A Hike To The Palm Canyon Oasis

As the sun rose this morning, the mountains beyond the campsite took on a colourful hue.

 

After finishing showers and breakfast we left our campsite at about 8:30 AM, and drove a half mile to the end of the campground to the Palm Canyon Trailhead. It was time for a hike! To have access to this trail is one reason we decided to camp in the State Campground last night. This is a 3 mile round trip hike, partly sandy trail, and partly climbing over rocks. It started out easy sandy trail.

 

There were lots of small desert plants in bloom, as well as this larger bush,

 

with beautiful red flowers.

 

And as we got further into the canyon, we came across beautiful green bushes.

 

Notice how this guy matches his backgound!

 

We were hiking up along side a dry creek bed. But eventually, the creek bed became moist, the first sign of water in the canyon.

 

It wasn't too far along before there was a flowing creek and the beginnings of lush vegitation.

 

It was just a little way after this that Doreen gave up. She sat down in a shady spot and said "That's as far as I'm going!" She was about 1/4 mile from this oasis, but she could see it from a distance and that was good enough for her!

 

But I persevered, and made it right up to the oasis.

 

On the way back, we saw some animal life.

 

These big horn sheep were really a bonus! We didn't really expect to be forturnate enough to see these.

 

After returning to Miss Travelaire, who was holding the fort with Tanner dog (poor Tanner wasn't allowed on the trail), we set off down a short distance south of Borrego, to a place called Blair Valley (N33 02 06.7, W116 24 30.6) where there is a free place to camp at a little higher elevation with a little cooler temperatures. The desert here is a little different with green grasses between the plentiful mesquite bushes.

 

On the way out of Borrego Springs we drove past Los Jilberto's, but resisted the temptation to stop in for another Mexican lunch!

 

When you are in the Southwest, you are never far from the sound and sight of the US military. Here's a Marine helicopter that was flying around our campsite this afternoon.