2012 - Whitewater to Mecca Hills

I took a short break from writing the blog as I didn't feel motivated after losing our wee dog Chip.  He was pound for pound the best hiker I ever met...  We didn't stop hiking though, so here are a few areas that we visited.



Horse Thief Creek

The cottonwood trees always make this hike worthwhile at this time of year.

The dolomite mine looked better on the way back to the car, still a blight on the land but this is part of  history.

Whitewater Canyon looking down river toward Palm Springs

We are standing on the bridge/culvert.  When the rains are heavy the water runs right over this bridge.

As we gain elevation the view opens up down the canyon.

View of the Ranger station

Great views at the top of the ridge...

Whitewater river has many paths to follow through the canyon.



Desert variety of broom

A Preying Mantis that we saved from a Roadrunner's attention

Snakes now Mountain Lions... are they like Cougars...

Fish are still here from the days when this was a fish hatchery

Beautiful contrast, ponds to dry canyon walls

Butterflies are all over the valley this year. We discovered this one on our way to Willis Palms.

Found this lizard on the way, looks like he is moulting.

One of the views on the hill above Willis Palms.

View of palms from above.  The trunks and all the palm fronds were burnt a few years ago but the trees themselves survived the intense heat and flames.

The Ladders hike in the Mecca Hills is always a wonder.

Short-cut around a ladder

Canyon walls haven't open up much since last year.

This ant got my attention... he is packing a small twig.  I would be about the same as one of us packing a 8 foot 2x4 in our teeth.

We took a new route up the last part of the ladders.  It is the way you are directed in the hiking guide but I'm a guy and I never read guides...

butterflies here too

Painted Canyon always seems to give you a fresh palette every hike.

Ladders are all in place...