Kumeyaay Kitchen Traditional Cache
Kache Hound: This cache is archived.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Fourth in a series of caches designed to pique interest in our surroundings, bio-diversity and archaeology (Blue Spring Cupules, Amazing Underground Desert Life, and Dehesa Beargrass are the others).
Hornblend Canyon is a very pretty but less visited canyon in Anza-Borrego State Park. Hornblend is the black rock with brown and gray striations found here. The approximate 1.1 mile hike is described in Robin Halfords’ “Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert” book, but the Canyon is not mentioned in Lindsay’s Guide to Anza-Borrego or Anza-Borrego from A to Z. The area is much like that described in Jef and Grace’s “Cool Canyon Rainbow Rocks” cache (GCG19T), with plenty of transitional flora and trappings of human use. Native Americans heavily used the “Kumeyaay (KOO-Mee-Eye) Kitchen” area; the bedrock riddled with many morteros, slicks and rubbings. I counted 13 morteros and 4 grinding slicks, you may find more.
Access to the unmarked canyon is off the Great Southern Overland Stage Route of 1849 (County Highway S-2) near Box Canyon. There is a turnout/parking area opposite the entrance at 33.00.830 N and 116.26.987 W, about 8.8 miles south of Scissors Crossing and just past the Box Canyon Monument. There is room for 2-3 vehicles, and the hike begins by crossing the road (carefully) to the canyon entrance. The canyon is a series of sandy washes interspersed with rock steps and dryfalls. These are easily navigated over or around, but the dryfall at 33.01.275 N and 116.27.297 W (see image) will definitely need skirting around. Some cairns point the way.
The cache is located on a knoll overlooking the kitchen. A short (1/10th of a mile) and uphill (40’ elevation gain) hike gets you there. Sit a spell, enjoy the view, and contemplate what life would be like in the kitchen. The cache is seeded with a Logbook, pencil, and a token coin for FTF from the Commemoration of Alaskan Statehood in 1959. The coin is “redeemable for $1 at any cooperative business or the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce until 12 noon, Thursday December 31st, 1959.” Just in case you’re in the Fairbanks area and can transmute yourself back in time.
On your way out be sure to look for the tailing pile and mine tunnel at 33.01.273 N and 116.27.454 W that you likely missed going in. NOTE – Entering mine tunnels anywhere in the park is dangerous and prohibited. Visit visually. And speaking of visual, keep your eyes open for animal residents of this canyon. You might get lucky like I did and get a picture like the one attached.
As usual obey all park rules and regulations, go with plenty of water and good hiking boots, and be careful.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Terra plyvaqevpny zvyvgnel zbegne plyvaqre jvgu Trb-pnpur ynoryf. Ybpngrq oruvaq n ebpx naq va sebag bs n Whavcre Gerr, pbirerq jvgu n qrnq oenapu.