2012 - Palm Canyon - East Fork Trail

This was the first time hiking up at the top end of the Indian Canyons and this hike was as enjoyable as the Murray and Andreas Canyons to the north.  This area is part of the Aqua Caliente Cahuilla Indian Reservation and there is an admission fee to enter the area.

 

We left the Trading Post and headed south and then south east up the Palm Canyon.  The hike was 10.2 km (6.4 miles) and the elevation gain was about 900 feet.  Some of this trail was marked moderate as there was a bit of rock scrambling up the east fork wash.

View of the canyon from the Trading Post.

Below the Trading Post is a picnic area and a cultural display of how the Cahuilla (pronounced Kaw-we-ah) people lived.  I tried to convince Don to crawl into the hut for a photo but he reminded me that that is why he had grandchildren.

Palm Canyon Creek was only a trickle as it hasn't rained here for a while.

The fan palms provide a nice shade against the heat of the sun.

The trail has been carved out by water that has left rock formations to scramble over.  This was the easiest one.

There were many corners to go around on this trail and with each one a new view of mountains, hills and palms.

View of the San Jacinto Mountains in the background.

A butterfly feeding on a Lavender bush.  I don't know my butterflies but think this might be a Monarch.

More rocks to negotiate through...



This Brittle Bush must have received some moisture to have these flowers.

Another view looking north.

If it wasn't for the presence of vegetation you would think this area was moonscape.

We always use a GPS and topo maps but it is always reassuring when you arrive at the right trail marker.

This photo interested me because of the contrast of vegetation, sand, rock and trees up at the top of the mountain.

This is a patch of wild squash.  First time I have ever seen one.  There was one on the ground that had come off the vine so we tried to open it up.  The outer shell is like a thick egg shell and it is full of seeds.

Close enough to civilization to see buildings.

It was nice to see the palm trees after walking out in the open in the sun.  There was a light wind that kept the temperature down to the high 20's C.

 

The trail comes back to the canyon floor and we follow the Palm Canyon Creek out to the Trading Post.