2011-01 La Quinta Cove to Lake Cahuilla Trail

This was certainly a different type of hike as we started on the edge of  a residential area and headed over a small pass and down to a regional park.  The brochure on the Internet described it as a short hike with a gradual incline and it was obviously written by some Jock in the La Quinta Recreation Department.  The trail at one point went from 180 to 90 metres within a 100 metre distance.  It also changed elevation by 60 metres at least three times.

I told all the hikers it was a 4 mile hike but looking at the map along the way it was actually almost 3 miles one way but at the end of the hike the GPS said 10.5 km or about 6.5 miles.  Everyone made it although a few had body parts swearing at them but the guys weren't swearing at me. 

A north view back at La Quinta homes

Chuparosa - Spanish for 'sucking rose' is popular with hummingbirds and is showing signs of an early bloom.  They aren't usually out till March or April.

West facing view with La Quinta Cove Oasis in lower right of photo

East view toward Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah). The lake is around the range of hills(mountains) on the left.

Rocks everywhere.  I like the patterns that have been formed by all the forces of nature.

The Ocotillo has also starting to blossom and it also sends out bright green leaves after the rains.

A picture of the gradual incline...

 The next photos are of the trail as we passed by a golf course.  The golf course was built in 1994 at the site of an old quarry and hence the name 'Quarry at La Quinta'.  According to the Internet this course is world renowned.  It has a waterfall on the 10th hole against the side of the quarry and the 14th hole is in a natural ravine, the one we hiked through.  They have over 80,000 indigenous plants, an abandoned western mine and numerous bronze statues depicting early cowboy days.  So if you are having a lousy game of golf you can be distracted by your surroundings.


Wild bronze horse on the hill beside the golf course



Palo Verde trees (tree green) skirts the fairway

The hiking crew are standing on the top of another gradual incline and overlooking the 14th hole.

Mine equipment

Lake Cahuilla

Lake Cahuilla was man-made in 1960 and is situated at the end of the Coachella Canal.  In addition to the beautiful beach and picnic area it also has an outdoor pool, modern and rustic campsites.  They stock the lake with trout so fishing is also allowed.  It must be very popular with the locals but this day must have been too cold even though the air temp was at least 70 + F.  Warm summer day by Canadian standards.