Thousand Palms

5th, April, 2018

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Desert Trails

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" During the morning I explored my surroundings, and was delighted

to find myself among the stately groves that give this canyon its name

of Thousand Palms. There are several distinct clusters, each of many 

hundreds, growing at short intervals, and in side ravines are smaller

groups, each showing some feature of charm, strangeness, or 

picturesque arrangement. "

I climbed a hill to the east ( Squaw Hill ) from whence I could overlook
a good part of the palms territory. They stood like an army, an actual
forest of palms, as unique a sight as can be found in our country, and
as beautiful in its strange, fascinating way.

Before:

( photo taken by Chase of Thousand Palms, from Squaw Hill,

circa 1915 )

After:

( photo taken by j. develyn, from Squaw Hill, April 2018,

over a century later! )

 In one, a narrow gallery of ochre-hued rock that gave wonderful depth to

the complementary blue of the sky, I came upon six palms that grew in a

compact block, as wide and thick as it was high, thatched to the ground

with dead, hanging fans.

photo: j. develyn, recent trip to Thousand Palms

One could cut into the mass as one would into a cheese, and a fine cell

could be carved out of it by a desert hermit who didn't mind scorpions 

and tarantulas for neighbors. "

photo: j. develyn, at recent trip to Thousand Palms

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** click photos for larger image **

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** for more info on Thousand Palms. And, say 

hello to Harlan, a volunteer at the preserve 

who is very knowledgeable about the

Coachella Valley! **

https://coachellavalleypreserve.org