Scouting for Gordon Trail access

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN

Part of being a good navigator is not only knowing which way to go but knowing which way not to go. Today I become a much better navigator.

I set out to see if I could find an easy way to access the Gordon Trail, which goes from Palm Springs to Caramba Camp in upper Tahquitz Canyon and then on to Idyllwild. This trail was used in the 30s but access has been cut off by the Andreas Club, a private community on the mountain north of Andreas Canyon. I'm trying to find another way to get to the trail so I hiked out toward this canyon.

I get about 100 yards into the hike and abruptly come upon a stout barbed wire fence and a sign informing me that I'm not welcome. It's probably Andreas Club property. Those people are killing me.

So I went into the drainage of Os Wit Canyon and decide to try to get to the ridge from here.

If I were treasure hunting I'd know where to dig.

I angle up toward the mountain trying to find the best way to reach the ridge.

Maybe this trail will take me somewhere I want to go.

It only takes me part of the way and I veer off the trail but it's obvious someone's been up here before.

I continue up to what may or may not be the best way but unless rocks automatically stack upon boulders someone put this here for a reason.

Although there's no discernible route I keep going up . I don't think there's a best way really. If there is, I'm probably not on it.

I get to where I can look down upon the canyon that I wanted to originally go up and think it'd be a better way. I'll have to figure out another point of access.

But for now I have to get down before dark. This is not terrain that I want to be stuck in after dark. I won't have time for any more pictures but next time I come I'm going to plan on being up here for eight hours instead of just two so I can finally find the best way to access the Gordon Trail. I've already discovered the ways not to go.

No Where To Go But Up

Took a nice little hike in Palm Springs today.  I was looking to see if I could find a somewhat easy access point to get on an old trail called the Gordon Trail.  No luck. 

I did hike up a very nice canyon that ends at a waterfall which had just a trickle of water coming down it.  Although the canyon does not have a name on any map, I have been told it is called Os Wit Canyon.  This is supposed to be an Indian name meaning wild cat or bobcat.  Although I did not see any wildcats, I did come across three guys hiking with dogs.   Other than that I had the canyon all to myself.

I took a few pictures.

Maybe this sign was part of the reason I didn't see a lot of hikers in the area.  I guess it could be translated: "Little used trail".

Oddly enough, just about a 1/2 mile up from the previous sign I came upon this sign.  Now why would any one put a No Trespassing sign just down from a well used trailhead?  Liability, perhaps?  Maybe the Flood Control District wants plausible deniability if someone gets hurt hiking on their land.  They could just say, "We are not responsible for anything that happens to trespassers".

 

A view up the canyon.  The Gordon Trail is somewhere to the left of the big white rock outcropping.

This is the view from deep in the canyon looking up at the North Face of the rock (called Eagle's Rest).  You can't really get there from where I am.  It is probably about 1500 feet higher than I am at this point.

This is the waterfall.  There was just the slightest trickle of water and a lot of algae growing on the rocks.  I bet it's pretty in the spring but I was quite happy I brought plenty of water with me and did not need to avail myself to what I am sure was some very tasty spring water.

I didn't find a path to get to the Gordon Trail today but it was a great little hike that I hope to repeat after some winter rains.