Climbing Mountains In California

When we arrived in Palm Springs, Miss A was quick to point out that the mountains looked like a perfect place to go on a hike.  That girl has talked about our trip to the Colorado Mountains nearly weekly and has already planned our trip there this summer.  In every conversation, she talks about climbing a mountain.  Whether it be Loveland Pass or the ski slopes at Keystone, she is determined that this summer we will conquer a mountain.

On Sunday afternoon after Church, the girls, Papa and I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to climb a California Mountain.  We packed some water bottles, put on our tennis shoes and headed out to a perfect climbing spot in Palm Desert.  The trail was winding and steep, but the views were fantastic.  We didn't make it all the way to the top.  We got a little nervous about the grade, that we were going solo, and not sure about the climb back down.

Let's just say it was little more rocky and rugged than Colorado.  My dad's comment at the start of the trail was that many get stuck coming down, and had to be rescued.  Miss M might also have been a little nervous that we would run into California wildlife also known as snakes.  If you know me at all, that's really all it took to get me thinking that every dirt hill and crevice in the trail was a snake hole.  Thanks Miss M.

I didn't let fear ruin my fun though.  We climbed to our hearts content and then when we thought it was time to go back down, we did.  Of course before I sound too cocky, I do have to admit that the climb down is the tough part.  With only a few hundred feet to go, Miss A slipped and fell on the rocks and skinned her knees. It was one of those moments when you know a guardian angel is "catching your child" because her slide very easily could have been down and over the mountain.  Thank God is wasn't.

A little cleaning with a towel which I just happened to have pack in my bag and some fresh water and she was good to go.  We told her it was a California souvenir.  The tough cookie she is it didn't stop her desire to keep going and she might have even suggested another trip to climb later in the week.  While that plan didn't happen, we are already planning our summer climb in the Rockies.