ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER
On January 15, 2022 SoCal Adaptive Sports and Desert Recreation District celebrated their one year anniversary of an adaptive (inclusive) hiking program offered by Friends of the Desert Mountains, Desert Recreation District Adaptive and SoCal Adaptive Sports.
From a trial that began on January 9, 2021, the program has grown to include multiple hikes throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond, looking for scorpions, riding in a covered wagon, taking the Palm Springs Tram to walking together on various paths. The people that hike are athletes and their family members and friends connecting with the great outdoors. The hikes are typically led and coordinated by Ada Nuckels a volunteer docent with Friends of the Desert Mountains who has really taken to heart of helping to develop a more inclusive society. There are also so many other Friends of the Mountains volunteer docents who ensure that we stay on the path and hike together.
Last week the hike was at Willis Palm Oasis in Thousand Palms CA.
The Willis Palm Oasis located in the Coachella Valley Preserve near 1000 Palms is part of a series of oasis’s that are found along the San Andreas Fault. It is located in the Coachella Valley Preserve which is home to more than 183 bird species. It is also the home of the protected Coachella Fringe-toed Lizard.
If you are ready to experience some of the most beautiful hiking the Coachella Valley has to offer, grab your backpack and get out on the trail!
The hike to Willis Palms is an easy hike to a palm oasis. You can hike from the parking area to the oasis, which is about a 10 minute walk. You can also take a trail that goes to the right shortly after leaving the parking area that takes you on a loop above and around the oasis.
The loop hike leads you uphill for a while, and is a little more difficult. If you follow the loop you will end up at the far end of the oasis and you can follow the trail back to the parking area.
You can register for these free hikes on the Desert Recreation District under Adaptive Activities. For further information contact Mike Rosenkrantz at mike@socaladaptivesports.org
Think Outdoor Programs, Fresh Air and Meeting New Friends!
