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

REQUIREMENTS: Register with the respective 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 requires 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 may be left behind.

NFAP: A National Forest Adventure Pass is required on some hikes - available 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 also accepted in the National Forests in lieu of a NFAP.

CARPOOLING: Ride sharing is required for some hikes. 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, therefore, relinquishing any responsibility towards Desert Trails Hiking Club.

Reserve the Date! MARCH 24-27 is the Club’s SPRING GETAWAY in RED ROCK CANYON near Las Vegas. Check the club website for more details!

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Tues Jan 1 2 pm Cathedral Canyon Trail (Cathedral City); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; work off those holiday calories with this New Year’s afternoon hike; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Wed Jan 2 2:00pm Henderson (Palm Desert); Easy; 3 miles; 500 ft; Trail is accessed from the National Monument Visitor's Center on Hwy 74; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Fri Jan 4 8:00am Araby-Berns-Shannon Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 7 miles; 1200 ft; Pass celebrity houses of Bob Hope and Steve McQueen on this hike though a mountain pass; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Sat Jan 5 8:00am East Fork-Vandeventer Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 7 miles; 1400 ft; Some rock scrambling; entry fee; John Green (760) 469-2791.

Sun Jan 6 8:00am Carey's Castle (Joshua Tree NP); Strenuous; 8 miles; 1400 ft; Boulder scrambling to a prospector's abandoned home; strange and exquisite rock formations; Darrol (760) 288-0312.

Tues Jan 8 8:00am Big Horn Overlook (Palm Desert); Moderate; 4 miles; 800 ft; Fantastic views of the desert cities; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Tues Jan 8 4-6pm JANUARY SOCIAL Cimarron Golf Resort in Cathedral City; RSVP by EVITE by January 4; for members without e-mail, RSVP to Mary (760) 325-7002; $10 per person for great assortment of appetizers; no host bar. No shows will be charged.

Thurs Jan 10 8:00am Morrow Trail (La Quinta); Easy; 6 miles; 300ft; Hike to a lake; Ed (760) 770-2800.

Fri Jan 11 8:30am Mid-Lykken (Palm Springs); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; Climb from the end of Ramon Road to the tables above the Palm Springs museum and return the same way; great views of the town and valley; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Sat Jan 12 8:00am; Maynard Mine (Palm Springs); Strenuous; 6 miles; 2400 ft; Entry fee; Hike to a tungsten mine worked during WWII; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Sun Jan 13 8:00am 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 Jan 15 8:00am Araby-Berns-Shannon Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 7 miles; 1200 ft; Pass celebrity houses of Bob Hope and Steve McQueen on this hike though a mountain pass; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Wed Jan 16 9:00am Eisenhower Loop (Palm Desert); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; Entry fee for the Living Desert for those who are not members; catch the 2pm live animal and bird show after the hike; Brian and Chris (760) 324-5631.

Wed Jan 16 8:00am Lost Palms Oasis and Mastodon Loop (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 9 miles; 1200 ft; Entry fee; A magical oasis on the east side of JTNP; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Thurs Jan 17 9:00am Henderson Trail (Palm Springs); Easy; 3 miles; 300 ft; Located at the toe of Smoketree mountain; Gayle (760) 320-2024 or Mary (760) 325-7002.

Fri Jan 18 8:30am Cahuilla Hills Park to the Cross to Bighorn Overlook via Hopalong Cassidy (Palm Desert); Moderate; 7 miles; 1900 ft; New trail around a new golf course; a few steep ups and downs; shuttle required; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Sat Jan 19 8:00am Andreas and Palm Canyons Intro (Palm Springs); Easy; 3 miles; 500 ft; Entry fee; See lush oases in the Indian Canyons; John Tang (760) 324-0932.

Sun Jan 20 8:00am Araby-Eagle Canyon Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 8 miles; 1200 ft; Hike by Bob Hope's house and then into a lush canyon; John Green (760) 469-2791.

Tues Jan 22 8:00am Hopalong to the Cross and Bighorn Overlook (Palm Desert); Moderate; 6 miles; 1900 ft; strong moderate hike with lots of ups and downs; short shuttle required; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Wed Jan 23 8:00am Whitewater Preserve Trail Building (West of Desert Hot Springs); Help expand trails in this beautiful new preserve, receive updates on program progress, and then picnic in the park-like setting we enjoyed at our November social; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Thurs Jan 24 8:00am Magnesia Falls (Rancho Mirage); Strenuous; 5 miles; 400 ft; Strenuous due to rock climbing of amazing dry waterfalls; Ed (760) 770-2800.

