Trips to the Canons 45 



rock colorings and formations, with evidences of 

 volcanic action. There are two or three ranches 

 belonging to Indians and whites: also good and 

 abundant water. Time needed, one day by automo- 

 bile: one night out by horseback. 



The Morongo Trip. I use this term to desig- 

 nate an excursion, of whatever length one likes, into 

 the mountains that face one looking across the 

 desert to the north and east from Palm Springs 

 (actually a spur of San Bernardino Mountain, but 

 locally known as the Morongos.) The route for 

 automobiles is by way of Whitewater Ranch, 

 branching oif thence to the road running northeast 

 to the Morongo Pass. This leads by way of Warren's 

 Ranch ("Chuckwarren's"), Warren's Wells, and 

 Coyote Holes, to the oasis of Twenty-nine Palms, on 

 the southern edge of the Mojave Desert. A worth- 

 while loop is made by turning south at the sign- 

 board (six miles beyond Warren's Wells) marked 

 "Keyes Ranch, Quail Springs," etc.: another sign- 

 board at the Keyes Ranch will direct you to Twenty- 

 nine Palms via Gold Park. A great variety of 

 desert scenery is thus met, including exceedingly 

 striking rock formations and those botanical curi- 

 osities, the Joshua trees, as well as fine views of the 

 great peaks, San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Santa 

 Rosa. The trip may be prolonged from Twenty- 

 nine Palms into a circuit by way of Dale, Cotton- 

 wood Springs, Shafer's Well, and Mecca, near the 

 north shore of the Salton Sea, but inquiries should 

 be made as to the state of the roads before venturing 



