hiking a slot canyon

Today we traveled to the Calcite mine/ Palm Slot area to hike a great slot canyon there.
We hiked down to the canyon from S-22

We started hiking down the wash.

Soon it turned into the "slot"- I was really excited

Beginning of the slot

It was really pretty hiking with the canyon walls a few stories high around us.

Carol was definitely a trooper!!

We met a nice Scottish couple who were hiking in front of us.

The shadows in the slot were breath taking.

It was really interesting to see how the slot was formed by whirling waters.

The strata inside was amazing........

This would not be the place to be during a flash flood!!!

Out the back end of the slot.........

A couple places we had to climb over because of rock falling down, then acting like a dam and filling up with dirt behind it.

The final rock fall was huge and we couldn't get over it. The Scottish couple called down and said it got even worse. So we back tracked and went "cross country", but UP!!

The ocotillos were starting to bloom.

There were plenty of desert lilys around, one of the few places they seem to grow.

Back above the slot, we could see the Salton Sea off in the distance.

And off to the south we could see a sand storm...........we were glad it wasn't where we were..

It was a great day of hiking.

visiting with the Haerrs

Today our friends Denis and Steve drove out to hike with us and enjoy the flowers.
We ran across many metal sculptues...........

wine growers and pickers.........

plenty of flowers along with the sculptures...........

and cactus........

hiking Palm Canyon at Anza Borrego Desert Park

Palm Canyon is just a little distance outside the town of Borrego Springs.
We had to cross the stream a few times.

The ocotillos were near their red bloom.

Nice hiking and more crossings.

great flowers but a little early.......

Some easier crossings............

Finally the palm oasis.......