Thurs Jan 24 9:am Hopalong Cassidy (Palm Desert); Moderate; 4 miles; 600 ft; The famous cowboy lived in Palm Desert; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Fri Jan 25 8:00am Ladder/Painted Canyon (Mecca); Moderate; 5 miles; 700 ft; A "must see" venture through narrow canyons accessed by ladders; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Sat Jan 26 8:00am Crazy Eight Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 8 miles; 800 ft; Some rock scrambling; John Tang (760) 324-0932.

Sun Jan 27 8:00am Joshua Tree Medley (Joshua Tree NP); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; Historical hike exploring the colorful mining and ranching of the area; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues Jan 29 8:00am Pushawalla Palms (CV Preserve); Moderate; 6 miles; 800 ft.; Hike on an earthquake fault; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Wed Jan 30 8:00am Bump and Grind (Rancho Mirage); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; Famous workout hill near Highway 111; Brian and Chris (760) 324-5631.

Thurs Jan 31 9:00am Lost Palms Oasis (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 7 miles; 600 ft; Entry fee; A magical oasis on the east side of JTNP; Kim (760) 360-3785.

Fri Feb 1 8:00am Morrow Trail (La Quinta); Easy; 6 miles; 300ft; Hike to a lake; Judie (760) 771-2981.

Sat Feb 2 8:00am A Mine, a Mill, and a Mountain (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 6 miles; 1200 ft; See the ruins of early twentieth century gold seeking and hear stories of the infamous miners; entry fee; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Sun Feb 3 8:00am Pushawalla Palms (CV Preserve); Moderate; 6 miles; 800 ft.; Hike on an earthquake fault; Darrol (760) 288-0312.

Sun Feb 3 8:00am West Fork to Andreas Canyon (Palm Springs); Strenuous; 8 miles; 2400 ft; Entry fee; shuttle required; John Green (760) 469-2791.

Tues Feb 5 8:00am East Oasis Trail (south end of Coachella Valley); Moderate; 8 miles; 700 ft; Hike along a rocky alluvial fan to an old petroglyph site; some easy off-trail walking; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Tues Feb 5 8:00am Magnesia Falls (Rancho Mirage); Strenuous; 5 miles; 400 ft; Strenuous due to rock climbing of amazing dry waterfalls; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Tues Feb 5 4-6pm FEBRUARY SOCIAL Leon’s at the Indian Canyons Golf Course in Palm Springs. RSVP by EVITE by February 1; for members without e-mail, RSVP to Mary (760) 325-7002; $10 per person for great assortment of appetizers; no host bar. No shows will be charged.

Wed Feb 6 8:00am Murray Canyon/Coffman Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 7 miles; 1000 ft; Entry fee; Walk through old growth palms along a babbling brook; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Thurs Feb 7 8:00am Art Smith to Schey Trail (Palm Desert); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Fri Feb 8 8:00am Garston-Shannon-Henderson Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 5 miles; 1000 ft; Ed (760) 770-2800.

Sat Feb 9 8:00am Bulls Eye Rock (Palm Springs); Strenuous; 9 miles; 1800 ft; Entry fee; Some off-trail hiking and a climb of a big round rock that looks like a bull’s eye; John Tang (760) 324-0932.

Sun Feb 10 9:00am Victor Loop (Palm Springs); Easy; 3 miles; 600 ft; Entry fee; John Green (760) 469-2791.

Sun Feb 10 8:00am Ladder/Painted Canyon (Mecca); Moderate; 5 miles; 700 ft; A "must see" venture through narrow canyons accessed by ladders; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues Feb 12 8:00am Palm Canyon Trail (Borrego Springs, Anza-Borrego SP); Easy; 3 miles; 400 ft; Drive one hour from Indio to the State Park headquarters where we will view a film on Bighorn sheep and check out the museum. Hike to a small waterfall. Morteros and a chance at a Bighorn sighting; lunch after at Pablitos; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Tues Feb 12 8:30am Fox Canyon to the top of Bump and Grind via Hopalong Cassidy (Palm Desert); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; not for the "height challenged" – some parts of the trail are steep and narrow; great views of Palm Desert; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Wed Feb 13 8:00am Big Morongo Preserve Hike and Trail Maintenance. Enjoy a 3 mile hike, help maintain the trails in this preserve, a small jewel in our desert and host for great club socials past and future. Bonus: the tree frogs will be in full mating voice. Lunch after. Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Fri Feb 15 1:30pm Henderson (Palm Desert); Easy; 3 miles; 500 ft; Trail is accessed from the National Monument Visitor's Center on Hwy 74; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Sat Feb 16 8:00am Murray Hill (Palm Springs); Strenuous; 8 miles; 2200 ft; A not-so-little hill overlooking the valley; Brian and Chris (760) 324-5631.

