FJ Cruiser Overlanding – Trial Run in Anza-Borrego

Background

In between Part 3 and Part 4 of our FJ Cruiser overlanding build-out, CrtrGrl and I did a trial run of our new roof rack and roof top tent. We wanted to try out sleeping in the tent and also see how the FJ Cruiser (Greyjoy) drove with the new weight on the roof. We hadn’t yet installed the camp kitchen that was built in Part 4, but we had our ARB fridge in the back.

Overlanding Trial Run

Our plan was to do a couple of nights of dispersed camping out in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Anza-Borrego is only a couple of hours away from home, and has perfect temps in the beginning of spring. There are a lot of options for dispersed camping and we knew we’d be able to find some peace and solitude.

The only things we needed to bring were food, water and camera gear. Oh and our little dog Indi. 🙂

Adventure Video

Check out the really cool video that CrtrGrl made for for our trial run:

American White Pelicans

On our way to the desert, we stopped at Lake Henshaw to check out a flock of American white pelicans. Apparently, 2018 was the first time they were seen at Lake Henshaw. They are showing up in more new locations in San Diego County due to declining fish in the environmental disaster that is the Salton Sea, where they historically spend winter.

We watched them resting in the lake and flying in formation in the mountain air currents. Pelicans are one of my favorite birds, with so much personality, and the American white pelicans are beautiful! With their large wingspans and striking white and black feathers, they definitely stood out in that landscape.

Camp

After communing with the white pelicans, CrtrGrl and I found a secluded, dispersed camping spot in a canyon in Anza-Borrego State Park. We picked a spot next to a large tree, which provided some shade and privacy. A few trucks passed by during the middle of the day, but after that, we had the place to ourselves.

We set up camp by opening up our roof top tent and zipping in the full annex. We also opened up the rear awning for shade. A few white puffy clouds passed by in the light breeze as CrtrGrl prepared salad and sandwiches with plant-based sausage, sauerkraut, peppers and avocado. As we watched the sun set and the full moon rose, I got out my camera to do some night photography.

We slept well in the roof top tent, with our small dog Indi in between us. The Tepui mattress was just enough padding and our 2-person sleeping bag kept us plenty warm. In the beginning, we were nervous about the part of the tent that is held up by the ladder, but after going up and down a few times, we found it to be sturdy.

Winds

The next morning, we took a walk and explored our surroundings. The canyon branched out into small alcoves that ended in steep walls. During the rainy season, our camp site could be underwater during flash flooding. We were awed by the stark beauty of the desert and the creatures that can survive in those harsh conditions.

As the sun came up, so did the winds. We hiked up onto a small ridge above our campsite and enjoyed a view across the desert floor, as the wind threatened to push us off. When we got back to our campsite, the wind ripped out one of the stakes holding the rear awning in place and flipped it up and over the FJ. We learned that stakes don’t work well in the sand, at least not when it’s windy. The awning ended up with a bent support pole. Fortunately, ARB sells them individually and they’re pretty cheap to replace. Now we carry empty burlap sandbags to hold the tent and awning in place when it’s sandy.

Moving On

With the winds making things less than comfortable in our little desert oasis, we decided to pack up camp and look for another place to stay. Folding up the roof top tent has a little bit of a learning curve, but does get easier with practice. We found that the annex wasn’t quite worth the effort, at least in fair weather and without the need for additional private space.

CrtrGrl and I headed west and up the mountain to check out Lake Cuyamaca. The cloud cover increased, as the temperature dropped. When we arrived after lunch, it was about 40F and the winds were even stronger. Knowing that it was going to get below freezing and might even snow, we decided we weren’t prepared for those conditions and decided to continue home.

After one night camping out in our FJ Cruiser taught us a few important lessons and helped shape the design of our camp kitchen. It was a good stepping stone as we built out the rest of our design. On our next outing, we had the full setup complete and were ready to test it all out before our long road trip.