Indian Canyons of the Palm Springs Area

Probably by now, you’re getting bored with all the water in the desert stories.  But I honestly have to tell you that finding any water is such a rare occurrence when all one can see gazing out at the barren landscape is stark, hot, dry, sandy, rocky imposing nothingness.  The absence of lush plant life, except for the hardy thorn laden plants one comes across, makes it even more apparent how precious it is.  The presence of thorns helps protect plants from being consumed for it.

The view approcahing Indian Canyons

Coming from the Sierra Nevada area, I am used to an abundance of the magical wet stuff.  There are endless streams, rivers and lakes to jump in, indeed, bathing and swimming in wild waters is one of the most rejuvenating activities I’ve ever partaken in.  In the desert, if I can find the elusive puddle to dunk in, I’m having a party!

Approaching the "tollgate".

Today we decided to check out the famed Indian Canyons in the Palm Springs area.  Initially, I was resistant to going there, as I read there was a toll gate that charges $8 per person to enter.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like paying money to go hiking or enter a national park.  The motivating factor that made me go there was the byline: Palm Canyon is considered the world’s largest California Fan Palm Oasis, and one of the most talked about Palm Springs attractions.  Considering how magical the other Oasis’ have been, $8 seemed a small price to pay, and as it turns out, money very well spent.

Ancient Home of the Cahuilla Indians

Apparently, it is land deeded to the Cahuilla Indians in 1876, a peaceful band that made these desert areas home.  Water is obviously the lifeline in the desert, and the Indian Canyons had it in abundance.  So far, we have visited Oasis’ that exist on underground springs brought up through earthquake faults.  The massive Palm Oasis’ that exist in these canyons are also being fed by snow runoff tumbling down through endless twisted canyons from the tops of the towering San Jacinto mountain range.

Abundant wildflowers everywhere!

The Indian Canyon reservation is made up of three distinct canyons, Palm Canyon, Murray Canyon, and Andreas Canyon.  On our hike today we decided to venture into Murray Canyon.  It was labeled as more moderate, and wanting to ditch the masses that had flooded the Canyons today for Easter seemed a good choice.  Originally, we had planned to go into a more remote area labeled as strenuous, but after hiking a bit, realized we forgot the water filter, and didn’t have enough water,(again), to make that trek.

Water From The Get Go

The first line of Palms indicating the stream and trail.

The trail started out in open desert with vast views of the towering San Jacinto mountains.  The wildflowers were blooming forth in massive abundance.  Soon we reached the first Fan Palms and crossed a small creek feeding them.  This wasn’t a small trickle or puddle of water, but more a continuously flowing stream, the most I’ve seen in this area.  The trail wound through the trail of Palms that were growing in and alongside the abundant, cool, flowing, waters.

Water was in abundance.

We continued onwards following the tell tale path of Palms, following the stream ever onward, through towering rock-lined winding canyons that got taller and more interesting as we advanced.  Evidence of prior Indian habitation was to be found on the trail, as one can be sure, this was one of their main hangouts.

The primitive kitchen...

Reaching The Prize

After a few miles, we arrived at the “end” of the trail, or so designated to keep people from venturing further upwards into the steep crevices that housed the upper reaches of the streams home, and were greeted with an inviting pool, fairly deep in the rock lined walls around us.  Of course, we decided to celebrate with a couple of hardy dunks in honor of the past Nativs who inhabited these areas.

The pool at trails end.

On the way back retracing our steps, we partook in another dip in a deepish pool.  There were an endless number of pools to dunk in if you wished.  There is a large amount of water flowing through these canyons.  The interesting thing is that if you look at the area from a slight distance, it looks like nothing’s out there as everything is hidden in the endless folds.  This has been our typical experience in the desert.  You get to the gems by getting out, if you look from a distance, you won’t see anything worth exploring!

Wild water rocks like no other...

We’re Coming Back!

It is unfortunate that this is what has become of the Indian Tribes, reduced to mere gate keepers to one of the most beautiful places the desert has to offer.  On a positive note, I find it interesting, or perhaps an oversight of the U.S. government, that they gave the Indians the Indian Canyon area with its abundance of water.  They must not have been thinking clearly!  Pay the $8, you won’t be disappointed. We’ll be back to explore the star attraction of this area , Palm Canyon!

The view into famed Palm Canyon...

Tags: Native American, oasis, palm springs, wild water