Palm Desert Hiking, March 2010, Part I

I was lucky enough to take a business trip to Palm Desert, California, back in March. I went with my friend Robert, and we rented a car, specifically in order to be able to sight see, during our times off. Actually, more specifically, we rented a car to go hiking on a specific trail that Robert had hiked before. Apparently it was a real worthy destination- he'd been there twice before, and had been excitedly describing it to me for months!

Palm Canyon is a desert canyon with a year-round stream running down from the San Jacinto Mountains, just south of Palm Springs (in between the Palm Springs Airport and our hotel in Palm Desert). Located on an Indian Reservation, there is a well maintained system of trails, and strict access restrictions and fees. But it ends up being worth it, because the several canyons that are on the reservation are truly unique environments- the home of large groves of California Fan Palms. This palm is the only native palm in western North America, and these groves are the largest of their kind.

Here are the trees, from the viewpoint at the parking lot.

Robert was happy to be back. Naturally I was wearing all of my serious looking hiking gear, while Robert is coolly sidling up the canyon in loafers and a t-shirt.



Here's the creek at the canyon bottom. The existence of this creek allowed for the habitation of the Cahuilla Indians. They had a pretty good thing. In a hot and dry desert, their home is cool, shaded, and wet.



It was March in Southern California, but 10,000 feet up on the high peaks of the San Jacinto Range, there were feet of snow on the ground. Up there, it's snow sports season! There's actually a tram that goes up from Palm Springs. We agreed we weren't really prepared for those kinds of temperatures.


It's not just a few palm trees. There are acres and acres of them! There are even groves of palms growing on the dry hillsides of the canyon. This is possible because their roots access underground water supplies percolating through the rocks.

We climbed up out of the creek bed, and walked back toward the parking lot.  Unfortunately, they don't allow one to hang around past 5.  The evening light would have been pretty.  I noticed this peak across the mountains.  It looks like a real fun scramble, and i bet people from down in Coachella Valley do it all the time.

We crossed back over the creek, below the parking lot.  There was no bridge, but it was no bother, because, while the water was cool, the air temperature was pleasantly warm.  I can imagine it would get unbearably hot during the summer. 

We arrived at the car with about 45 minutes until we'd need to leave.  So we headed over to Andreas Canyon.  There are trails here, too, but given the amount of time we had, we just wandered around the mouth of the canyon.  Here's a view of Palm Springs.  Interesting how close one can be to the civilized world, while being in a natural setting.

Here are the hills on the other side of the canyon.  I think this is the best picture of the day, though there was unfortunately a cloud shadowing the highest hills.  Maybe next time!  To see the image in better colors and more resolution, just click on it!

Stay tuned for more photos from Palm Desert!