Pullin' Chocks

Palm Canyon, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma, Arizona

We found a cool hike up into the local mountains here on the Kofa Refuge.  Way up in the canyon is an oasis of California Fan Palm trees which are now rare in Arizona.  Apparently the canyon still provides the right amount of moisture, protection and altitude for these remaining trees to survive.  We went up to the canyon with our friend Quirt.

The view of the canyon from Rt 95.  You can just make out the winding road up to the canyon

Teddy Bear Cactus riding up to the canyon.

Gari prepared to lock in the hubs if necessary!

The Trail head.

Gari and Quirt at the canyon entrance

Gari & Steve photo op

We are all taking pictures for what it is worth.  The sensation of the scenery just can't be completely captured with a camera if you know what I mean.

The huge crack in the rock at the left was fascinating to observe.

Quirt leading the way into the canyon.

Gari taking in the magnificence

Gari and Quirt reflecting on the natural beauty

Quirt found a campsite and fire pit up on a canyon ledge.

I see the canyon behind that knarly tree

See the palms trees up high in the canyon?

A little closer view of the palms

Looking back out the canyon from the top of the trail.  You can just see the winding road out.

There is water to be found in the canyon... e.g. in the depression of that big rock

At first we thought this was the palm of palm canyon....

 

It was kind of disappointing because look where it was growing; you can barely see it on the lower ledge.

Coming back out of the canyon now.

Gari pausing to take in the beauty for a little longer..

The holes in the canyon wall looked like a scream face on its' side

The Teddy Bears are getting ready to bloom.

I estimate there are a milion needles on those Teddy Bears!

Lone Saguaro

Bonus images - We stopped at Stone Cabin on the way back to the Foothills (home for now).  The cabin is at the left of the rocky hill and was about 12'x8'.  You can barely see it to the left of that little tree.  Three sisters lived here and ran a roadhouse resaurant on the stagecoach trail in the mid 1800's.  The last person living there abandoned the place in 1998!

A closer view at the front.  You can see the corner fire place at the right side. 

Closer view of the fire place