Wilhelm Palms to Willis Palms

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN

Today was another of my easier hikes because I'm resting up for some harder adventures next week. Just because it's easy, though, doesn't mean it's not enjoyable. This morning I went to a ceremony at my son's school because he made honor roll (way to go, Harrison!) and after that I headed over to the Coachella Valley Preserve. I want to do a loop trip there of about eight miles but there's one section of the loop that I've never done. That is what I did this morning.

Pulling into the parking lot I was surprised and delighted to see about thirty cars. During the summer month I was often here alone. It's nice people are enjoying this area but I can guarantee that no one will be doing the same hike I will be on.

There are Nature Hikes now on Friday mornings at 8:30. It's not really my kind of thing but if any of you are interested here's the schedule.

There's a college group getting a tour and a talk about the geology of the area. They're hearing about the San Andreas Fault as I walk by.

I study the map but it doesn't show the way I plan on going so I guess I've just wing it. It won't be the first time.

I head south from the oasis and walk out near the road. I move toward the hillside as soon as possible and find a trail. This doesn't look like a manufactured trail but is more like an Indian trail or a use trail.

I climb a small hill and find that the trail is well defined and easy to follow. It drops down into the wash that heads over to Willis Palms.

There's the palm oasis.

The Willis Palms is a large oasis that's readily visible from Ramon Road or the 1000 Palms Canyon Road. There's a shorter hike that gets here but the way I came today will be part of a larger trip later this month or sometime next month depending on when I get time.

I head back to the Wilhelm Grove and wish I had enough time to do the loop today because the weather is perfect for it. That's OK because the weather will be pretty much perfect for the next six months.

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.

Taking the troops on a march

Took my son, Nikolas, and five of the neighbor kids on a little hike today.  A little hike for me, that is.  For the kids it was like the Bataan Death March over the landscape of the moon.

We went to the 1000 Palm Oasis and hiked to the McCallum Grove.  It's like a mile.  Of course, when you're five years old one mile seems like fifty.  At the McCallum Grove there is a little pond (or a big giant lake to the kids)  which is home to the Desert Pupfish and some crayfish that someone threw in there.  The boys were very excited to see a "crab" and I'm sure their parents will be wonder where on earth I took them when they hear about it.

I have to learn to take more pictures because when I hike I never take enough. I'm too busy enjoying the experience and the surroundings and the company.  I'll try to get better.

Here are a few of the pictures I did take:

I didn't get any pictures of the Grove itself or of the "lake" or of the "crab".  Sorry.  But here we are climbing a hill after leaving the grove.  Johnnie, age 5, was already starting to drag a bit and so Mark gave him a lift.  I was enlisted into that service later.

Here the boys have made it to the top of the hill overlooking the McCallum Grove (on the left).  

Hey!  What's this pile of rocks doing here?

Buh-bye.

Inside the Palm Tree cabin in the Wilhelm Grove, all decorated for Christmas (can you guess which kid is mine?).  This is a fascinating place and I would recommend it to everyone.  There are some really fun hikes to take and it has a very interesting history.  On my next trip, I promise to take more pictures of the landscape, the trees and the pond.

The kids had fun, didn't grumble too much and I'm sure their parents will be grateful when they want to go to bed at about 8 o'clock tonight.