Wednesday, 29 April 2009 (Continued from here):
After our lovely birdy walk at Big Morongo Canyon, we continued heading towards Palm Springs, stopping in Desert Hot Springs to check out Yerxa Cabot’s Pueblo (see photos here). The tour was good, if a bit long-winded, but it’s definitely the sort of off-the-wall place that gives the desert a mostly-justified reputation for being inhabited by “colorful” characters.
From Desert Hot Springs, we continued into Palm Springs, checked into our hotel, and had a so-so Mexican dinner downtown before retiring early’ish.
Thursday, 30 April 2009:
We woke early and after a quick bite, drove a few miles to the trailhead for Tahquitz Canyon, one of three “Indian” canyons in/near Palm Springs located on the land of the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla tribe. This was the first hike I can recall that charges admission. Not a typical parking fee, as found in most State & National Parks, but a per-person fee actually hike the trail – $12.50 per adult. It’s hard to begrudge the tribe’s efforts to make a livelihood, however, and I certainly prefer this to yet more Casinos!
After quickly perusing the visitor’s center, we hit the trail at 7:50.
Taquitz Canyon Visitor’s Center
Adam Paul 