Murray Hill and Big Split Rock Canyon

Murray Hill has always been a tougher hike for me because of the change in elevation (2100 feet) and it is also 7 miles including the return.  We had a nice cool, clear day and we could see for miles up and down the valley.  The trail we took goes right past an oasis (Jane's Hoffbrau) and alongside a large wash before heading up the main slope.  It is one of those hikes when you think you can see the summit but once you climb some more you see there is another ridge and you have to keep going.

A selfie of me against the water tank

The planes come very close to the mountains to land in Palm Springs

San Jacinto Mountain has hardly any snow this year.

Jane's Hoffbrau Oasis and the steep wash entering from above.

You have to stay on the trail here as you would have lots of ravines to traverse if you tried a straight line route.

Two of our hikers decided to investigate the lower wash rather than having a mountain top experience.

Trail winds up and up. That peak is one of those false summits.

Easterly view of the valley

I thought this view of the vapour trails and clouds made a beautiful contrast to the mountain trail.

Bryan and I at the highest point of rock.  

There are three picnic tables up at the summit and they are great vantage points to a pleasant view.

What goes up must come down. You get a good appreciation of how steep the trail is near the top.

Last winter we tried this trail and because we had some stragglers we weren't able to make it to the end of the trail. The Big Split Rock Canyon is described as 'a lot of fun for kids'.  I just figured it out that we aren't kids anymore.  I liked the adventure as well as the others so we must be young at heart.

Start of decision making time. Left? Right? or Center?  I think left.

A bit narrow

A bit narrower...

Click on the link below and see just how narrow it gets...

Narrow enough to plug the split...

We then tried to get someone to climb this dry waterfall and see what was on the other side. It is actually the end of the trail.

We had to backtrack out of this canyon. You certainly can't get lost on this trail.

We headed up another trail to the right and someone found this dead tarantula on the path.

This canyon had many interesting shapes to it's walls.

We climbed to the top of one of the smaller hills and we could see the hills over in another canyon.

Across from the parking area the sun was shining on these rock formations.