Organizer
-
Andrew Walls
-
Phone
530-264-6290 -
Email
atwalls@gmail.com -
Andrew is a full time resident of Palm Desert who actually hikes during the summer! Andrew is an avid hiker and backpacker who can be found strolling on and off trails throughout the Coachella Valley, Joshua Tree NP and Grand Canyon NP. In addition to his participation in CVHC activities, Andrew is a Certified California Naturalist and a hike leader with Friends of the Desert Mountains. Prior to moving to the CV in 2017, Andrew was a team leader with the Nevada County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team in Northern California.
Location
Carrizo Canyon
Carrizo Canyon
Carrizo Canyon is one of the group of canyons which are open for only the last three months of each year. This easy hike begins at the Art Smith parking lot and gradually climbs south through soft sand in a wide wash with evidence of a history of mining, exploration and recreational use over many decades. The wash narrows as we enter the canyon where we are amazed at the stunning folding and layering of metamorphic rock in the canyon walls.
As the canyon narrows, the trail gets a bit rockier and poles can be handy for maintaining one’s balance. We will carefully scramble over a few granite boulders. After a visit to a dry waterfall, we will take a side trail up Indian Canyon and up a 5 foot rock ladder to an overlook from which you can see back to Palm Desert and up Carrizo Canyon to a stand of California palms at an oasis hidden above the dry fall. We retrace our steps to return to the parking lot.
Map here: https://caltopo.com/m/U4Q7J
- Altitude gain: 364 feet (1044′ to 1408′)
- Cumulative altitude gain: 503 feet
- Distance: 2.3 miles
- Pace: 1-1.5 MPH, ~2 hours
- Terrain: Slightly varied, deep sand, short climb, some slick rock
- Obstacles: Rocks, boulders, plant debris
- Difficulty rating: Easy to Moderate
Please email Andrew to sign up for this hike and include your phone number.