Desert Trails Hiking Club leads hikes in and around the Coachella Valley

REQUIREMENTS: Register with the listed hike leader not more than one week in advance between the hours of 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. Bring proper hiking gear, i.e., boots, windbreaker/rain gear, gloves, hat, sunscreen, etc., 1-4 quarts of water and whatever else the hike leader asks you to bring. Good hiking boots are mandatory. Please notify the hike leader if you cannot make a hike for which you have registered. Remember to be punctual at the meeting place or you will be left behind.

NFAP: A National Forest Adventure Pass (NFAP) is required on some hikes. A NFAP may be purchased at the BLM Visitors Center on Hwy 74, at all Big 5 Sporting Goods, or any National Forest Ranger Station. The National Park Service’s Golden Age Passport or Golden Eagle Passport is accepted in National Forests in lieu of a NFAP.

CARPOOLING: Ride sharing is required for some hikes. The suggested contribution is $1.00/per 10 miles to be given to the driver for gas, cleaning and maintenance of the vehicle.

If you choose not to finish a hike with us, you are required to sign out, thereby relinquishing any responsibility of the Desert Trails Hiking Club.

Tues April 1 8:00am Oswit Canyon Trail (Palm Springs); Easy, 3 miles, 600 ft. Nice stroll through the wildflowers to a palm oasis on the trail adjacent to the South Lykken trailhead at Murray Canyon Dr.
Gayle (760) 320-2024.

Thurs April 3 8:00am Chuckwalla Loop ( Rancho Mirage); Moderate; 6miles; 1000 ft; close in good views of the Valley; Ed 760-770-2800.

Fri April 4 7:30am Moon Country (CV Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; See a scenic palm oasis and wildflowers with naturalist Joe Migliore; limited to 15 hikers; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Sat April 5 8:30 am Ernie Maxwell Trail (Idyllwild); Easy; 5 miles, 300 ft; Lunch in town, possible art show after; Dee (760) 346-3288.

Sun April 6 7:30am Horsethief Creek (Pinyon); Moderate; 5 miles; 1200 ft; Trail leads through chaparral flora, past corrals used by horsethieves, and on to a creek where horses watered; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues April 8 7:45am Eisenhower Loop (Palm Desert); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; Fee for those who are not members of the Living Desert; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Tues April 8 4-7 pm. APRIL SOCIAL at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley This is a week later then usual since the club will just be getting back from the Getaway on March 28. Join us for a delightful potluck and stroll through the walkways and trails. There are always birds and wildlife to observe. Bring a dish to share and your own drinks. We will be at their nature education center with tables and chairs. This is a free event. RSVP by EVITE by April 4; for members without e-mail, please RSVP by calling Mary (760) 325-7002 after March 28.

Wed April 9 8:00am Wonderland of Rocks Loop (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 5 miles; 600 ft; all off-trail with moderate rock scrambling from Garrett’s Arch to the Wall Street Mill; no GPS devices allowed without prior hike leader approval; lunch after at the Rib Co; entry fee; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Thurs April 10 9:00am Lost Palms Oasis (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 7 miles; 600 ft; Entry fee; A magical oasis on the east side of JTNP with wildflowers; Kim (760) 360-3785.

Tues April 15 7:45am Ladder/Painted Canyon (Mecca); Moderate; 5 miles; 600 ft; A "must see" venture through narrow canyons accessed by ladders; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Thurs April 17 7:30am Garston- Shannon-Henderson Loop; (Palm Springs); Moderate; 5miles; 1000 ft; Ed (760) 770-2800.

Sun April 20 7:30am Covington Loop (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 6 miles; 500 ft; Mixed topography and vegetation zones with large Joshua trees; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues April 22 8:00am Panorama Overlook; (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 7 miles; 1200 ft; great 360 degree view awaits you at the top; lunch after; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Thurs April 24 9:00am Moon Country (CV Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; See one of the most scenic palm oases and pup fish; Kim (760) 360-3785.

Sun April 27 7:30am Spitler Peak (Garner Valley); Strenuous; 11 miles; 2600 ft.; Gorgeous views and some stretches of shade; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Tues April 29 7:45am Eisenhower Loop (Palm Desert); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; Fee for those who are not members of the Living Desert; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Sat May 3 7:30am Thomas Mt. via Toolbox Springs (Garner Valley); Strenuous; 12 miles; 2300 ft; Hike through ribbonwoods, oaks and pines with views of Garner and Anza valleys; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Sun May 4 9:00am Round Valley Loop (PS Tram); Moderate; 6 miles; 600 ft; Tram fee; lunch at Hidden Lake; Darrol (760) 288-0312.

Tues May 6 7:45am Pushawalla Palms (CV Preserve); Moderate; 6 miles; 800 ft.; Hike on an earthquake fault; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Tues May 6 4-6 pm. MAY SOCIAL at Piero’s Acqua Pazza California Bistro, The River, Rancho Mirage. RSVP by EVITE by May 1; for members without e-mail, please RSVP by calling Mary (760) 325-7002 and for more information. No host bar, and ½ priced happy hour menu. No preset fee, you pay as you order.

Thurs May 8 7:00am Humber Park to Tahquitz Meadow (Idyllwild) Moderate; 7 miles; 1700 ft; Hike in the cool forest; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Tues May 13 8:00am Horsethief Creek (Pinyon); Moderate; 5 miles; 1300 ft; Hike past an abandoned dolomite mine; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Sun May 18 8:00am San Jacinto Peak (PS Tram); Strenuous; 12 miles; 2400 ft; Tram fee; spectacular hiking high in the mountains; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Tues May 20 7:45AM Magnesia Falls (Rancho Mirage); Strenuous; 5 miles; 400 ft; Scale amazing dry waterfalls; previous rock-scrambling experience required; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Tues May 27 8:00am Pacific Coast North of Hwy 74; (Garner Valley); Moderate; 5 miles; 800 ft; Hike part of the famous national trail; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Sun June 8 8:00am Tram to Idyllwild Shuttle Hike (PS Tram); Moderate; 9 miles; 600 ft gain and 2400 ft loss; max of 5 members only; $20 shuttle fee; lunch on the trail; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Sun June 15 9:00am Wellman’s Divide (PS Tram); Moderate; 6 miles; 1100ft; tram fee; enjoy coolness among the pines; Darrol (760) 288-0312.

Sun June 22 8:00am Cornell Peak (PS Tram); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; hike to an overlook of the Banning Pass; short and steep final scramble to the peak; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Sun June 29 8:00am South Fork Meadows (Big Bear); Moderate; 8 miles; 1600 ft; lunch at the creek; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.