My cousin Greg was really excited to share a great hiking spot in the Palm Desert area with us. So, we loaded up the cars and headed out. A miscommunication led us to believe we would be doing a short hike just a few minutes from the house but, an hour later we were still in the car. And, that was just the beginning.
right: The road to nowhere?
Every turn we made took us farther away from the city and further into the desert until we were finally on a sandy road in the middle of nowhere. Greg then stopped and said that he would need to leave his car there because his car would not make it through the soft sandy road ahead. We would have to make a couple of trips to shuttle everyone to the trail head in my car with all wheel drive. This is the first time the theme song from Gilligan’s Island started playing in my head. You know, the ominous part that goes – “…a three hour tour, a three hour tour”. This song would accompany me throughout the afternoon.
We managed to make it through the soft sand to the trailhead where I was relieved to see a few more cars. At least we wouldn’t be alone out there.
Our hiking party consisted of a 79 year old grandmother with a broken shoulder, 2 middle aged women who were admittedly not in the best shape, 2 middle aged men in only slightly better condition, 2 children, a geriatric dog and a Princess – not exactly a team you would want to take up Mt. Everest. But, this was just an easy day hike, right?
Deserts always make me feel a little nervous. There isn’t any water and the sun can make rawhide out of you in an afternoon. Then there are the creepy crawlies like scorpions and rattlesnakes to contend with. One or two mistakes in a desert can result in death. On top of that, there was no cell phone service so we wouldn’t even be able to call for help.
“…a three hour tour, a three hour tour”
left : Greg
Greg guided us up into the canyon with beautifully carved walls that rose 70 feet. The canyon floor was mostly soft sand with rocks mixed in and and followed a gentle upward grade as we progressed. With the dogs unleashed, I noticed the Princess following along the base of the canyon walls in the shade, smart dog. As we started to sweat in the mid day heat, we followed her lead and tried to stay in the shaded areas as much as possible.
right: Following the shade
We came to a point where there was a smaller canyon that branched off of the main canyon. Greg said this is where we would be heading up. The opening consisted of car sized boulders jumbled up in a heap. We would need to climb over these then climb down a ladder into a narrow channel then climb (literally) up again through some boulders and eventually ascend several more ladders that would take us up and out of the canyon to the top where a spectacular view awaited us. This would take another hour or so.
“….a three hour tour, a three hour tour”
left: Up into the side canyon.
right: Greg and the Big Dude stand by one of the broken ladders.
We started up over the boulders and reached the first ladder down. The geriatric dog needed to be helped down, then the Princess (who wasn’t very happy about ladders).
That’s when I threw up my hands in the big “T” for timeout. I thought this was a “walk” not a “climb”. There was no way my mother, who was awaiting surgery for, a fractured shoulder and torn ligaments was going to be climbing any ladders or rocks. And, the rest of us weren’t exactly up to the task.
It was time for a new plan. The guys and the Big Dude would continue the climb up the side canyon. The rest of us would continuing hiking up the main canyon and we would all meet back in an hour. So, we headed on, then I noticed 5 vultures circling above us. I walked on wondering if the birds knew something that I didn’t.
“… a three hour tour, a three hour tour”
The canyon was spectacular with walls sculpted in a way that only mother nature can. The rocks were tan, grey and orange some with pebbles imbedded which was of particular interest to the Lil’ Dude. We reached the end where the only way to continue was a short rock climb up to another level and who knows what would come next. You could see water marks where the canyon funnels rainwater during storms. Fortunately for us, the skies were blue.
left: The “end ” of the canyon for us.
right: The Lil’ Dude checks out the only way out of the end of the canyon…up.
The Princess eagerly lead us back down the canyon ( I don’t think she likes deserts) following the shade until we made it back to our meeting spot. The guys were waiting for us. Their hike turned into a dramatic monkey climb up and down through narrow canyons with many more ladders most of which were broken. It actually sounded kinda fun but, they didn’t quite make it to the scenic view at the end because of limited time.
left: The Hippygeek navigates one of the climbs in the side canyon.
right: A view from the side canyon.
above: The Princess and the Big Dude pooped out after the hike.
above: We got a view of the Salton Sea on the drive out (seen in the distance).
We all safely made it back to our cars and to the nearest mexican restaurant for lunch and a beer. Although I had some reservations about the hike in the beginning, our “three hour tour” turned into a wonderful family adventure in a beautiful canyon on a perfect Coachella Valley Day. Thanks, Greg!
2 Responses to Painted Canyon Hike