The Real Cathedral Canyon

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY EIGHT

About ten days ago I went on a hike up what I thought was Cathedral Canyon in Cathedral City and did what I called the Cathedral Canyon Trail up to Dunn Road. There was only one problem with my assessment of that hike: I was not in Cathedral Canyon. I went home and looked at where I'd gone on a topographical map and discovered that Cathedral Canyon is on the east side of the cove and not the west side. I don't know what the name of the canyon I was in is called. So, I went back today and hiked in the real Cathedral Canyon.

The area around the cove in Cat City is fenced off but I found this gate to get access.

There's also a fence blocking the canyon itself but this part of the fence has been propped up presumably to allow hikers like myself the pleasure of enjoying the canyon.

Is there any place in this desert where there is not an old abandoned car?

I hike past this cool looking trail but continue up the canyon. If I have time I might just hit this on the way back.

The canyon has some towering rock formations set formed by nature.

And some that are formed by man.

As I continue up the canyon it is easy to see why someone named this after a cathedral. The towering sides enclose you and give you comfort.

At the end of this section of the canyon is a large dry waterfall. There are possibly ways to get around this fall but they would be steep, rocky and potentially dangerous. So this is a good turnaround point.

Heading back you get a good view of Edom Hill and the Little San Bernardino Mtns.

Looks like I'll have time to go and explore this trail, at least for a while.

The trail goes up into the mountains and one trail drops down into another canyon. I take the mountain route.

At the next fork I take what appears to be either a game trail or an old Indian trail and it leads to yet another canyon.

From up here I can look across to Murray Hill and the San Jacinto Mountains.

I also look up and see what appears to be an old mine or prospect of some kind. I will have to go and explore this sometime.

Instead of dropping down I choose to climb up another hill hoping to run into the trail I didn't take at my last intersection.

With the sun setting quickly I hope to run into the trail quickly.

The trail is right where I suspect it is but then I spot something else I don't expect.

Who put this here? This rock monument is probably twelve feet tall at its longest side and at least nine feet on its shortest. I wonder how long it took to build this thing.

And it's not the only one. There's a second smaller rock pyramid not far away.

I want to explore around a bit more but the sun is going to bed and the wife called and wonders when I'll be home. There are so many mysteries in these hills that I never get tired of going out to discover them. You never know what you're going to stumble upon next.

Trail of our Fathers

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY TWO

The Cahuilla Indians inhabited the desert for thousands of years before Europeans came to America. They were the original desert rats and the first trail builders in and around the Coachella Valley. In a sense, they are the fathers of all of us who hike here.

I went to go and hike by the Martinez landslide area but found the gate closed and locked. No Trespassing means "find another way" to an adventurer.

I parked on a road over by the Torrez Martinez reservation and walked along the flood control dike until I got to this little canyon near the water line of ancient Lake Cahuilla.

Down below the dike there is a lot of old junk from farmers in the area. Most of what's here are fire pots for keeping crops warm on freezing nights.

After leaving the junk yard I walk along this little trail toward the nearest canyon. I am aware that this was underwater at one time. Notice the travertine covered rock on the left and the waterline up ahead.

I know there's a trail on the hillside but I don't know where it starts on this side of the hill. It starts by the fish traps on the other side but here is harder to determine.

I decide to hike up toward this canyon instead.

It's a good decision because I quickly find a trail monument.

There are several all along the hillside and while the trail is not distinct it is pretty easy to follow. There are three trail shrines in just this one picture.

There are also a few sections where the trail really stands out.

I can't follow the trail very far and get to a place where I can't determine where it goes. It could continue up the canyon or steep up the side of the hill toward the ridge. It probably was not a good time to go exploring late on a Sunday afternoon in late June in the desert. How far did I think I could go?

Heading back down toward my vehicle I imagine how this area must have looked with a giant lake filling this entire basin. It had to have been incredible.

Secret Pathway

Day Fifty Five

Today I had to call in a favor. Last month, I went to hike an old Indian Trail that goes between Indian Wells and La Quinta. I was unable to complete the hike due to obstructions called gated communities. Through a personal connection I was able to gain access and go on my hike. Don't ask for the number, though. The homeowners association would probably have a fit if a bunch of hikers came traipsing through their private community. Hikers are sweaty, have dirt of their bodies and might wear shirts without collars. I had to pretend I wasn't a hiker. I told them my name was Biff.

You park near this cave in the side of the mountain. Its location is top secret.

I hike behind the homes until I come to the location of the trail

It is marked with this sign. I'm glad the sign is still here. There was a rock that had a bedrock mortar in it years ago but it is now gone, the victim of development. Hopefully, it's in the Historical Society Museum and not some dude's backyard.

The trail rises sharply and steeply. Actually, there are two trails which intermingle as they go up the hill. One is the original Indian Trail and the other, a reworking of it to make it not so steep. Personally, I prefer the steep trail. Those Indian Trails were no nonsense.

At the top of the trail there are two good size trail monuments.

Looking down into Indian Wells.

I get to the bottom near the golf course and decide to look around for any signs of Indian inhabitation, like bedrock mortars or pot sherds. I know the Cahuilla had a village site at the base of this trail but the remnants of it are probably under the golf course. However, the golf course has a nice little monument to the Indians, the Indians of the Pacific Northwest, that is.

While scouting around I see an area that's not been developed, which seems weird, and walk around there a bit. I quickly notice this huge rock monument. It must be over seven feet tall. I can't be sure but it looks like something the Indians may have built. I'll have to check with the city, maybe someone there knows. It would explain why this land was never developed.

This arrow shaped rock on the top of the monument is a nice touch.

There is also a large rock circle on the ground which often signifies a grave site.

And up on the hill, I spot this hunting blind.

Unfortunately, I didn't call my friend who lives in this country club and so I don't have permission to be here today. I'm going to high tail it back to La Quinta before the golf ranger comes and throws me out. But if anyone reported somebody walking around the golf course today, just remember: the name is Biff.