Palm Canyon, Kofa N.W.R. — Attraction in Four Corners States

Disclaimer; despite we went out on Jun/30/2020, we do not recommend to go hiking in the Yuma/La Paz counties during the summer time. We decided to go because it was an unseasonably cool for three days (hi 90's-lo 60's). Initially we were a little concern about rattle snakes.

It was a nice warm weather, got there around 8:30 am, it took us 50 minutes round hike. At the entrance of the actual Palm Canyon (Palms sign) we saw a male desert sheep on the south side of the ridge, we barely notice he was trying to approach us but decided to go back uphill. At the end of the trail, probably 200 yards from the parking spot we saw another two more sheep, one bighorn sheep the second one probably a female, we stopped to take a few pictures at them, they were around 125 yards away from us and both sheep begun to look at us and one of them, the younger ewe or maybe a younger male, came down the hill approaching to us and it stopped at around 80 yards when suddenly the big one, probably 5-6 years old male run after us and I grabbed three rocks and trowed a couple at him but did not work, my two kids, 5 & 8 years old my wife and I begun running towards the parking spot. The closest the sheep got into us was around 6-10 yards, It looked massive, he chased us and got around 100 yards from our car. I think our mistake was watching at them straight to their eyes and they thought we were challenging them and trying to take over their territory or their females, since we were to close at them. Also, it is matting/rutting season for them.

My kids were really scared that they never stopped running until they got into the car. I confess that I got scare too when I saw him charging at us and at 6-8 yards from us. I got a medium size back pack that I had ready to use it as a bumper/cushion just in case, also I rose it up above my head to try to look bigger, maybe that...

Beautiful canyon, great little hike with easy to follow Shady trail. And it’s DOG FRIENDLY (on a leash). I was looking toward the back of the canyon the whole hike hoping to see the palm trees. They are not in the back of the canyon lol. They are off to the left or north side of the canyon in a small ravine all their own. It’s steep but I have read that it’s possible to go off trail and scramble up to where they are. We didn’t do that today :-).

And if you want something longer, just keep following the footpath up the canyon after viewing the palms.

Only negative was the dog poo in the trail. Come on folks, at the very least pick up a stick or rock and remove it from underfoot! We’re lucky (and responsible) our Max only goes off road, off trail and we usually carry bags with us. If we forget, we remove it from underfoot and/or bury it somehow. I love being able to have our dog with us so I’m behalf of all of us that do, I try to practice good dog...

A great hike in the heart of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The hike is about a one mile long to reach the view point to view the palm trees hidden in the canyon crevice. The hike is about two miles total round trip and gradually ascends up into the canyon. The ecosystem within the large canyon walls is one of a kind and varies from the surrounding desert landscape. A great little hike but the trailhead and parking area is about 5 or more miles on a washboard dirt road from the main highway but well...