Goal for today: Hike into Palm Canyon - approx. 1/2mi from Ten Ewe Mountain
Out on Hwy 95 at milepost 85 one can turn off the smooth, hard asphalt onto the graded, graveled and slightly rutted road, just wide enough for two cars to pass without touching while driving East toward the KOFA mountain range in the KOFA National Wildlife Refuge (established 1939 to protect the desert Big Horn Sheep - which we are in constant search of finding - to date we are still in search mode) along 7 miles to the parking lot at the trailhead. It is a beautiful day, deceiting as the Sun is out, but the wind is blowing at a good clip making for a chilly but sunny trek.
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| Palm Canyon lies within them there hills |
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| the Sherpa prepares |
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| Timing is everything - much later and the Palms would have been in the shadows |
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Looking West from the trail.
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| A lone palm tree in another crevice. |
The trees are also known as California Palms - These palm trees are probably remnants from when this area was wetter and cooler than it is now. Though numbering less than 100, this handful of trees is among the only native palms in Arizona.
http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=22570.
We went in around noon time, good thing too - much later and the shadows would have swallowed up the trees into darkness. As it was we caught sight of them just about the time we saw the following sign:
probably the result of too many late afternoon hikers missing the viewing period when the Sun shines directly into the crevices where they reside.
The 1/2 mi loop trail is a well marked-easy hike. There is no rest area or restroom facility...the nearest ones being approximately 22 miles to Quartzsite, and that's from the main highway. Plan accordingly and have a great time. We did.
Ciao!
(additional photos in the side bar show to the right).
