california - Mecca - Cheese Bush Wash - Slot - Lupine Wash Loop

A beautiful canyon loop and full in bloom at the right time.

Past the Painted Canyon crossing park after mile 3.7 on your left at the Closed Area sign.

Hike in to the wide canyon and always keep left in the wider wash.
After about 2.5 Mile the canyon narrows and at point "Steep" you have to scramble out a steeper rocky wash.
Probably going back for about 100 Yards and hike up the hill to the left may be easier.
Up to this point ("Steep") the hike was easy, so you may consider turning back at this point.

On top the views are quite nice, of the surrounding canyons and the Salton Sea.

Hike east, follow an old jeep trail (but there are so may of them over here), South/East for only 50 Yards.
Now turn left (North/East) and follow the ridge into the canyon below.
Always seek out the lowest point of the wash.
You may need your hands at times to navigate this narrow wash.

There are some bushes in the wash, blocking the path, luckily mostly Desert Lavender.
The canyon turns into a more narrow slot canyon, but only for a short while.

Suddenly you enter a larger canyon, with lots and lots of flowers, when the time is right.

Follow this wash all the way to the road.
Turn right (South) on the right hand side away from the road.
As the road comes very close, you can go directly to the car, by following the road on the other side. This will make the hike at least 30 Minutes shorter.

Or you can take the narrow canyon on your right ("Canyon 3")
After about 150 Yards, hike up the rocky wash to the left (South/West).
Follow the rim all the way to the top.
To get down into the canyon, head West and than North/West, following the rim.
Find the easiest way down, that should be in the rocky wash.
Follow the wash down until you meet the road again.
Cross the road, for a hike further away from the road and head back to the car.
Hike to the right (South/West)/

Pictures

Hiked: Mid March 2011.
Hiking time: 3 Hour, 30 Minutes for the full loop.
3 Hour when you leave out the rim hike at point "Canyon 3"