Thursday, December 15, 2011

WE HIT THE TRAIL ONCE AGAIN – INDIO, CA

Driving through Palm DesertThe sun began to peek through the clouds as we left Yucaipa after a day of steady rain; our drive to Indio was short and pleasurably uneventful, so calm that none of the big windmills were turning as we traveled southeast on I-10.  We were surprised to find it was still sprinkling as we settled into a site in the nearly deserted RV parking lot at the Indio Elks Lodge (click here to read our review and see photos).  Since the weather seemed iffy for a hike, and since it was lunch time, we jumped into the Jeep and drove a short distance to one of our favorite local restaurants, Fisherman’s Market and Grill

Fisherman’s Market is all about fresh seafood, and has an extensive list of broiled and grilled selections.  I admit, though, that all we ever eat here is fried food!  Delicious, crispy, deep-fried shrimp for me (in a basket, as shrimp-n-chips, or in tacos), golden fried catfish with chips for Odel.  This time, we had a shrimp basket appetizer, fish tacos for me and catfish and chips for him.  What delicious decadence!   We ordered too much, ate it ALL, and revised our dinner menu from salad and pot pies to salad and nothing. 

The next day was a different story.

Trail down to Palm CanyonWhen we stayed in Desert Hot Springs last year, I decided it was finally time to visit Palm Canyon on the Agua Caliente reservation.  We’d never been there to hike, mainly because they charge an entrance fee (why pay when there are so many great free hikes in the area?).  The day before our planned hike, a strong storm swept in, flooding the usually dry washes that cross so many of the roads in the area and sending unusually high water through Palm Canyon.  So, scratch that plan!

Yesterday was a completely different story  – dry, sunny, and calm.  Off we went, a 20-plus mile drive along Hwy 111, passing through many of the desert communities in the greater Palm Springs area.  Special attention is paid to landscaping the wide boulevards in these wealthy enclaves: palm trees, bougainvillea, roses in bloom in the winter sunshine; fountains and waterfalls gush and trickle at gated entrances to walled communities.  What a beautiful drive!

At the reservation’s toll booth on South Palm Canyon Drive, we paid $16 ($9 for me, $7 for over 62 year old Odel), obtained a map of the multitude of short and long trails we could hike, then followed the narrow road into the neck of Palm Canyon.  The large parking lot at the Trading Post was less than half full, and we quickly found the trailhead.

Odel among the palms.

Climbing out of the palms on the Victor trail.

Odel on the Palm Trail Leaving the palms behind on the Victor Trail

What a grand hike!  Though we’ve been walking regularly, we haven’t been hiking much, so chose a shorter hike – a 3 mile loop from the Trading Post, alongside the stream under the shade of the palms in the canyon (Palm Canyon Trail), then up onto an arid ridge (the Victor Trail) with views into Palm Canyon and across the valley to the high peaks above Palm Springs.  The stream burbling through the shade of the palms attracted flocks of birds, and the air was filled with chirps, cheeps, and the soft chuckles of quail.  The hike went too quickly; guess we aren’t as out of shape as we feared.  :)

High above the canyon, soaking up the sun.

Back at the oasis, a cool pool.

High above the palms Palms reflected in the water

We’ll be in Indio two more days, mostly stocking up on supplies for next week – 6 days in Anza Borrego State Park, woo-hoo – and our Christmas dinner.  Costco and Trader Joes are both within a few miles of the Indio Elks Lodge, one of the perks of staying here.  Today: back to the Fisherman’s Market, where I might – just MIGHT – try something that is NOT fried. 

14 comments:

  1. Fish Tacos! Yum....the best. We love Borrego Springs and Anza Borrego State Park.

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  2. We'll see you at the Fisherman's Market in a few hours. We've checked the menu online and are having a real problem in deciding what to order!

    I've never tried Catfish - I just can't get past the look of those ugly things!!

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  3. There is a very enjoyable (and somewhat challenging) Palm Canyon hike that originates at the Anza Borego State park that we enjoyed very much a couple of years ago. I don't remember the distance to the oasis, but it took us about 3+ hours round trip. Check it out while you are there.

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  4. Lovely pictures. We loved Palm Canyon. And Borrego Springs is beautiful. What a treasure.
    I LOVE fish tacos!

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  5. Got too much and ate it ALL sounds just like me! Glad to know I'm in such good company.

    What a specatacular hike! Anza Borego State Park sounds like a wonderful place for a holiday!

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  6. I know it's been a while since we've hiked Palm Canyon, and that was before the tribe began charging a fee. Beautiful! Which campground do you stay in at Anza Borrego? I love it there too. When you hike up into the palm canyon there, you can often see bighorn sheep. But, you probably know that.

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  7. I'm with Odel and the catfish...Tonight we are having fried clams and mussels, courtesy of Mrs. Paul:-)

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  8. Carole, when we are in the Borrego Springs area we either boondock over on the east side of town (free but often very windy) or stay at the RV campground in the state park (not free, not windy, and has FHU). From the RV campground, we can walk to the palm oasis. Coming back down that trail one day, wandering in the wash, a small flock of bighorn sheep came running over the ridge, right towards me. I closed my eyes, squeezed off a shot with my camera (I had been readying it to take a photo before the stampede), and shivered as they passed on both sides of me. Exciting! I've done that hike a couple times since then without so much as a glimpse of a bighorn.

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  9. That was one place we wanted to visit but didn't make it. It will be high on our list for next trip. Your hike sounds great and I enjoyed the pictures.

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  10. Love that area! Looks like you guys got a fabulous hike out of it.
    Nina

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  11. Love that area! Looks like you guys got a fabulous hike out of it.
    Nina

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  12. what a great hike...beautiful country..and the food sounds great too....never tried fish tacos ..but it will now be on my list..have a great weekend..

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  13. I used to live in Indio...and love to see pictures of our home town. Glad you were finally able to get in some good hiking.

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  14. Sounds like great hiking! We'll look forward to hearing more about the Borrego Springs hiking. Hugs, J&C

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