Tahquitz and Indian Canyon hiking trails to be closed this weekend

Tahquitz and Indian canyons near Palm Springs wereclosed until further notice because of thunderstorm-triggered debris flows.

The canyons, owned and maintained by the Agua Caliente Band of CahuillaIndians, were damaged by downpours over the past few days. Trees, boulders andmud covered trails and roads, Agua Caliente spokeswoman Kate Anderson said.

“The Indian Canyons are nearly unrecognizable in the condition they arein today,” Agua Caliente Chairman Jeff Grubbe said. “We are workingdiligently to assess the damage and determine the next steps to remove debris,repair damage and return the canyons back to as close to their natural beautyas possible.”

The canyons cover more than 50 square miles and have more than 60 milesof trails. They were closed temporarily in July when the Mountain Fireblackened more than 6,000 acres on the Agua Caliente reservation.

Roads in the Coachella Valley have been closed off and on because offlooding. Golf Club and Araby drives remained closed today at the Palm CanyonWash in Palm Springs.