Cedar Spring Trail, Garner Valley

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE

This afternoon I left the desert and went on one of my favorite little hikes to Cedar Springs. It leaves Garner Valley and climbs up over the Desert Divide to a little spring high in the San Jacinto Mountains.

You start toward the end of Morris Ranch Road and are quickly met by several signs. I think it's obvious that the Oak Grove Trail is closed to the general public.

This gate leads to the Cedar Springs Trail and is the first of four you pass through.

Blah, blah, blah

It's nice that the landowners allows people to cross their property.

This sign is new. I don't think it is really necessary but putting it here gave someone a job and we need more of those these days.

Another new sign and this one is en Español.

Yet more signage. Since I didn't start hiking until after 4:30 I think I'll limit my adventure to going to Cedar Springs. Since the Toll Gate closes at 5:00 I don't think I'll make it there in time.

Another of the gates. Cattle have been known to roam these hills so it's important to close all these gates when passing through them.

There's a picnic table here for the unadventurous hiker. It is only about twenty minutes from the trailhead to get here.

Only adventurous hikers should proceed beyond this point. I have a water bottle and a camera so I'm prepared.

They have another mileage sign because the one I came to 1/2 mile back probably wasn't enough.

At the top of the trail, you cross the Pacific Crest Trail and we have yet another sign. This one has seen its better days, though. The wind up here has beaten it up a bit.

The view from up here is fantastic with the Coachella Valley thousands of feet below.

After a quick mile of downhill, you come to Cedar Springs.

It is a different world from the surrounding chaparral and oak woodland. It's more like a forest here.

It is also a popular campsite.

It has running water.

Although I don't think they have to worry about people washing in this basin.

Or this one.

Near the campground is one of my favorite lunch spots in the San Jacintos. The view is amazing.

And with four bedrock mortars like this one, it's obvious that I am not the first to enjoy this view during a lunch or dinner break.

Cedar Springs is a great little excursion for an afternoon or overnight trip. I ran into a Pacific Crest Trail hiker on his way to Canada who stopped for some water and to enjoy the serenity of the area. It is easily one of the nicest water stops in Southern California and a fun little day hike.

Twelve Circles

Day Fifty Three

Palm Springs averages about three hundred and fifty sunny days per year.  Today was one of the other fifteen.  It didn't rain nor was it windy.  It was just overcast, a perfect day for hiking.

I headed over to the Garstin Trail, which I have used several times to climb Murray Hill.  It's a great hike that offers what I think is the best view in Palm Springs.  A few years ago, when I was in better shape, I made it from the trailhead to the summit in under an hour.  Unfortunately, I am not in that kind of shape now and my time is somewhat limited so I'll be taking a different route today.

There's a nice, new, fancy sign on the trail.  I've never done the Henderson Trail.  I'll have to do that some day.

The Garstin Trail gains elevation pretty rapidly and you can quickly see what kind of views of the San Jacinto Mountains this hike offers.

I can look up and see Murray Hill.  It is the tallest point but will have to wait for another day when I have more time and maybe am in a bit better shape.

I come to my first trail junction and have to decide which way to go.  The Wildhorse Trail and Clara Burgess will lead me to Murray Hill but I decide to go the Shannon and Berns route instead.

A not so new trail sign for the Berns Trail.

Just off the Berns Trail is this large rock monument on the top of an unnamed little peak.

Looking down, I spot these rock circles on the hill.

Going down for a closer look, I have no idea what they are here for.  They could be some kind of shrine or some sort of solar compass or just something built by someone who has way more time than I do.  I count them and find eleven.

After leaving the rock circles, I can see the Bob Hope House and all the other homes on the hill below it.

The Shannon Trail is on a very narrow ridge which is steep on all sides.  

After dropping down rather quickly, I come to the Henderson Trail and it's not at all new trail sign.  I guess today will be the day I hike this trail for my first time.  This trail is obviously quite popular with the equestrian set.  I see more hoof prints and horse crap than I have ever seen on a trail.

And there are far more hoof prints in the wash below.

I really enjoyed doing this loop.  You get some great views and some good exercise.  And while I didn't have time to build a little rock circle, I did manage to do my own circle around the mountain.  I'll let that be my shrine in footprints.

I'll always know where they are!

January 12, 2009

Day Twelve

In the cult classic movie, Harold and Maude, Bud Cort (Harold) makes an arcade memento that reads, "Harold Loves Maude".  When he gives it to Ruth Gordon (Maude) she reads it, replies, "And Maude Loves Harold" and proceeds to throw it into the water of the bay they are sitting near.  Harold, aghast, asks Maude why she did that.  She tells him, "Now I'll always know where it is."

That is how I feel about my keys.  I will always know where they are.

Lost Key Hill

After I failed to find my keys, I had to go over to my sister's place to do a little tech support. On the way, I saw the sign for this trail in Rancho Mirage. I've never done this trail.  I soon find out why.

 Sounds promising: The Bighorn Overlook Trail.  Impressive.

At the top the view is less than impressive.  You have a wonderful view of Rancho Mirage's finest trailer park.  Since Rancho Mirage is known as the "Playground of Presidents" I have to wonder which President vacationed here.  I wonder if Jimmy Carter's brother Billy had a vacation home here.

Someone decided it was a good idea to build a little shade structure up here and someone else a little ring of rocks.  I think I now have a new least favorite hike in the desert.

The most impressive view is that of the empty Ritz Carlton Hotel.  Behind the hotel are Apache Peak, Antsell Rock and Southwell Peak.  This way off view of the San Jacinto Mountains is about the only thing to recommend on this hike.  I guess it would be nice for toddlers or grandmas with low expectations.