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.

Evening Soul

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY FIVE

More often than not I hike alone. I enjoy the solitude, the time to think, soaking in the beauty, serenity and strength of desert landscape. Sometimes, however, there are moments of such sublimity and grace that it's a shame that they cannot be shared with someone else, a person you love. Tonight was one of those nights. I am only sorry that my pictures cannot do it justice.

Sometimes it is the physical exertion that makes a hike enjoyable, while other times it is the scenery, tonight it was the temperature. Every cell of my skin soaked in the absolute perfection that surrounded it. The intense heat of summer has finally come to an end.

After yesterday's long hike, a short and flat hike to Willis Palms was just what I needed. Instead of hiking to the Palms themselves, though, I climbed the hill behind them from the backside up an old abandoned and eroded road that is now used as a trail.

The sun is setting as I get to the top of the hill.

A concrete slab rests where a homestead once stood.

And while no one now lives here, in some ways it feels like home, the place I belong at this moment.

The moon rises and brings its magical light.

As the last light of day falls on the hills in the distance and the moon kisses it goodnight I head home to those I love. My only wish is that they were here instead.

Outback Outhouse

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY

This morning I was in a hurry to get out of the house and get my son to school. In my haste, I left my camera at home. If the pictures don't look as crisp as normal it is because they were shot on my phone. I hate when I do that but it couldn't be helped.

After dropping my son off at school, I drove over to Willis Palms near the San Andreas Fault. It is part of the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve and obviously someone doesn't like the fact that you cannot hunt there.

The way to make sure your signs stay nice is to put them a little further from the road.

Willis Palms is just a short hike from 1000 Palms Canyon Road. It's flat and a nice place to take the family. There are some options for other hikes in the area but today I just keep it simple. I don't have time for complicated today.

Inside the oasis, it's like you're walking in the jungle. I wish I'd brought a machete because the vegetation is thick in here.

There is plenty of surface water here so it's easy to see why the palms thrive in this location.

This sign has seen its better days.

Maybe they need to do a little restoration of the Habitat Restoration sign.

I get near the end of the trail and notice something up on the hill behind the oasis. It looks like a building of some sort.

It's an outhouse. There is a trail leading uphill from it and some home foundations. I guess they put it lower because a certain substance always flow downhill.

They've got the hole blocked off so no one can fall in. But if you've really gotta go, I guess it'd work in a pinch.

I follow the deep trench of a trail uphill, hoping I don't meet a rattler on my way. I'm still here so obviously I didn't.

You get a nice view of the oasis from the top.
There is also a view of what's left of some home foundations. This had to have been a terrific place to live. You have ample water (although no indoor plumbing, it seems), incredible views and cool breezes. At least on days like today.

My extra explorations put my a few minutes behind schedule and I have to run all the way back to my Jeep. Luckily, it's flat, like I said and the wind is at my back. I've really been taking advantage of this terrific weather we've been having in the desert and I hope it keeps on as long as possible. There are too many good places still left to explore before I'm driven to higher elevations. Plus, how many hikes have their own outhouse?