2011 - Horsethief Creek Hike

We started our excursion by leaving Indio at sea level and travelling 40 km up the winding mountain highway #74 into the Santa Rosa Mountains, parking at 1230 meters above sea level. 

Our hike was rated as easy/moderate and we walked about 7.6 km (4.7 miles) and the elevation change was about 203 meters (666 ft.).  The trail took us beside an old dolomite mine and on through a valley with many hill crests formed from the surrounding hills.  We had the impression that we were going downhill more than up and of course on the way back to the truck it became very obvious that we were expending far more energy getting back.

This is the vertical profile of our hike.  The start point is on the top right and the creek is at the bottom left.

The trail started off as an old road to the dolomite mine.

 

As we crested the hills it was a great opportunity to take a photo of the next section of valley and as we got closer to the creek we hoped to see a creek.



The hillsides are showing evidence of extreme geological activity

Horsethief Creek Valley - This is the most colourful time of year as the cottonwoods are changing colour.

Horsethief Creek

We saw many animals but unfortunately were only able to get a photo of a small lizard.  There were squirrels and other rodents. We also saw some birds close to the water filled streams.

He blends into his surroundings quite well.



The scenery was made more spectacular by the abundance and variety of vegetation.  Different species of plants were clustered together and thriving. 

California Scrub Oak

Desert Fuchsia

Juniper bush loaded with berries

The environment overwhelmed this tree

And this tree seems to be overwhelming this rocky hillside

Century Plant - is part of the Agava family and is misnamed as it only lives 10 - 30 years.
This one sent up a large bloom and then died finishing its life cycle. 
You can see a new plant just behind
this one, probably a sucker off the original plant.

As we finished our hike the sun was shining on this hill covered with a selection of green and rust coloured plants and dotted by tan coloured rocks.