Saturday, January 07, 2012

Borrego Palm Canyon

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Indianhead Mountain from Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead (December 21, 2011)
Agave in Bloom, Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead
 Borrego Palm Canyon Trail Mileage: 3 miles
Change in Elevation: 450 ft gain/loss
Best Times: Fall to Spring
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead during Spring (March 23, 2009 )

 The trail to the Palm Oasis in Borrego Palm Canyon starts at the wide valley of dry desert vegetation, however, during spring, these dry bushes do bring in colors.
 First Mile of Trail during spring
After about half a mile, you leave the vast open space as you get inside the canyon. Here,  you will start seeing more interesting rocks, thorny vegetation and trunks of washed down palm trees. It is said that before the flooding in 2005, there were thousands of palms lining this canyon. Thankfully, there are still several left standing after the flood.
 First small waterfall in the trail
Tough in the midst of desert, there are a lot of small waterfalls that can be seen in the trail. It's amazing to see water splashing over boulders and very inspiring to see how life in the desert is supported by these water streams. 
 Plants growing underneath the shallow clear water
 Another waterfall we saw in the trail
Aside from the spring pictures in the 3rd and 4th pictures above, all the pictures here were taken from our latest hike in Borrego Palm Canyon trail, December 21, 2011. 
 Nature's Garden in the desert
 Before we reached the thick grove of palms, we saw this grove of small palms growing. It is inspiring to see how nature heals, where thousands of palms may have been washed away during the 2005 flooding, but slowly, they are growing back. I can't wait to see this canyon lined up with palms again.
 Another waterfall near the thick grove of Borrego Palms
The end of the trail is at the thick grove of palms. This place is popular for sighting desert bighorn sheep because this is where they go down to have their fill of water, but we were not lucky during our hike to spot some. 
Palms in Borrego Palm Canyon (end of trail, but anyone can continue to explore)
After the hike here, we explored the Palm Slot Canyon, more of that in my later post, and then, we ended our day at Fonts Point.

♥♥
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13 comments:

  1. You showed a variety of scenery, beautiful spots, and fantastic things to feast my eyes on, Betchai!

    The places you've explored bringing such joy to me.

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  2. So wonderful to see the little palms growing. Indeed, it is inspiring to see how nature heals itself!

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  3. That is such a beautiful area.

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  4. Very special hike, nice waterfalls.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  5. Pictures are beautiful, Betchai! I hope you had a wonderful holiday, and I am ready for things to get back to a normal routine. Have an awesome week!

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  6. i love every photos you share... it makes me feel warm

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  7. The mini falls are good.

    Would like to move one to my house. Grin!!

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  8. I enjoy your waterfall shots. It must be exciting to come across these when you least expect them.

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  9. ahhhhh paradise.....you never fail to mesmerize these eyes...

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  10. It looks like a beautiful place. I have learned from you quite awhile ago now that the desert is anything but a wasteland, but it still amazes me to see such beautiful things there.

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  11. That is one strange tree! Love the waterfall pics at slow speed.

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  12. i always like the combination of yellow and blue :-) thus i like your first photos...

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  13. the colours of the nature! sooo breathtaking...

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!