Palm Springs: Indian Canyons

Date: February 15, 2014

Time: 9:00 am

Near: Palm Springs, CA 92264

Difficulty:  Moderate

Distance: 8 Miles

Trail Type: Well maintained trail

Hike Type: Out and Back

 

Saturday February 15th: Andreas & Murray Canyon – We will be hiking both trails

 

Andreas Canyon
Length: About 2 miles round trip

A favorite scenic trail leads through the canyon, passing groves of stately skirted palms, unusual rock formations and the perennial Andreas Creek, where one can still see the bedrock mortars and metates used by the Native Americans centuries ago for preparing food. This tranquil setting is excellent for photography, bird watching or a picnic at one of the tables along the trail.  The Andreas Canyon Trail is an easy trail that takes the hiker up the right side of the canyon, following a stream that wanders through groves of California fan palms. The contrasting greens of magnificent fan palms and more than 150 species of plants within a half-mile radius beckon the desert-weary traveler to this lush oasis. The canyon is a stark contrast to the usual desert-hiking trail due to the abundant vegetation that grows along the stream. One almost feels like they are in a "jungle" environment, instead of desert. There is an option to via the other side of the canyon, or you can return the way we came. The left side of the canyon gives the hiker a view of the canyon from above it a little, and is very much worth the effort.

 

Murray Canyon Trail
Length:  6 miles

 

The Murray Canyon trail is a moderately difficult hike that gives the hiker more of a challenge than Andreas Canyon. It will take you further and higher into the San Jacinto mountains than the Andreas Canyon Trail, and it is abundant in California fan palms and other desert vegetation which makes it a nice change from so many of the other Palm Springs area hikes. The trail wanders through the canyon and along the stream for a lot of the journey, so be extra careful when ever there is strong or high runoff as the rocks can be very slippery. During the winter you can see the gorgeous snowcapped Murray Canyon.