Macomber Palms Ridge at Sunrise

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ONE

My work schedule required that I go out hiking before the sunrise. For some people this is the best part of the day. I, however, have retained my sanity and realize that God intended these hours for sleeping. Some days a little insanity is required and today was such a day. I set my alarm for 6 and rose while it was still dark. When the alarm went off I wondered if I'd died and gone to hell. I drove over to the Indio Hills and decided to do a little hike I last attempted in the summer. This is the location I encountered my one rattlesnake that I encountered this year. Rattlers shouldn't be a problem since the temperature was in the 30s.

The trails are very eroded in this area so I tried to access the ridge from the bottom but ran into a little problem.

At this point there's nowhere to go but up.

The sun has not yet crested the horizon but it is light enough to see. I was afraid that I'd have to spend part of this hike in the dark and I did enough of that last night.

Looking back toward Mount San Jacinto I can see that the sun has reached some portions of a valley. It is still and cool and I wish I were back in bed.

Finally, the sun decided to make an appearance and I start to feel it's actually OK to be awake.

The light hasn't filtered down to the canyon where I parked my Jeep but most of the area is starting to wake up.

At one time there was a very good trail here. I wonder who made it and why. There are sections of severe erosion but most of the trail is in superb shape. With just a little work, it could be usable for others besides me.

Up on the hilltop someone has built a little campsite. There are certainly better campsites around but if you're looking for solitude, nice views and no chance of starting a forest fire then this might just be the place for you.

Here's a section of the incredible erosion on this trail. It may look like the trail goes down to the left but it doesn't. It actually continues straight.

The light has finally touched to top of the palms and it's time to go home and get ready for work. I've already done my hike and haven't even had a cup of coffee. Maybe I have lost my sanity. That's OK. It's only temporary. Tomorrow, I'm sleeping in.

Wild Thing! I think I love you.

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR

What a crazy day! It took a full force commitment for me to get out and complete a hike today. First, I had to wait at home for Fed Ex to come and bring me a package. Naturally, it didn't come until the afternoon. Then, my brother brings his daughter over to play with the boys so I couldn't just up and leave. After that, they all want to go swimming so I took them over to my mother's house for a little pool time. It was then that I was able to break away.

My wife took our eldest son and a buddy to his baseball game in the Jeep so I was left with the mini van. I wanted to go and check out another oasis in the Indio Hills but couldn't drive all the way out there in the vehicle I had. Looks like I'm walking through the open desert.

I pass this power line road and think maybe I could drive up this. It looks pretty good. Then I think about how long I'd have to hear about it if I got the minivan stuck in the sand and am happy I left it on the road. It's kinda eerie walking under those things and hearing them buzz. I don't like it at all.

After walking a while, I come to a State Park sign. This area is slated to be closed with other State Parks due to the budget crisis. I don't know what good that will do; it doesn't seem like they spend much money out here.

Hiking toward the Palms I really wish I had the Jeep, for obvious reasons.

There is a big line of huge rocks blocking the wash. It has been placed there in order to keep people from driving all the way up to the Palms. It didn't work very well. There are plenty of tracks on the other side of the rocks. People just went around them. People always do. There is no one here to stop them.

The palms here at Macomber Palms are very healthy. There is plenty of new growth and while some of the older trees have lost their crowns, it appears that the oasis is growing. This is yet another oasis along the San Andreas Fault. There are several lining the Indio Hills.

Judging from the mesquite in the area, this must have been an important food gathering spot for the Indians. There is enough mesquite here to feed several families.

Several of the palms have been burned.

But there are also many palms that have beautiful full skirts and that are still in their natural state.

I don't know what difference it would make to close this area. It's wild, lawless and untamed, like deserts everywhere. That's what makes it charming.