They are camped near the
Eric and I brought our hiking poles and CamelBak hiking packs to learn how to comfortably use them. As experienced hikers, Dave and Kathy have a wealth of hiking equipment tips to share with us.
Dave, Kathy, Eric & I
stop at this Octollio &
read the Nature Trail
Guide.
Not all desert plants are cacti or succulents. This plant leafs out after a rainfall. During dry weather, the leaves turn to autumn colors and drop off.
After two days of rain to the
northwest, the creek bed
is flowing.
Kathy offers water to Dave.
Staying hydrated while
hiking is very important.
Eric bought Camelbak packs for us so we didn't have to carry a water bottle or stop to dig into a backpack for a drink. Dave told us that taking short breaks is as important as staying hydrated..
The shadows of clouds cross
the mountains we are hiking
between.
Eric & his hiking poles.
My shadow, as I hold them
in my left hand to take
this picture.
Immense pressure created the
outcrop that is tilted to the left.
Our Nature Trail Guide alerts
us to this mortero, or hole.
Cahuilla Indian Women ground
seeds here for centuries.
Cahuilla Indians who settled here had a reliable water source. The mountains provided shade during the day and sheltered them from the wind.
Dave found a nearby shelter.
It's very small.
Our hiking poles help steady
us on the rocky terrain.
I'm feeling confident.
The main reason that I haven't been interested in hiking in uneven terrain is the fear of falling.
This boulder is not like others
in the area.
It's an Erratic, from another
region.
These steps were constructed
by the Civilian Conservation
Corps during the Great
Depression to allow easier
access to Palm Canyon.
This staircase is part of the CCC's construction of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Eric & Kathy stand in the
narrow trail to the Palms.
The Palm seeds were dropped
by birds.
They happened to land in a
wet area between mountains
& the Palms grew & grew.
Eric takes this picture at the
turn around point of
today's hike.
Because of the hairy spines, I
think that this is a Cow's
Tongue Cactus, a form of
Prickly Pear Cactus.
The short white structures in the
distance are Yurts that local school
children stay in when they come to
Anza-Borrega Desert State Park to
learn about the region's history,
wildlife & geology.
distance are Yurts that local school
children stay in when they come to
Anza-Borrega Desert State Park to
learn about the region's history,
wildlife & geology.
We continue to use our hiking
poles over uneven terrain as
the hike comes to an end.
the hike comes to an end.
Dave and Kathy promised us refreshing beers and a hearty Turkey Gumbo and I don't want to be distracted by ripped, torn clothing or a swollen ankle.
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