I drive a lot and one of the purposes of this blog was to be more aware of the things I'm driving by. When I see something interesting I'm taking the time to stop and discover more about the world around me. So I'm kind of ashamed to admit that for the last year I've been driving 1000 Palms Canyon Road frequently and have been noticing a staircase built into the side of a ridge for several months now. That's right, for several months now I've seen these steps but have not stopped to see where they lead. It's impossible to see over them and where they end remained a mystery until now.
The weather lately has been pretty amazing so it's been perfect adventure weather. I had to stop and investigate the staircase. There's a little parking area along 1000 Palms Canyon Road suitable for several cars right where you would notice the steps. The parking area is at the trailhead for what is called The Pushwalla Trail and heading due east from the road you will eventually get to the staircase.
The steps lead up to a mesa offering an incredible view of the mid to western Coachella Valley. An enormous vista seemingly unobstructed is the reward for the climb but it doesn't stop there. If you like you can continue on The Pushwalla Trail by continuing east but the sign pointing south promises "Hidden Palms." I don't know what a Pushwalla is but the discovery of Hidden Palms seemed much more appealing. I headed that way.
It's an easy walk unless you miss the turn like I did. If you follow the signs correctly the hike is relatively flat but if you continue on in what looks to be a more direct fashion you will ultimately pay the price by going up and down some pretty demanding hills. It was worth it though and the challenge was rewarding. Once over (or around) a major ridge you come to a grove of wild palms completely hidden from any road and tucked away in a cove. It's amazingly quiet and equally beautiful. Several clusters of palm trees dot the ridgeline creating a true oasis. It may not be readily available but the significance would be there's water somewhere around there.
On a sunny day it's great to take refuge in the shade of the palms and gaze up the mountains to the west. The still and the quiet are thought provoking and you wonder how many others have been there. I wondered how many pioneers had stopped here during the days of the wild frontier looking for natural resources or a place to rest. I'm sure this little canyon has a remarkable history that we shall never fully know. So the secret staircase revealed the amazing discovery of a grove of wild palms and if you let your imagination run wild, an untold history known only to the rocks on the canyon walls.
Take the time; Take a bottle of water; Take a hike; Take a deep breath.
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