Calcite Mine Slot Canyon

Hidden away, below the Truckhaven Rocks in eastern Anza-Borrego, is a geological feature that is fun for visitors of all ages. This narrow slot canyon is unlike most other slot canyons because it is easy to get to and easy to hike.

While you’re in this area, we suggest that you also take the nearby Calcite Mine Road Trip. You’ll need 4WD for that trip but, if you’ve got it, it’s worth the short drive up to the mine. You can easily spend an entire day doing these two activities.

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The beginning of the hike to the slot canyon

Walking into the beginning of the narrows

A boulder almost blocks the slot canyon’s entrance

Inside the slot canyon

Trip Stats

Trip Length

Total round-trip: 2 miles (3.2 km)
From Hwy S-22: 3.4 miles (5.4 km).

Attractions

Narrow slot canyon
Sandstone formations
Unique desert landscape
Dry waterfall

Difficulty

Fairly flat desert wash
Minor boulder scrambling

Elevation Gain

Approximately: 100 feet (30 m)

Click below to expand.

What To See

The Calicite Mine Slot Canyon is a great way to spend 1-2 hours in the Calcite Mine / Truckhaven Rocks area. Hiking into the wash that the slot canyon is in offers classic desert landscape that is unique to this area.
This slot canyon is different than the other popular slot canyon in Anza-Borrego known as The Slot. This canyon has very smooth walls whereas The Slot has very rough and corrugated walls.
Because you are hiking in a wash where a lot of water is concentrated after rainstorms, you will most likely encounter increased vegetation. A wide variety of plants common to Anza-Borrego can be found here, including the coachwhip and desert tobacco.
Getting There
The beginning of this hike is not too far from Hwy S22. You will need at least a 2WD vehicle with medium ground clearance to get to the start of the trail. If you don’t have the required vehicle, it is a 0.7 mile, one-way hike to the trailhead.
Start your trip at Christmas Circle in the center of Borrego Springs. Reset your odometer to zero and drive east on Palm Canyon Drive (Hwy S22).
You’ll pass the airport and the road to Fonts Point. At about 19 miles, turn left onto a dirt turnout. Be sure to stop and read the informative sign here about the Calcite Mine before descending into the canyon. If you are not driving the required vehicle, park safely here and start your hike.
You should assess the road and the weather before descending. Be sure that your vehicle is up to the task and, if there are thunderstorms in the area, just take this trip some other time. It is not safe to drive or hike in a wash with thunderstorms threatening.
From the turnout, go down the dirt road, into the wash below, and turn left at 0.1 mile. Continue traveling up the wash, which now parallels S22 heading west, until you cannot drive any further. Park your vehicle here so that other vehicles can turn around and get past you.
- See directions to beginning of trip on Google Maps
The Hike

After parking your vehicle, start hiking up the canyon. It’s an easy walk of about one mile, one way. The canyon twists and turns and becomes narrower the further you go. There are a few obstacles to climb over but they are not difficult at all.
When we last visited, there was a fallen column lying across the canyon that we had to walk under. Eventually, this column will erode and collapse so at some point, the hike will include climbing over the fallen column. As you walk along, be sure to notice the different types of vegetation growing inside the canyon and on the canyon floor.
After walking about a third of a mile, the canyon narrows down into a classic slot canyon. You will be able to touch both sidewalls of the canyon at the same time and have to squeeze through some tight spots. This makes some people uncomfortable but this narrow section only lasts for less than a quarter mile. The canyon then opens up again for a short time and the hike comes to an end at a dry waterfall.