The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente, part of the Cahuilla people (pronounced Kaw-we-ah). With an abundant water supply, the plants, animals and Cahuilla Indians thrived. They grew crops of melons, squash, beans and corn. They gathered plants and seeds for food, medicines and basket weaving. The area has three canyons, Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon and all are open to the public with hiking trails and picnic areas.
This large stand of Washingtonia palms (California Fan Palm) is in Palm Canyon - a beautiful oasis!
We chose the East Fork Trail and did a loop that was about 5 miles.
The palms stand in contrast to the sharp rock formations.
Some of the trees showed evidence of fire.
Soon the trail left the oasis and climbed the hills.
Beautiful wildflowers are in bloom. The colors and scents were amazing.
It was VERY WINDY - in spots we would be completely sheltered from the wind and it would be HOT. When the trail would crest a hill, the wind was so strong you would think you were going to fly away.
The pictures do not capture the view, the far mountains were dark green and kind of lush - made you think of the alps. This picture shows part of the trail. There are no trees - just cactus and scrub brush.
Part of the trail was in a wash - kind of hard to walk in the sand but a nick break from climbing.
Beavertail - from the prickly pear species. The pads look smooth enough to touch and you might think they don't have spines, however, they have glochids - miniscule bristles with wickedly barbed tips. A thick layer of wax gives the pads their gray-blue color.
Teddy Bear Cholla
This is one teddy bear you better not hug. The joints detach and easily and latch onto anything that touches them. The joints can re-root, and grow into new plants.
See the trail?
Not sure what this one is called - isn't it cool?
Maybe a barrel cactus.
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