Palm Canyon Trail at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

 The sight of bighorn sheep, dazzling sunsets and palm trees growing from the sides of a steep canyon may touch your heart. But an increased heart rate would be an added benefit to hiking the Palm Canyon Trail at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.

It takes about an hour and a half to get from Yuma to a parking spot at the base of a mountain near Palm Canyon, which is located on a gravel road about seven miles off  U.S. Highway 95, said Susannah Henry, acting refuge manager. “From there, there’s a trail that you can follow easily up into the canyon for half mile to a view of the palms.”

She describes the rocky, designated half-mile trail as “moderate” in difficulty. “It has the benefit of getting your heart rate up in a couple of places.

“You kind of have to climb up the canyon. The palm trees are not visible from the parking area, so you have to get up into the main canyon and then look up into a side canyon to see the palm trees.”

The trees are California fan palms that grow in a crevice about halfway up the canyon. And they may be descendants of palms that grew in this region during the last periods of North American glaciation, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Web site.

“There’s another interesting plant that grows in the canyon, called the Kofa Mountain barberry,” Henry said. “It grows on the north-facing slopes of that canyon, so people of a botanical bent sometimes go up there and take a look.”

Those interested in seeing more palm trees can walk from the parking area around the base of the mountain either way, Henry said. “If you go to the north, you’ll end up in a canyon called Four Palms Canyon … and if you go to the south, you’ll go to a place called Fishtail Canyon.”

She reiterates, however, that neither of those routes is a designated trail. “It’s cross country hiking.”

There’s also a branch off the gravel road that leads up to another canyon called Kofa Queen Canyon. She recommends taking a high-clearance vehicle, preferably a four-wheel drive, to the mouth of Kofa Queen Canyon, where some people park before hiking up the canyon.

For those who choose to stay back at Palm Canyon, camping is allowed without any type of permit, she said. Although the surrounding area consists of rock-filled slopes, the parking area is flat enough to pitch a tent, she said. Many people have camped there, as is evidenced by well-used fire rings, she said.

“It’s got a great view looking out to the west, at the whole La Posa Plain, the valley that lies between the Kofas and the Trigo and Dome Rock Mountains. It’s a great place to watch the sunset …. The mountain would be to your back and the mountains are going to turn kind of gold and red down behind you.”

Kofa Refuge is currently home to about 450 desert bighorn sheep, so there’s a good chance of seeing them anytime you’re out there though mornings and evenings are best, she said.

Although bighorn sheep can lamb anytime, most of the them lamb in the wintertime, especially around February. So it’s important not to disturb them, she said.

“On a national wildlife refuge, you’re not supposed to harass wildlife at all. Observe them from a distance. (Bighorn sheep) are typically, relatively undisturbed by things that are below them and in view. So if you’re not rushing up to them and you’re staying where they can see you, they often will hang around.

“A lot of times people take a dog, and that’s fine, but the dog should remain on a leash. That would definitely discourage sheep if they were up above you and they could see you but could also see a dog running around, coming their way. That would disturb them, especially if they had a lamb.”
Rattlesnakes, deer and mountain lions are among the other wildlife hikers may spot at the refuge. And burros can be seen on the way out and back, especially south of milepost 62, Henry said.

There are no restrooms. “You have to bring your own shovel and toilet paper and pack out your trash.” People should also bring their own water and refreshments, she said.

During the winter months, especially January, other people are likely to be hiking the Palm Canyon Trail, she said. Law enforcement officers patrol the area as well.

Cell phone reception is spotty but may be better near the parking area and highway, Henry said.

How to get to Palm Canyon Trail

From Yuma, take U.S. Highway 95 north for about 63 miles, where a Palm Canyon sign indicates a junction with a gravel road. Although the road is rough, it is passable by a sedan, even after a rain if you take it real easy. Follow the gravel road seven miles to a parking lot at the base of the mountain. From the parking lot, follow the designated foot trail for a half mile into Palm Canyon. 

  For more information, call Kofa National Wildlife Refuge at 783-7861. The office is located at 356 W. 1st St.