Just got this email from someone who just hiked The Ladders in the Mecca Hills. We might have to have a designated car sitter at some trail heads.
"Went to Ladder Canyon today. Good hike, but no ladders on return loop down Painted Canyon. Chutes negotiable, but need teamwork to get everyone down. Also returned to parking area to find that all six cars parked there at that time had 2 or all four tires slashed. Some had been broken into and valuables stolen (cautionary tale about leaving valuables in car at trailheads). Neither sheriff nor AAA would come to trailhead to offer assistance. We were lucky in that we only had one flat tire and could use spare. We were full, but took one fellow home so he could get his truck and return to pick up rest of their group. Others had already contacted family and friends for help, but getting phone service was difficult. This is the worse case of this sort of stuff I've come across in a long time around here. Because that it took place in a remote desert area, it transcends vandalism and theft. Could be life threatening. Thought you folks should know...Tell Phil"
This poster sent another email with more information.
Re yesterday's mailing, would like to add that I contacted Indio Sheriff's station for a follow-up on car incidents at Ladder Canyon trailhead. After picking up a four wheel drive unit, deputies did indeed make it out to trailhead where they assisted and made sure that all concerned had transportation. Station reported deputy was on site for over 4 hrs. Good to hear. However, the desk Sgt added that remote places like that are extremely difficult to patrol. Also, he was aware of the break-ins at CV Preserve and Bump and Grind sites.
Here is some other information from our friend Jane Udal.
Hello; just letting a few of you know of the status of Painted Canyon so you can spread the word. As we know, there was a fierce flash flood thru that area on Sept. 12; Box Canyon Rd was closed for major repairs on Sept. 13; it is now re-opened. Painted Canyon Rd is open, too, and has been graded but has deep soft sand on it. 4WD ONLY. If you take a non 4WD vehicle out there and get stuck, as was seen yesterday, I've heard AAA charges minimum $1000 for retrieval. More seriously, there have been serious acts of vandalism against cars at Painted Canyon both before and since the flood. Slashed tires, body damage, attempted thefts. Sheriff Dept is slow to respond given remoteness of area. Finally, I suspect that the ladders are gone or damaged. Its an area I intend to avoid for the time being.
Jane