Enjoy the desert, but respect it

My husband and I also visited Anza-Borrego [“Anza-Borrego, Painted With Wildflowers,” Weekend Escape, March 13] this past February. The wildflowers were delightful.

One caution: The trail that author Robin Rauzi featured, Hellhole Canyon, is rated as an intermediate hike. The first half is an easy walk, but to reach the falls requires some real work clambering over rocks and jumping over streams. Parts of the trail have been washed out and are hard to follow, and it is easy to miss the waterfalls. Tennis shoes are not appropriate; hiking boots are.

Because the round-trip hike to the falls takes more than four hours, visitors should take plenty of water, some food and start early in the day.

I agree with the author that desert flowers are best seen up close, and I urge everyone to visit, but it is important that we choose trails appropriate to our skill levels and hike safely.

Hedy Williamson

Laguna Woods