Page 202 - WDT Winter 2018 japan

HIKING PALM SPRINGS

from sand to snow

Story & Photography By Priscilla Lister

f you hear the wind rumbling through ranges hide lots of amazing secrets —
Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs, natural and cultural — that have long
Cahuilla legend says it is a woman lured me to explore one of America’s
Icrying for her soul. most interesting hiking destinations.
The woman would be a victim True natural wonders, five
of Tahquitz, the first shaman created by climate zones from sand to snow,
Mukat, creator of all things, according and evidence of an industrious native
to the Cahuilla people who have lived people are reasons enough to hike in
here for thousands of years. A powerful Palm Springs. Add the allure of spring
guardian spirit of all shamans, Tahquitz wildflowers, year-round flowing streams
used his powers to help the people. But and remarkably sunny weather almost
then he became selfish and abused all the time and you will want to discover
his power to harm the Cahuilla people, these trails, too.
who banished him to this canyon. It is I have been hiking in Palm
said his spirit still lives here high in the Springs for many years, and will likely
San Jacinto Mountains in a secret cave never traverse all the trails that criss-
below the rocky summit known today cross the Coachella Valley. Indeed, there
as Tahquitz Peak. are more than 140 trails covering 1,250
If you feel an earthquake — a miles within a 60-mile radius of Palm
common occurrence in Coachella Val- Springs, according to Philip Ferranti’s
ley — some say it is Tahquitz stomping “140 Great Hikes in and near Palm
about the canyons. But it also might Springs,” his latest edition published in
have something to do with the San 2014 by The Colorado Mountain Club
Andreas Fault, which runs right through Press. I have used Ferranti’s “100 Great
this valley along with several other Hikes in and near Palm Springs” since
faults. its first publication in 2000.
Geologic uplifts here have Ferranti’s is one of several
created some very dramatic, rocky guidebooks I’ve consulted. But one of
scenery featuring countless canyons. the best ways to learn local lore is to
These indentations in the foothills of the take a guided hike with a tribal ranger
San Jacinto and Santa Rosa mountain through Tahquitz Canyon.

202 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018