Mecca

I continue to be amazed by inexhaustible list of awesome things to do in the desert.

I've wanted to explore the painted hills in Mecca for years 

and today with highs in the low 80s was the perfect day to do so.

Forty miles south of PS is an adventurous trail known as Ladder Canyon named

after the half dozen ladders located in the narrow interior passageways.

I loved the cool, dusty slots,

which were never claustrophobic due to the visible piercing blue sky overhead.  

After 1.2 miles the path opened up to a vast valley of painted mountains and gigantic ocotillo trees.

The ridge line led to a steep decline which deposited us on a sandy wash encased by ancient sediment.

Bees hummed in the lush petals of blooming purple ironwood trees and bright coral quartz, shimmering shale, and green mudstone boulders doted the path.  

Truly, one of the best hikes I've taken in Southern California.