As winter rains soak into the Palestinian hills, the water percolates into aquifers bound by ancient folds of rock far beneath the surface. Here and there the water escapes in the form of springs which have sustained life in the desert hills for millennia.
One such spring has cut valley leading from east of Jerusalem down to Jericho. The ancient valley of Wadi Qelt was an important route from Jerusalem to Jericho and the cities of the Decapolisin the north east.
The spring at the source of the Wadi appears to maintained by the Israeli park service
The hike towards the east begins from the spring,
. . and here and there along the route, additional springs will emerge from the cliffs.
The wet winter of 2011-2012 has flooded the aquifers and increased water flows above normal . . .
And has brought to the valley back to life . . . . .
. . . . . .and colour . . .
And in several locations the water-worn rocks make for good swimming places.
After a few more kilometres to the east the valley deepens and the path rises to follow an aquaduct
And the path continues for kilometres alongside a vista alongside Bedouin settlements.
Until it arrives high above the monestary first founded by John of Thebes back in fading years of the Byzantine Empire.
For more info . . .
and another collection of images . . .
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