He stops along the trail to point out a Desert Lavender bush, and explains to the crowd how the ancient Cahuilla Indians used this perfumed plant as an after-bath and in powder form, to help stop bleeding from wounds. ''I like to teach people what they're looking at in the canyon. There's just something about anytime you come onto Indian land, there's a spiritual feeling you get. And for the second consecutive summer, the Indians Canyons will remain open throughout the season, with ranger-led tours offered four to five times a day, seven days a week. The tours are free with a paid admission to the canyons. And you don't have to leave Fido at home.
Dogs are welcome in the canyons as long as they're leashed.
But the Indian Canyons aren't the only cool spots around the valley. Elena Misquez of the Bureau of Land Management has some other suggestions. And if you hike far enough, there's pools you can jump into and cool off. Whitewater Canyon, she said, can also be a welcome relief from the heat. Though it's a rather long hike, Misquez said, it's well worth it when the water is flowing.