The trail starts out on a service road through a easement surrounded by private land, a fact rudely announced by numerous new-looking and unfriendly "no trespassing" signs seemly located every 10 feet, just in case hikers would be inspired to leave the path and crash through the walls of impenetrable brush lining the road. Reaching the main drainage, the road turned into a pleasant, though badly eroded trail ascending the oak shaded ravine. In a mile the trail entered two green, grassy meadows with a flowing creek. Picnic tables at the upper meadow invited us to take a break and enjoy the pleasant setting.
After the meadow, the trail climbed a steep and dry hillside to reach the crest of the Desert Divide. This part of the trail was very well constructed and gained altitude at a gentle rate. Other than some minor brush growth and crumbling tread, the condition of the trail was excellent. We enjoyed the grand vistas that opened up as we climbed, as well as the sight of some huge flower stalks of blooming yucca plants. It was cool and breezy when we reached the windswept crest of the divide and a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Views opened up in every direction.
After eating lunch at this scenic perch, a few of our party who shall go unnamed got a burning desire to see what Palm View peak looked like post fire. A sturdy and permanent sign put up by the Forest Service forbid progress in that direction (as well as toward Cedar Spring), and I decided to spend my time enjoying the local scenery while the nameless scofflaws did their dirty deed.
And what did they find? Burn damage was spotty with unburned sections alternating with areas of more or less damage. Views that way are fantastic and the trail is in good shape as far as the meadow just north of the peak. A few snow patches remained from a previous storm. Much of the nice white fir forest on Palm View Peak survived and the setting is still pretty, although the forest on the north side of the peak was obliterated. One hiker was curious about the fir shaded basin just to the south and east of Palm View Peak, and descended about 200 vertical feet to the lower part of the basin. There he found a small flowing spring. It is hard to say how durable this spring is, but it could be useful as a water source to someone.
After regrouping at the pass, we hiked back down the trail to the cars and drove back to the 90 F heat of Palm Springs to get some quality pool time in.
The other hikes I did were good too, and I may report on them as I get the time. They were at the West Fork/North West Fork trails in the Indian Canyons, Pipes Canyon Preserve, one in Joshua Tree, and a short canyon hike close to Palm Springs.
partially fire damaged summit of Palm View Peak
