Hidden Palms Oasis Loop

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY TWO

The Hidden Palms Oasis is one of many oases along the San Andreas Fault on the northern end of the Coachella Valley. It can be reached via a well marked trail from 1000 Palm Canyon Road. That's not the way I chose to get there, however. I went on an old Indian Trail that I discovered earlier this year. I then came back the main trail making for a nice little loop hike.

From the obvious parking area on 1000 Palms Canyon Road, follow the trail until you get to the base of the hill. Then, instead of going up the trail, go left and follow the wash along the hillside.

Continue past a marked trail until you see two trails heading diagonally up the hill on the left. Take the higher of the two trails. The terrain here is loose and rocky so be careful.

When you get to the top you may have to look around a bit for the trail but it's there.

A good thing to look for are rock piles like this one. There are several rock monuments along this trail. Last time here I counted over forty.

From the trail you can look over and see Horseshoe Palms. That will not be my destination today but you can make a larger loop and include this oasis time permitting.

Hidden Palms is tucked into this little canyon with the Coachella Valley in the background.

The oasis is very large and healthy.

And apparently I'm not the only one who feels it's a nice place to visit this afternoon.

The wind is blowing as it often does over in 1000 Palms. It makes for very pleasant hiking and after all those 100+ degree days I suffered through this summer I am enjoying it.

The coyote is probably here looking for dinner. I saw a Jack Rabbit on the trail over but he was too fast for me to get a picture and I'd imagine too fast for the coyote as well. He may just have to settle for some of the Palm fruit that is in abundance.

The trail back is much more traveled than the trail I took to get here. The trail I used to reach the oasis didn't have any footprints on it while this one is like I-10.

Except for the steps, of course.

No Longer Hidden

DAY SEVENTY SIX

A couple of months ago I set out to hike to Hidden Palms in the Coachella Valley Preserve. I never made it there because I got a late start and it got dark so I had to go back. Well, this morning I went back and made it to the oasis. It's a fairly easy hike and a huge oasis, larger than I imagined.

You start on Thousand Palms Canyon Road near the 1000 Palms Oasis and follow the trail that leads out to Pushwalla Palms.

There are a good amount of these Desert Dandelions along the way.

As well as some of these Desert Sunflowers

After climbing some steps you come to a clear trail junction and I'm off to Hidden Palms.

From the trail you can look over and see Horseshoe Palms

The Hidden Palm Oasis is HUGE. I think it is at least as big as the 1000 Palms Oasis although I don't take the time to count. Next time I'm at the Visitor's Center I'll ask them and see if they know. I'm sure one of the docents has taken the time to count the trees.

On the way back, there's a nice view of San Jacinto. Pretty soon I'll be doing a LOT of hiking up there.

On the way back I see a huge kettle of vultures circling in the sky. Obviously, there's something out there of interest. So far this year I've done all the oasis at the Preserve except the Pushwalla. Once I get a little extra time I'll do that. I want to get there before it gets too hot. I don't want to end up a as a meal for these guys.

Against The Wind

Day Twenty Seven

Today I went to Horseshoe Palms in the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve.  The trail starts off at the same trailhead that goes to both Hidden Palms and Pushawalla Palms.  Horseshoe Palms is in the middle of those two.

This sign is in the wrong place.  The wind blew it down and someone carried it here.

The trail gets up on the ridge and is very exposed to the wind.

Horseshoe Palms glistening in the sun. 

Hikers high on the ridge headed for Pushawalla Palms.

This parking lot was empty when I left.

Looking down the ridge toward the Wilhelm Grove at the 1000 Palms Oasis

It was WINDY on the ridge to the Palms and COLD.  OK, cold for here.  It was probably in the 50s.  I'll be back soon when I have time to make it all the way to Pushawalla Palms.  Hopefully, without the wind.