Los Puertecitos Pass () in Ocotillo Wells, California in San Diego County, is California Historical Landmark No. 635 listed on March 3, 1958. The Los Puertecitos is a desert pass used by the Spanish Commander Juan Bautista de Anza and Father Francisco Garcés expedition of 1775 and 1776. The expedition came through the pass on December 19, 1775. Near the pass on a flats east of the pass the expedition rested and watered its stock of mules, cattle, and horses.
The expedition passed though the Imperial Valley then though the Colorado Desert, now the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The expedition's goal was to start Spanish missions in California and presidio forts though Las Californias to the San Francisco Bay. The expedition route is now the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
A historical marker is near the pass in the desert on California State Route 78 east of Ocotillo Wells in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The marker was placed there by the California State Park Commission working with Cuyamaca Parlor No. 298, Native Sons of the Golden West in 1959.
See also
California Historical Landmarks in San Diego County
El Vado
Borrego Sink
Box Canyon (Borrego Springs, California)
External links
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Official website – National Park Service
NPS: Brochure Map for driving Anza Trail
NPS: Historical destinations-events Guide
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail – detailed Maps by County
Anza Trail Foundation
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail – BLM page
References
Colonial United States (Spanish) California Historical Landmarks History of San Diego County, California East County (San Diego County) Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Colorado Desert