Flashfloodophobia

[backpackpack]

Hello, I have hiked up palm canyon and camped a few times, but I am always half awake worrying about a 20 foot flash flood burying me in car-sized boulders. I don't think these happen very often, but when are they most likely to happen? Is it safe to camp up there right now? Is it just one of those things where there is always a tiny amount of risk and I have to not worry about it?

[halhiker]

Any potential flash flood weather has passed. They are most likely to hit in August and September.

[backpackpack]

Ok thank you. I might test out my new backpack I got on Sunday.

[Hikin_Jim]

Any potential flash flood weather has passed. They are most likely to hit in August and September.

Emphasis on "most likely". I experienced a flash flood in December in Ventura County one time.

Any time rain is in the forecast, it's something to keep in the back of one's mind if you're going into a narrow canyon.

HJ

[halhiker]

Out here we tend to think of flash floods as those scattered summer thunderstorms that dump a ton of water very quickly. They tend to be more dangerous than your typical winter storm because it can be absolutely clear where you are but 10 miles away it's a downpour. Since that water has to go somewhere, it bombs down the canyon and hits you without warning. Certainly, anytime there's rain in the forecast you should be concerned about being down in a canyon. But, to me, it's the unexpected nature of flash flooding that's scary.

On a side note, the best places to camp in the Palm Canyon area aren't really creekside, IMO. Also, the Indian Canyons are closed right now so you'll have to come down from Highway 74.

[backpackpack]

Halhiker do you have any recommendations for camping areas around there? All I have done so far is hike up the palm canyon trail, and keep going past the first grove up to the second or third and set up camp. It would be nice to camp outside of the flash flood zone, then I could sleep with no worries!

[guest]

Hi,
Indian Potrero, although a good hike coming from the top, (Pine View Dr. off Hwy 74), is a good place, with lots of areas to camp.
Heading west into the foothills offers interesting exploring, (think motar rocks, petro's etc.).
Mesquite Flats may be another, but keep an eye out for the cattle, if there still around.

ss

[halhiker]

Aqua Bonita Spring has a nice little campsite and you can hike down through Llittle Paradise and see Palm Canyon Falls, after that just rejoin the trail and continue out.