Hellhole Canyon to Maidenhair Falls and back
(5.0 miles, +900/-900 feet).

This was a quick out and back hike in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.  We saw quite a few other people there, though we were surprised on the way out (as always) to see people starting quite late in the day when it was already hot.

This hike gave me a chance to try a new long sleeve polyester shirt I just bought.  I’ve always worn cotton before, but for backpacking natural fibers are better because they wick moisture away from the body preventing chafing and hypothermia.  Neither of those will be a problem today, but I’m happy to get a chance to do gear shakedowns whenever I can.

The trail starts with a dire warning to visitors with a pair of graves:

It then continues up a pretty rocky canyon with some palms along the way.

Everyone enjoyed climbing on the rocks.

We eventually made it to Maidenhair Falls, which in spite of the drought was still trickling away.

It was an easy climb downhill to get back to the trailhead.