Copyright 2011, CABS for Reflections From the Fence
(Note to my readers, this post is graphics heavy. I had a horrible time deciding which photos to share with you, this was one awesome memory making photographic day.)
On the advice of one terrific docent at the
Palm Springs Visitor's Center, John, Man and I made a day trip to
Indian Canyons, just south of Palm Springs, California to visit the Andreas Canyon and the Palm Canyon. We hiked in both, we figure close to 3 miles between the two canyons. (We did not hike the Murray Canyon, which we were informed was more difficult than Andreas.)
The Andreas Canyon is home to the world's second largest native California fan palm oasis.
We hiked the Andreas Canyon first, this magnificent outcropping of rock has been sheltering Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians for hundreds of years. There was a representative of the tribe at the beginning of the trail, the guide at the beginning of the Andreas Canyon trail told me the name of this rock grouping, which, sadly, I cannot remember. He explained that this is a sacred area to their tribe. As awesome as this was, I can easily see why.
The contrast, rock, plant, more awesome!
If palms grow in the desert, there must be water, and lots of it, and there is here. Walking along the palms, with the magnificent walls of stone and rock and listening to the water gurgle down the hill and the birds chirping away in the back ground. What's NOT to like??
Below: Here is a photo to challenge your equilibrium, I took this one simply shooting straight up.
More awe:
The walk in the Andreas Canyon is a 1 mile loop. You walk one side very close to the water, cross the water on a wooden bridge and then walk the other side, which is much further from the water. In fact, you cannot hear the water on the second half of the walk. The first half is partially shaded by the palms, the second half is out in the full sun. Two totally different experiences. Below, you can see the palms all growing around the water, but you are above them, giving a different perspective than walking amongst them.
Well, that's it for this canyon, cept for this photo of Man hiking in it, photo taken on the first half of the hike. See his walking stick? We each purchased one in Tombstone Arizona. They are extremely light weight and we have been pleasantly surprised at how valuable they are while hiking in this terrain. The balance they provide adds a bit of confidence to these two users.
Photos from the Palm Canyon hike will follow in the next post. I'll bet I'll have as much trouble choosing which ones to include as I have for this post.
Till the next post, keep on hiking, with or without a walking stick.
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