Exploring Indian Canyon

On Palm Sunday, we were invited by our resort neighbors to a movie in Palm Desert called "War Room" about a family going in opposite, unhealthy directions and how they came to a happy resolution.  Afterwards, we went to In N Out Burger.  Sonny and I had never eaten there so we were newbies.  A bus load of kids and families arrived just before us so it was a crazy place but Mary got us a table by hovering so we had a place to sit. The burger was good and the fries weren't greasy though there wasn't any tarter sauce for me to dip.  The sunsets this week were magnificent.  On Monday, we drove to Indian Canyon to explore. Later in the day, the winds began and continued for 24 hours.  Our rig rocked in the 30-40 mph gusts and one of the slides actually loosened enough to need adjustment.  When we were in Bullhead City, we saw a rig with straps holding the slides and now we know why.

There are 3 canyons in this park. We headed for Palm Canyon to hear the Ranger talk.  On the drive to the trail head, we came to a very narrow part of the road bordered by rocks.  Sonny didn't think the truck could get through so we parked and began walking the last quarter mile.  I'm sure we gained 500' in elevation and it was hot!  We got to the top in time to learn that the Ranger talk was at another location.  No where did we see any information about the change.  We read the brochure and decided on a 2 mile round trip walk into the palm canyon which is 15 miles long.  Then, we drove to Andreas Canyon to eat our lunch and explore. These canyons were inhabited by the Cahuilla Indians centuries ago who grew crops of melons, squash, beans and corn.  They gathered seeds for food, medicines, and basket weaving.

Fast food dinner out

The upper winds made interesting shapes in the clouds
at the end of a windy day.

I couldn't resist taking pictures of the sky color.

Shot from the pool

On the way into Palm Springs, we passed over this
 bridge and were fascinated by the fencing to keep the
blowing sand from drifting into the road.  Sand was like snow.

Barrel cactus with bloom next to cholla
at the entrance to Indian Canyons.

Easy walking here among the palms.

Colorful blooms.

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From here,  I could see much of the Coachella Valley

Interesting rock formations left by glaciers.

Lunch time under the palms

The road became narrow between these rocks.
Once we got to the rocks, we could see that the truck
would  have made it through with the truck but we
 kept walking telling ourselves we needed  the
exercise even though it was near 90*.

Trail views.  The walk was in the brillant sun part of the time

We could see many barrel cactus on the
rocky hill along the path.

Rock cairn along the path

Barrels on the hillside.

Family climbing on rock outcropping.

Palm grove.  This tree
looked like an elephant trunk.

I didn't find anything in writing about these,
so I 'm guessing the Cahuilla used them as homes.

This grove was thick with palms.

This was the trail back to the parking lot.
The next photo is shot from the
covered area above.

Looking down into the trail head of
Palm Canyon.

I passed this busy caterpillar crossing the road as
I was walking by.