Grotto's and Big Morongo

The Grottos is a slotted canyon that has been filled with giant boulders to form a cave system. It was two years ago that I hiked through them and as always they had changed and created some new challenges.  We had a great day and we started out an hour earlier so we wouldn't be hiking in the heat of the day.

This is the group all fresh after hiking up to the first ridge and lookout.

There were a few Ocotillo with a few blooms but with no rain this was very rare.

You could almost taste the dryness in the air, even with out the dust.

The water in this wash area made area almost like a cathedral. Below photo I am standing inside the feature.

We walked through a maze of large boulders off the main wash to reveal a hidden spring.

We climbed another ridge after the hidden spring and this ridge would take us to the far end of the canyon where the grotto was awaiting us.

The edge was a bit close as we followed the trail.

As I mentioned above the trail was a bit close to the edge...

Entering the top of the grotto

The challenge was to climb the boulders inside the cave.

Did we say the boulders were giant? 

There is always someone wanting to explore more of the caves... right Bob?

This the crew near the first ridge. No one is standing now... Not quite the same spring in their step. 

Big Morongo is a preserve that changes quite a bit with the seasons.  Winter is a time for many plants to be dormant as well as fewer birds.  We shared the hike with about 25 birders so the birds must be out there but we don't have the skills to track the source of all the bird songs.

Our trail is some where to the south through this valley.

The trails in the preserve are very easy to follow and they also provide a map that make even first time hikers feel safe from getting lost.

A surprise to see plants in bloom. This one is a 'Bladder Pod'

These plants are 'Apricot or Desert Mallow'

The preserve had an abundance of these plants. Yerba Santa

Colorful blend of vegetation down in the swamp area

This Scrub Jay was looking for handouts as always...

Spring is in the air and in the trees with early blooms in this willow type tree.