The Valley of The Shadow of Death

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIX

Hiking in the desert in the summer can be deadly. Three people have died on the Lykken Trail in Palm Springs so I gave a great deal of thought to going there this afternoon. All three hikers died due to the heat on the trail and we know two were descending during the heat of the day. I would not repeat their mistake.

There were large thunderclouds over Mount San Jacinto but they didn't bring any rain. Without any rain to cool things down the temperature at the start of my hike was 105º. But by late afternoon the trail is completely in the shadow of Mount San Jacinto.

The trail climbs up a series of switchbacks and it is a popular trail so it is easy to follow.

There are also numbers and white dots painted on the the rocks that have been there for as many years as I have been hiking this trail.

The switchbacks continue up the hill and there are a few sections where people have cut them. Cutting switchbacks is a major cause of trail erosion and should be discouraged.

After hiking a ways up the trail I come to a trail sign. That's one weird thing I've found about trails out here. There are several where you have to hike a mile or more before you come to a trail sign of any kind.

Of course, it might be a good thing this sign is not at the beginning of the trail. They spelled the name of the trail wrong. It's Lykken, not Lyken.

If it weren't enough to have three deaths this summer, we also have a reminder of someone else's death.

There's a large rock pile at the intersection of the Lykken Trail and the Museum Trail.

It's at this point that the Skyline Trail starts its climb up San Jacinto.

The warning is probably a little exaggerated as far as the time goes--it's never taken me longer than six hours--but it correct in regards to water. There is none nor is there any shade. Due to that, it is necessary to carry between 4-6 quarts of water just to make it. And once you start, there's no going back as the hiker deaths have shown us this summer.

The trail continues on past Tachevah Canyon, aka Dry Falls, but I won't be going there today.

The Museum Trail leads down to some picnic tables and a great view overlooking Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

A view from near the picnic tables.

By waiting til the sun is behind the mountain limits the amount of time I can spend on the trail so I've got to get back to the trailhead before dark. I don't think this moon is going to help me at night.

Sunday Stroll

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN

I wish I had more Sundays off, especially during football season. But, alas, I work in the hotel industry and Sundays are a busy day for us. I cannot remember the last time I took Sunday off so I decided to take it easy on my hike instead. OK, easy for me.

The Southern part of the South Lykken Trail starts near this welcoming sign and if I didn't know any better I'd think I shouldn't hike here. Keeps the crowds down.

Here's a little trail side memorial. Is the person buried here or did they die here? If not, then this is not an appropriate place for their memorial. Just like those people who turn their vehicle into a rolling tombstone by plastering a memorial on their car window. Have a little respect for the dead, please.

About 1/2 a mile up the road you get to the actual trail.

One thing hiking in the desert does is make hiking elsewhere easy. Desert trails go UP! I like the no-nonsense nature of a lot of our trails because you gain elevation quickly.

Gaining elevation quickly is good because it gives you access to great views. I guess that's why they have a Vista Point. I don't know who Simonetta Kennett is or why they named this place for her. Maybe I need to start putting signs with my name around when I go hiking.

The view certainly is nice. And the picnic tables are a nice touch.

During my short little afternoon stroll, I came upon three signs bearing people's names. I guess we all want to be remembered so I'm going to make a request. After I'm gone, don't put any signs up bearing my name or build any shrines or put my name on your car. Just name a mountain after me. This one would be OK. To start.

And a couple picnic tables on top would be OK, too.

It's LICK-in, not LIKE-in.

DAY EIGHTY NINE

Carl Lykken was a Palm Springs pioneer. He came to the desert and partnered in a general store in 1913. He brought the town its first telephone and first post office of which he was the postmaster from 1927-1930. A trail honoring him runs almost the entire length of the city of Palm Springs. The trail has two sections and three trailheads. I hiked on the South Lykken and started off of Mesquite Drive, near the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor's Center.

To access the trail, turn off of Highway 111 onto Mesquite Drive and head toward the mountains. While the trailhead is near the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor's Center, there is no trail parking there. You have to park on the street on Mesquite and walk up about 1/4 mile to the trail.

If you want to visit Tahquitz Canyon, it's $12.50. If you've never been there, it is probably worth the money. I've been but I'll probably take the kids one day once we save up enough cans and bottles to be able to pay for it. The admission includes a guided tour so you can learn about the history of the canyon and see some archaeological sites.

As with all Desert Riders trails, there is a nice sign at the trailhead.

After heading up the trail a bit, you are able to look back and see the Visitor's Center. There are only a couple of exhibits and some fake Indian trinkets for sale at the Center but it's probably worth ten minutes of your time.

The trail switchbacks up the hill and, while it is never really very steep, gains elevation fairly quickly.

You get very nice views from the trail looking south toward the Indian Canyons.

A little higher up you get to a spot where you can look directly into Tahquitz Canyon. Don't get too enamored with the view, however, because if you make a wrong step here, it's straight down a few hundred feet.

The highlight of Tahquitz Canyon is Tahquitz Falls. It's about 60 feet tall and has a large pool at the base although you can't see that from here.

By rotating 180º, I get a very nice view of Palm Springs.

At the high point of the trail are these nice picnic tables. There are a number of tables on various Desert Riders trails but these are the nicest.

Thanks to the Coachella Valley Hiking Club.

The area is named for Josie Johnson but I have no idea who that is. The trail continues on to its southern terminus near Murray Canyon Drive but this is a good turn around point. Unless you have a car shuttle, you will need to walk a couple of miles on the sidewalk to return to your car. If I enjoyed walking on sidewalks, I'd be doing the Bump and Grind.

On the way down, you can look over and see the North Lykken Trail that leads the Skyline and the Museum Trail. But that'll have to wait for another day.