Hiking in the desert heat is no joke.
It is dangerous! It can be life-threatening! No matter how experienced you are at hiking, you need to be smart and prepare properly to hike in the desert heat.
If you plan to hike in the desert from June through September, avoid being on the trails during the hottest time of the day. The desert heats up fast; generally, you want to be out early and off the trail by 9 or 10 a.m. Wear sunscreen; a brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck; and clothing that’s lighter in color, lightweight, loose-fitting and breathable (preferably UPF-rated). It’s also a good idea to wear a wet bandana or cooling towel around your neck.
Always take more water than you should need—at least one liter per hour—and always be prepared for the unexpected. Have a plan, and always tell someone where you’re going. In addition, don’t forget the 10 Essentials for Desert Hiking as suggested by Friends of the Desert Mountains; learn more at www.desertmountains.org/10-essentials.
The Palm Springs Fire Department has already made some heat-related rescues this year. They recently rescued a hiker suffering from symptoms of heat exhaustion while hiking with a lack of water on the Museum Trail around noon. They recommend that hikers take extra precautions when hiking in and around the city during high temperatures. You can read the full rescue story and see important tips from the PSFD at kesq.com/news/2024/05/01/hiker-rescued-from-palm-springs-trail-after-suffering-from-heat-exhaustion.
The PSFD points out how important it is to know the signs of heat-related emergencies, such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and disorientation. If you experience any of these symptoms, turn back or call for help. Don’t hesitate to call 911. Take a fully charged cell phone/GPS device. Knowing these important tips can save your life! KESQ News Channel 3 has a “First Alert” app, and it’s free. You can stay up to date with the latest weather conditions. Download it at kesq.com/news/2018/12/01/download-the-first-alert-weather-app.
Many people prefer to skip hiking in the desert heat and instead travel a short distance to hike on cooler trails. Fortunately, the Coachella Valley is surrounded by tall mountain ranges with some of the most scenic trails and wilderness areas in Southern California—and temperatures can be up to 30 degrees cooler.
The San Bernardino Mountains to the north are the highest and most rugged mountain range in Southern California, with San Gorgonio Mountain, the highest peak in Southern California, towering at 11,503 feet above sea level. Rising abruptly from the west, directly above Palm Springs, is the San Jacinto Mountains. Mount San Jacinto is the second-highest peak in Southern California, at 10,834 feet. About 22 miles south of Palm Springs, just south and southeast of Highway 74 and on the northeast side of Anza-Borrego’s Upper Coyote Canyon, are the Santa Rosa Mountains. The highest peak there is Toro Peak at 8,716 feet—but much of Toro Peak is on private property, with only a portion on public land. Don’t go beyond the locked gate without proper permission from the Santa Rosa Indian Reservation.
Meanwhile, Mount San Jacinto State Park has announced that the Skyline Route Trail (aka Cactus to the Clouds) has reopened. The warmer weather has melted a considerable amount of the snow on the trail, allowing State Parks to safely reopen the route to hikers. They warn that if you plan on taking the long hike from Palm Springs to Long Valley, remember to carefully plan out your route and understand that this is a treacherous journey. Be sure to pack warm clothes; bring plenty of food and water; and have an emergency plan. This trail is not for the faint-hearted and requires a high level of fitness and stamina.
Thanks to our surrounding mountain ranges, there are many, many more trails an hour to 90 minutes away. Many of these trails provide shade, cooler temperatures and so much more.
One of my favorite scenic go-to trails for a great day hike to escape the desert heat is the Pacific Crest Trail Section B, located north of Highway 74. It’s a half-mile east of the junction with Highway 371, at Paradise Valley Café in Garner Valley. There’s a small dirt parking area at the trailhead. Many other trails intersect with this one, as it runs along the Desert Divide. The moderately easy six-mile stretch along this trail is absolutely stunning as you traverse through magnificent manzanitas among beautiful flora before reaching an exquisitely exposed rock area. You will hear the wind passing through the Jeffrey pines as birds sing, while scents of manzanita blooms loom in the air. It is serene and a wonderful place to bring some snacks or a picnic lunch and make a day of it—but always remember to pack in and pack out! My goal is to make it 12 miles to the Cedar Springs Trail—and then one mile farther to Cedar Springs.
I recently hiked a little more than four miles of the Cedar Springs Trail, out and back. It begins just off Morris Ranch Road, a four-mile drive north of Highway 74, east of Lake Hemet and west of Garner Valley. This is a most unique and scenic trail that travels through private property, so be respectful, and follow signage; close gates; and stay on the trail. It’s an easy three-mile trail that begins at 5,760 feet. It’s mostly rocky with a mix of fallen acorns along the path for the first mile or so. After going through a couple of gates at about 3/4 of a mile, you enter a cow pasture. Then the trail goes through a beautiful meadow where you can take a break at one of the few picnic tables and hang out underneath some massive oak trees before going through a fern basin and, finally, hitting the rock trail of switchbacks at around mile 2. This trail meanders along a running spring that you cross over a few times. Just before the switchbacks, you can see where the underground spring begins. It’s so cool! After you hit the switchbacks, you are surrounded by yucca plants and their beautiful blooms this time of the year. At around 6,000 feet, you can catch a glimpse of Lake Hemet off in the distance. This was my turn-around point—but I do plan to go back and make it to Cedar Springs, which should be another 1 1/2 miles from this point.
Although these trails are at a higher elevation and offer a fair amount of shade, you still need to bring the trail essentials and enough water, and you should wear proper trail shoes and attire, including a brimmed hat; be sure to use sunscreen. An adventure pass is required to be displayed in vehicles, see information at www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation.
Have fun—but be safe! See you on the trails!