Andreas Canyon

My folks and I trekked into Palm Springs to visit Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon. It is amazing that such a hot desert has ready access to water, which seeps to the surface through earth quake faults. This year Palm Canyon was fairly dry compared to previous years, and Andreas Canyon was lush and full of water. Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon are on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.

Picnic under the skirted fan palms.

Mom and I were surprised how cool it was inside the rounded wiki.

Ingenious construction using available material.

The woven palm fronds provide an airy interior.

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We ate our picnic lunch in the shade of native fan palms (Washingtonia filifera). Nearby, we explored several wikis constructed of wood frames and covered with dried palm fronds. It is surprising how well the structures blocked the sun, and remained relatively cool and aerated. In late afternoon we hiked the trail that winds by the stream and is surrounded by palms. The afternoon was warm but cooled by a breeze; the golden palm skirts and green palm fans were backlit by afternoon sun; the air was rich with bird song; and lizards basked on warm rocks.

Hiking the lush palm oasis.

We regrouped in Palm Springs at the Maracas Restaurant for Mexican food and conversation.