevation 2260′ and turn left on another use trail following the contours north.
At elevation 2960′ the trail contours in north-northwest direction to a saddle at 3140′ just west of “Pyramid Peak”. “Pyramid Peak” (3480’+, not named on topo, but has a register can) can be hiked form this location.
Hike northwest and over / down several bumps until you intersect Route 1 at the saddle (3600’+).
Continue on Route 1 for about a mile to the summit.
External Links
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External Links
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Nearest ranger station
NOAA Forecast
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