Mornings and evenings are getting cooler here in the Coachella Valley—which means we can get back on the trails and safely enjoy them right here in our own paradise.
“The CV never disappoints when you are looking for a hiking trail, and I have never met a trail I didn’t like,” said Kerry Hendrix, a friend and an avid Coachella Valley hiker for 15-plus years.
Not long ago, Kerry and friends hiked the Pushawalla Palms Trail in the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve (aka Coachella Valley Preserve). The loop is about 4.5 miles and is considered a moderately challenging route, according to All Trails.
“The trail starts out from a parking area, across the ‘now dry’ riverbed, and up a small ridge,” Hendrix said. “When up this ridge, you continue to climb the ridgeline over the San Andreas Fault. After a mile or so along the ridge, you will see the Pushawalla Palms grove that is fed from underground springs. As you come down the onto the ridge, you will follow the Hidden Horseshoe Trail through a beautiful palm grove. This area can’t be seen from the ridge or from the road out to the preserve. It is a hidden gem, and it’s nice to be in the shade after the sunshine from the ridge. This is not a trail you would want to do in the heat of summer, but it’s lovely for the October to April morning sun.”
I’ve been on this trail myself. After you make the gradual climb up the ridgeline over the fault line and continue along the top of the ridge, you will have 360-degree views of the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains. After scrambling down the rocky ravine into the canyon, you’ll reach the Pushawalla Palms Oasis—a perfect spot for a nice picnic lunch. Be sure to bring some food along with plenty of water, and always remember to pack in and pack out. This is one of the must-do hikes in the Coachella Valley.
Always check the park website or the Friends of the Desert Mountains open/closed trails page to make sure trails are open. It might also be a good idea to check the weather and road conditions. The Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve and with Whitewater Preserve, as of this writing, are closed due to storm damage until further notice.
Parking is allowed at the Pushawalla trailhead, just off the road outside of the visitor center. Most trails may be accessed via the north and south gate of the main entrance, but some trails start at the visitor center, which may be closed on some days. No dogs are allowed at the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve.
Kerry said his favorite Coachella Valley trail is the North Lykken Trail in Palm Springs.
“I love the challenge of the incline from behind the Palm Springs Art Museum and the trail running down the other side to Ramon Road,” Hendrix said.
Another one of Kerry’s favorites is the Palm Desert Cross Trail. “This is a nice workout and can be completed in under an hour for that early morning wakeup or end-of-day stress release,” he said.
Kerry went on to say: “If you are looking for the butt-buster, Painter’s Path and Bump and Grind provide great workouts, but these trails are usually pretty crowded.”
The better weather brings more outdoor events, of course—and in Palm Springs alone, we have three big run/walk events coming up.
The 36th Annual Palm Springs Aerial Tram Road Challenge 6k is Saturday, Oct. 21, at 7 a.m. (6:30 a.m. for walkers). Runners/walkers will gather along Tramway Road and the Palm Springs Visitor Center to conquer what is known as the “toughest 6k in the world!” Starting at the desert floor near Highway 111 at 700 feet above sea level, Tramway Road has more than 1,800 feet of elevation gain over 3.7 miles to the finish line, just below the Valley Station, at more than 2,600 feet. That’s a challenge! Get more details and register at tramroadchallenge.com.
One week later is the DAP Health Equity Walk (formerly known as Desert AIDS Walk). The walk has been renamed to affirm DAP Health’s mission to remove all barriers to care. Kickoff time is 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, at Ruth Hardy Park in Palm Springs, where thousands will come together and “Walk Out Loud” to take a stand in helping create a more just system, where everyone will have the opportunity to achieve optimal health. This event is family- and pet-friendly and will feature a Health and Wellness Village at Ruth Hardy Park. You can walk with a team or individually while knowing that every step and dollar raised helps provide comprehensive and compassionate health care to people across the Coachella Valley. Who’s with me? Learn more and register to walk at HealthEquityWalk.org.
The following week is Palm Springs Pride 5K Run and Walk, on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 8 to 11 a.m. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities come together to raise funds for local LGBTQ+ organizations and promote inclusivity in our community and sports. This annual event is proudly hosted by the Palm Springs Front Runners and Walkers, a local chapter of International Frontrunners, an informal network of LGBTQ running groups around the world committed to providing much-needed services to the diverse LGBTQ+ community.
Since 2016, the Palm Springs Pride 5K Run and Walk has raised more than $150,000 for local charities, including the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert, the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, Brothers of the Desert, Safe Schools Desert Cities, and Greater Palm Springs Pride.
The run and walk begins at West Chino Drive at Belardo Road and meanders through the beautiful and historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood, once home to many Hollywood celebrities. The beautiful, mostly flat, 3.1-mile out-and-back course is on paved streets. There will be volunteers on the course to cheer you on and keep you moving in the right direction. To learn more, view the course map and register, visit www.palmspringspriderun.com.
I hope to see you out there at these great events. The weather is cooler now, so it is a perfect time to get out and get some good exercise—while having fun doing it.