Hike to the Palms...Check!

(Clicking on the pictures will open them larger in a new window.)

February 7, 2018

Today was the day we planned to see the Palms and we were expecting our hiking companions around 9:00AM so Tom and I were both up around 6:00AM.  I even remembered to step out and catch the sun coming up over the mountains. The sky is a wonderful blue and the wind we had last night has died down. It is cool but for a hike it seems perfect.
(Side note: except for the sunrise and sunset pictures today's picture were taken with my little Olympus Stylus which fits nicely in my pocket.)

Warning: Picture overload.

Linda and Len driving up this morning. 

We met Linda and Len two years ago when we were parked next to each other for two months at the Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, AZ. They have since bought a winter home in Yuma and drove up to do this hike with us today. We always have a great time when we get together so I know we are going to have a fun time today.

After a little catching up we all got in their truck and drove up to the parking area. Stepping out of the vehicle we are greeted with wonderful views of Palm Canyon.

Palm Canyon, the sun is still low in the sky as we stand looking
towards where we will hike in today.

Last year when Tom made this hike he did see Desert Bighorn Sheep
on his way out. We all hoped we would have the same luck this year.
Unfortunately, I have to say we did not.

After taking a few pictures and reading some information we are off on our adventure. It is not an easy path to hike. There are lots of ups and downs, loose rocks, and larger rocks to get up and around. Then there is a teaser of fairly flat path and again a serious of  "steps" basically larger rocks you need to find foot spaces to climb up or down and around. The brochure says it is an hour round trip hike but I think it took us more like two. Mainly, because I found in order not to lose my footing I had to be looking down while I walked. So there was a lot of stopping to look at the gorgeous views all around and above us. The pictures below really do not do the views justice but honestly since, we will probably never do this again they still will remind us of this day and what we saw.

Looking back the views go on forever.

Even the shadows on the walls added to the beauty.

Another look back.

Linda and Len stop to look above and take a picture and
yes, they are on the path.

A picture of the path.

With a lot of cropping, our first sighting of the palms.

We made it and all decided we wanted proof that we did.
Tom said, last year someone had aimed this sign so it was pointing down
instead of up and it took him awhile to find the palms.

Which are above where we were standing.
They can be seen in the niche in the center of this picture.

Besides the Palms there is a lot of greenery up
and down the hillsides. Including quite a few Saguaros.

The sun is now lighting up the area just next to the palms.

Looking up was dizzying.

A look out over the area towards 95. 
The Stinger "B" is out there somewhere.

There is beauty and greenery every where you look.
Not to mentions lots of rocks.

One more picture before we start back.

A last pictures of the palms from the point we first saw them.
Then we continued on our way back out of the Canyon.

Looking ahead.

Turning and looking back as we make our way out.

Glancing back, yet once again, at the path behind and the beautiful scenery.

Palm Canyon Road snaking its way up to the parking area.

Looking up at the wonderful walls of rock surrounding us.

Following the leader.
Yes, that free clear bag from the Honda booth did come in handy!

Tom staying ahead of me and helping me make my way over some
of the ups and downs over larger rocks.

Taking another look at where we have been and the path behind.

Seemed only fitting to include one rock, we went by up close.

The sun is higher now as we exit Palm Canyon.

As I mentioned above it was not an easy hike, certainly not because of the length or all the ups and downs but because of all the loose rocks and rocks you have to climb up and over, but I am glad I did it. Tom has decided twice is his limit and I am thinking once is mine. Seeing the palms themselves is something special but, in our opinion, not the most spectacular thing about walking into Palm Canyon. The shear beauty of the walls and surrounding landscape is really what made the hike worth the effort for me.

We ended the day sitting out on our "patio"
watching the sun slowly slip behind the mountains.
A perfect ending to a perfect day.

You are never given a dream

without also being given

the power to make it true.

                                                           ~unknown

We had one of those perfect days and hope you did, too.

If you would like to leave a comment we would enjoy hearing from you.