Grottos #1 & #2 Loop
January 7, 2015
Off to Mecca Hills on Box Canyon Road.
What started out as a loop to both the grottos,
turned out to be a hike only to Grottos #2.
Considered to be a strenuous hike, due to crawling through very small
openings to reach the caves. Those who are claustrophobic need not participate.
The hike offers stunning views of the Salton Sea & the eastern Santa Rosa Mountains.
Head lamps and flashlights are required.
Usually about a 7 mile hike with ups & downs and some narrow trails.
The following pictures will give you a flavor of the hike.
Some steeps hiking in...and going down.
Colorful rainbow rock formations.
"Lunch Break"
Gearing up to go into the grotto...headlamps & flashlights required.
Crawling on our bellies...
At the end of the grotto, you come to "The Wall",
a 12-foot vertical rise that demands careful rock climbing.
One could backtrack from here, but our group didn't.
Was quite a challenge....pulling...
...watching where to step,
...and pushing. We're definitely not shy here.
But we all made it to the top.
Some very narrow ridges...had to watch carefully where we were stepping.
THE END
Everyone safe & sound!
