Hidden Spring Canyon and Grotto Number 2 - 4.20.2015
A photo of our GPS track on our hike to Hidden Spring Canyon in the Mecca Hills... in search of Grotto Number 2... 6.75 miles roundtrip, gaining 1897 feet of elevation.
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The trailhead is on Box Canyon Road... but there isn't a trailhead sign.
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After less than 5 minutes of hiking it is time to go uphill.
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tomman, BarbE and Denali Girl on the trail in the Mecca Hills.
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High enough now to see the Salton Sea and the Santa Rosa Mountains.
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Still gaining elevation.
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We will follow this rib down to Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Looking back as we descend the rib.
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Ocotillo.
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Here comes BarbE as we descend to Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Almost down to Hidden Spring Canyon.
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One more short piece of up to get to the wider part of Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Hidden Spring Canyon is very broad here.
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Just follow the posts in Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Denali Girl, BarbE and tomman heading up Hidden Spring Canyon.
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A couple of weeks ago Denali Girl and I took a tributary canyon on the left when we saw this very colorful rock... but today we will stay in the wide canyon and continue on up it.
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Continuing up Hidden Spring Canyon in search of Grotto Number 2.
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Awesome colors.
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The start of Grotto Number 2 is supposed to be in the vicinty of this array of colorful rock.
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Outstanding array of colors... but where is the entrance to Grotto Number 2?
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We probed the canyon in several places... with this being the most promising.
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Continuing up a small side canyon.
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Looks like it will go.
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Looking up... we have reached a deadend. We probed three other small canyons and could not find a way.
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Retreating after not being able to find Grotto Number 2.
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Heading home as we walk down Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Time to hike up and out of Hidden Spring Canyon.
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Almost back to the car.
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After the hike we drove down to Salton Sea State Park for a picnic.
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The Santa Rosa Mountains on the other side of the Salton Sea.
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