Coachella Valley Hiking Club Blog

Hike to Tahquitz Peak from the Zen Center

On July 21, Kerry Leavitt led a hike from the Zen Center to Tahquitz Overlook. On the hike were Udi Katz, Gary Wolf, Rob, and David Maietta. The text and pictures were sent in by David. 

Thanks David!

There were five in our group and none of us had ever been on this trail before. We picked it up at the end of a dirt road that leads to a Zen Buddhist retreat and although we heard no audible chants, we were quiet just the same. The initial climb to the Pacific Crest Trail winds through a mostly shaded area which was nice since it was fairly warm by 8:30 when we finally hit the trail. We passed Murray Canyon at the top of the saddle and it was clear enough to see part of Palm Springs in the distance. Once at the overlook, we could see not only Red Taquitz but also Tahquitz peak. Since we were the only hikers out there, we had it all to ourselves. This is definitely a hike worth doing!

 

Fourwheelin' in the Inyo Mountains

On May 25 - May 28, a group of us took our four wheel drive vehicles up to the Owens Valley and the Inyo Mountains. We visited the famouse salt tram that carried salt from Saline Valley to the Owens Valley. We were up to about 8,000 feet and this area can only be accesed by four wheel drive. We also visited the old mining town of Cerro Gordo. After this, went to Indian Wells Canyon and hiked up to some pictographs.

Because of the drought, there were not many flowers. Here are a few that we saw.

                                                                       

Here are some pictures of Cerro Gordo and the Salt Tram up in the Inyo Mountains.

                                 

Here are some of the pictographs we found.