Thanks to Indie Jack and Kathryn for setting up the car shuttle on Friday afternoon. I met them and Karin for dinner at Casuelas Cafe in Palm Desert on Friday. We started hiking about 7:15 AM Saturday. The cast of characters included Kathryn, Karin, Indie Jack, Hengst Joe, Alan, Steve W, Ron and me.
The starting weather was perfect. It started to warm up (no shade out there) but then we were treated to a stiff wind once we got on the Guadalupe. In a few places we had to route find. At once point, I slipped in some scree and sat down, puncturing my right upper arm on a dead bush. Argh! I thought I was going to come through this hike fairly unscathed. I was embarrased but everyone kindly pitched in and helped patch me up. Its annoying to hike with blood running down your arm.
We dropped into the third ravine and had a nice lunch at Cowboy camp. Then, we started up the ravine and got stopped by the same brush that impeded our progress in the fall. This time, we knew to cross to the other side and traverse to the left of the ravine until we could drop back in. There were a few more tight areas of brush that tried to grab us, but before too long the ravine opened up into a nice wide gradual downhill. We were treated to gorgeous views of clouds over the desert divide.
Shortly after we got on Cactus Springs, the temperature began to drop, the wind picked up and the clouds covered the sun. Brrr...This last section in the canyonlands is probably my favorite part of the hike. The wind was really gusting on the ridge before we dropped down and crossed Horsethief Creek. Then it was climb, drop, climb, drop and finally climb up again to the Sawmill trailhead parking area. With the windchill, the temperature was now in the high 30's. We wasted no time hopping into Kathryn's van.
Everyone agreed that dinner would be nice before the drive home. We considered and vetoed several options before deciding on Outback Steakhouse. I've always wanted to go -- this was my first time. There's just nothing like a good little steak (protein for muscle repair and iron for red blood cells) and potato and hot squaw bread (carbohyrate to restore muscle glycogen). And of course, draft Stone IPA for anesthesia.
Thanks to everyone for a lovely day. Also, thanks to the weather for holding off until the head of the hike.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
