In the Cove, the southernmost part of La Quinta, you will find 114 acres of open space at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, part of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.
The Cove is filled with a variety of intertwined trails that range from flat and easy to strenuous, with breathtaking views and something for everyone. In fact, Cove trails have been listed among the best in the nation by Sunset Magazine.
There are three main trails, all of which can be accessed from Avenida Bermudas/Calle Tecate. If you put “La Qunita Cove Oasis Trails” into your GPS system, you will be directed to a large gravel parking lot with a dog-friendly resting/walking area, nice restrooms, water access and a trail map to get you started. You will see a sign saying Cove Trailhead. You can also continue past the large parking lot to a smaller lot off of Calle Tecate and begin your hike at the Cove Oasis Trailhead. All trails connect, so it’s really up to you to make your hike what you want it to be.
The La Quinta Cove Oasis Trail is an easy, 1.8-mile loop with an elevation gain of just 161 feet. It’s a social trail, perfect for families and their pets. A mostly flat gravel path goes along the top of the levee. Shortly after passing underneath the Cove Oasis Trail sign, look to the right, and you will find a beautifully landscaped date palm oasis with gazebos and picnic tables, benches, and a water fountain with fresh water for the fur babies. It’s a great place for a rest, to have a picnic, or to simply enjoy a bit of shade along with the surroundings of natural beauty.
From here, several trails branch off into the wilderness area, where dogs are not allowed. For a moderate, 2.8-mile out-and-back with an elevation gain of 629 feet, you can take the Cove Trail to Quarry Overlook Trail. Once you reach the overlook, you will be rewarded with 360-degree scenic views. It’s a perfect place to see the sunset, and you may catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep and other wildlife. If so, please be respectful, and keep your distance. For a longer hike, you may continue to Lake Cahuilla; that’s just more than 6 miles out-and-back with an elevation gain of around 900 feet; follow the Cove to Lake Trail signs. There is a fee to enter the park at the lake, but you can double back on the trail.
Two longer and more strenuous backcountry trails in the area are Bear Creek and Boo Hoff. These are tough, and dogs are not allowed. Don’t attempt these trails if you’re not in shape to do some serious climbing!
The Bear Creek Oasis Trail is a hard but spectacular 9-mile out-and-back with a max elevation gain of 2,300 feet; it could take about four to five hours or longer to complete. After the first flat and easy mile past the oasis picnic area, go through the Bear Creek wash—follow the nicely marked signs—to the Santa Rosa foothills (on the right). You’ll start the climb along the ridges and switchbacks that eventually lead you to a point of spectacular views where you can see Mount San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, across the Coachella Valley and the Salton Sea. From there, you can continue to the highest point and wind your way down into a gorgeous hidden fan palm oasis canyon.
The Boo Hoff Trail is to the left of the Bear Creek Trail. You will start this hike from the large parking lot at the Cove Trailhead and follow the well-marked Cove to Lake trail signs. It’s a strenuous 8.8-mile hike (or it can be almost 13 miles as a loop) with an elevation gain of more than 2,300 feet; it can take more than six hours to complete. This is a historic trail in the Santa Rosas that started as an Indigenous path and was enhanced and named later by the Desert Riders, an equestrian group that’s protected and enhanced trails in the Coachella Valley for more than 70 years. Much like the Bear Creek Trail, this trail takes you out of civilization and into majestic flora and fauna. You may catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep along this trail, and there will be spectacular views of the Salton Sea and the peaks of San Jacinto and San Gorgonio. At about the halfway point before the lake, you can take the Guadalupe Trail and continue deeper into the Santa Rosa Wilderness, although I recommend against this, as this trail can be difficult to follow in places, and hiker rescues are not uncommon here. You can turn around here or stay on the Boo Hoff Trail as it heads east toward Lake Cahuilla, and end your hike there, if you have arranged for a shuttle. Alternately, loop back to La Quinta Cove via the La Quinta Cove Lake Trail for a round-trip distance of nearly 13 miles.
Now is a fantastic time to hike the La Quinta Cove trails thanks to cooler temperatures. It can get very windy, and there’s little to no shade, so be prepared with all your hiking essentials. Bring extra water, as it is very easy to get off track with the maze of inner-connecting trails in this area. Start early to avoid the heat regardless of the time of year.
The Cove area is one of the best places in the Coachella Valley for star-gazing and full moon hikes. Friends of the Desert Mountains usually hosts two hikes a month during the cooler months from November through March. They meet at the top of the Cove at the smaller parking lot at Avenida Bermudas and Calle Tecate. You’ll need to register for a free ticket to attend at least seven days prior, to keep group sizes less than 20 people. For more information and to find out specific dates, call 760-568-9918, or visit www.desertmountains.org/calendar.
Prepare for your hike by wearing layers of proper hiking gear and good hiking shoes, and have sun protection—at least a brimmed hat. Trekking poles are also great for the trails. Most importantly, make sure you bring plenty of water, at least a liter of water per person, per hour. The Cove area has so many intersecting and unmarked trails that it’s a good idea to download a pocket map to take with you. And always pack in, and pack out—leave no trace!
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