Split Mountain Gorge & Wind Caves

Split Mountain Gorge

Located within the Anza-Borrego State Park is the Split Mountain Gorge. This canyon is unique as it passes entirely through a mountain splitting it into two separate ranges. Located on the west are the Vallecito Mountains, and located on the east are the Fish Creek Mountains. These mountains formed when water drained from Carrizo Bedlands to the Salton Sea. "As the mountains rose over time, Fish Creek Wash continually gouged down into the new mountains creating the Split Mountain Canyon," (Split Mountain). 

Wind Caves

After walking or driving up the Split Mountain Gorge, you can explore the wind caves. Despite the name, these wind caves are not formed from the wind. Instead, these caves have been eroded by water. Due to the lack of uniformity, areas with less cementation erode a little faster than other areas and create depressions. Since the depressions are shaded, they allow water to remain on the surface of the sandstone longer, which dissolve the cement faster. This cycle continues when it rains as it deepens the depression of the caves. 

Reference:

"Split Mountain." n.d, Web. 15 April 2014.