Water Canyon

DAY THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY FOUR

This morning my schedule forced me to get up early and do my hike before taking Nikolas to school. I don't like it this early but you do what you gotta do.

I don't often enjoy it but the sunrise sure is purdy.

I hiked up to some water tanks yesterday so today I headed over to another spot where water collects to see how it looks. Over twenty years ago when I hiked this trail it was faint and rarely used. Now, there's a sign and a fair amount of traffic although this time of day it's pretty deserted.

Kahlua and I have the place to ourselves.

One of these days I'm going to follow this canyon to the end but today we're just going to see if there's any water.

Someone has built this little dam but with a sandy bottom there's no chance for any water to stay for long.

Above this first dry waterfall is a tank that should have some water.

There's a significant amount of water in this tank and Kahlua says it's really tasty, too.

There may be more water further up this canyon but Kahlua, while a good hiker, isn't much of a rock climber so we'll have to stop here.

Alive Again

DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY EIGHT

I went to the Living Desert today for the first time since summer started. They close down the hiking area during summer to insure that no tourists die out there. It's probably a good idea.

The sign points out to the hiking trails but you have to make a little detour to get there.

They're doing a little project and you have to make your way around it.

I don't remember this but maybe it was because it wasn't too hot when I was last here but I think every trailhead in the desert should have misters.

The Living Desert has animals that aren't part of any exhibit. This Snowy Egret is probably just here to enjoy the misters as well.

This is so tempting. I probably wouldn't think too much about climbing it but when they put out a sign telling me not to it, makes me really want to.

I get to where the trail forks and head to the canyon route.

One of the volunteers is doing a little bit of maintenance in the canyon, lopping some of the Catclaw Acacia. More needs to be done because I still catch my arm on one.

The canyon hike here is really fun with lots of rock hopping. Later this fall I want to follow it to the end but don't have time today. I've got to get to work.

On the way back I get a nice view of the mountains and think about how cool it must be today up on San Jacinto.

The golf cart makes its way back to the main part of the park and I really wish I could get a ride. TAXI!! Oh well, I guess I've just hike back and really, I don't mind. The weather is getting to the point where it's nice to visit the Living Desert and the train will be opening in a week. I think next time I'll bring the kids.