Training Hike #2: Indian Canyons

Our second training hike was in November, the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The plan was to have a little getaway in Palm Springs and take the Aerial Tram to Mountain Station at 8500 feet and hike to the top of Mt. San Jacinto at 10,834 feet (about 10 miles distance) for a little altitude training. Unfortunately it snowed the night before and we didn't really have snow clothes prepared, so we decided to check out the Indian Canyons instead.

We stayed at a little B&B called Casa Cody.  It's the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs, founded by the cousin of Buffalo Bill Cody.  I highly recommend it, but make reservations way in advance, as there are only 27 units and it sells out quickly.  The room we had was a little more expensive but had a fireplace next to the bed, a little kitchenette and swimming pools out the front and back doors.



One of many stone crossings on Murray Creek

Saturday morning we set out to explore the Indian Canyons and hopefully get a 10 mile hike in.  The Canyons were very close to where we were staying so it was very convenient.  We paid a day use fee of  $10 each at the tollgate and received a trail map.  We wanted to hike near water, so Murray Canyon Trail and Palm Canyon Trail were recommended.  We picked Murray Canyon trail, a 4 mile hike up and back that follows Murray Creek.  The trail crossed back and forth across the creek on stepping stones and was shaded by beautiful palm trees.  It was really lovely.

Three Sisters near end of Murray Canyon Trail



View of Murray Canyon from Coffman Trail

On the way back we turned off the Murray Canyon trail to the Coffman trail which was about a mile loop that connected back to the Murray Canyon trail farther down, so we decided to take that trail to increase our distance.  This trail took us up and away from Murray Creek along a ridge. 






Another trail, West Fork North Trail joined Coffman trail about 1/4 mile out and continued up the ridge.

A sign said it was 3 3/4 miles (to where?).  We decided to see how far we could get.  This trail had a pretty steep incline and we made it about 3 miles up before we had to turn around due to the rain, the lateness of the day and the Canyon's closing time.


View of Rainbow from West Fork North Trail

Speaking of the rain... it was raining in the mountains above us while we were hiking even though it was sunny in the valley.  Occasionally we caught a little spray blown over by the wind.  The effect of the weather was a huge rainbow that spanned the valley which we had a perfect veiw of for most of our hike!  November is a great time of year to hike the Indian Canyons, as the weather is cool but not too cold.


I think if we had continued we would have reached the West Fork Trail and would have ended up eventually at Palm Canyon.  We may try to do that hike at a later date.  It was really good training for up and down hill, although I don't know what the elevation gain was.

By the time we got back to the parking lot, the park was about to close.  We had walked continuousely for about 5 or 6 hours so we figured we got at least 10 miles in, if not more.  We were pretty sore by then but had a great time. 

For dinner that night we ate at Native Foods Cafe, which was also not far from our hotel (but not within walking distance).  It's a really great vegan restaurant.  What a find!  It reminds be of Veggie Grill in Irvine which is also a favorite of mine.  Why don't they have one in San Diego?