Sun Feb 17 8:00am Black Rock/Two Loops (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 6 miles; 600 ft; Diverse vegetation and great views; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues Feb 19 8:00am Ladder/Painted Canyon (Mecca); Moderate; 5 miles; 700 ft; A "must see" venture through narrow canyons accessed by ladders; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Wed Feb 20 8:30am Araby-Berns to Wildhorse to Murray Peak (Palm Springs); Strenuous; 11 miles; 2500 ft plus; great views of Andreas hills and Indian canyons along the ridge and up to a stunning vista point; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Thurs Feb 21 8:30am Mid-Lykken Trail (Palm Springs); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; climb from the end of Ramon Road to the tables above the Palm Springs museum and return the same way. Great views of the town and valley. Gayle (760) 320-2024 or Mary (760) 325-7002

Sat Feb 23 8:00am Eagle Canyon Discovery (Cathedral City); Moderate; 8 miles; 1000 ft; Rock scramble to dry waterfalls; return to hidden palms; hike lower Eagle Canyon; John Tang (760) 324-0932.

Sat Feb 23 8:00am Bear Creek Ridge Oasis (La Quinta); Strenuous; 9 miles; 2500 ft; Hike to a hidden oasis above La Quinta;; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Sun Feb 24 8:00am Samuelson's Rocks (Joshua Tree NP); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; Historical hike to find and savor the chiseled musings of a desert rat/homesteader; entry fee; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues Feb 26 8:00am Contact Mine (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate; 4 miles; 1000 ft; entry fee; lunch after at the 29 Palms Inn; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Wed Feb 27 7:00am Murray Hill Loop (Palm Springs); Strenuous and fast paced – feel the burn ; 8 miles; 2200 ft; fantastic views; John T. (760) 324-0932.

Thurs Feb 28 8:30am Willis Palms (CV Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; Great views and an oasis; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Thurs Feb 28 8:00am Eisenhower Loop (Palm Desert); Moderate; 5 miles; 900 ft; Fee for those who are not members of the Living Desert; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Fri Feb 29 8:00am Moon Country (CV Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; See one of the most scenic palm oases and pup fish; Judie (760) 771-2981.

Sat March 1 8:00am Horsethief Creek (Pinyon); Moderate; 5 miles; 1200 ft; Hike past an abandoned dolomite mine; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Sun March 2 HIKE FOR HOPE IN INDIAN CANYONS Check the newspaper for the many hikes that are part of this worthy fundraiser.

Tues March 4 8:00am Magnesia Falls (Rancho Mirage); Strenuous; 5 miles; 400 ft; Strenuous due to rock climbing of amazing dry waterfalls; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Tues March 4 5-9pm DESERT TRAILS ANNUAL PARTY at the Commissary in Rancho Mirage. Three course gourmet dinner with music, dancing and special guest entertainment. Order forms will be available on the club website and at the January and February socials. Deadline is Feb. 14 for reservations. DO NOT MISS THIS FUN EVENING! For more information, contact Mary (760) 325-7002.

Wed March 5 8:00am Willis Palms (CV Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; Great views and an oasis; Judie (760) 771-2981.

Thurs March 6 8:00am South Lykken Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 4 miles; 800 ft; Ed (760) 770-2800.

Thurs March 6 9:00am Mastodon Peak and Mortens Mill (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate 5 miles; 650 ft; Kim (760) 360-3785.

Fri March 7 8am Murray Canyon (Palm Springs); Moderate; 5 miles; 500 ft; Entry fee; walk through old growth palms along a babbling brook; John (760) 324-0932.

Fri March 7 7:30am Art Smith to Dunn Road (Palm Desert); Strenuous: 16 miles; 1200 ft; Panoramic views of the valley with palm oases and awe-inspiring canyons; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Sat March 8 8:00am Bear Creek Ridge Oasis (La Quinta); Strenuous; 9 miles; 2500 ft; Hike to a hidden oasis above La Quinta;; Jim (760) 342-1582.

Sun March 9 8:00am Medicine Chest, Food Larder, Clothing Store: Native use of plants (Big Morongo Preserve); Easy; 4 miles; 400 ft; join Naturalist Dee Zeller for a tasting and learning experience as we traverse the preserve; lunch after; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Tues March 11 8:00am Ladder/Painted Canyon (Mecca); Moderate; 5 miles; 700 ft; A "must see" venture through narrow canyons accessed by ladders; Rochelle (760) 399-5986.

Wed March 12 8:00am Ruth's Ramble (Desert Hot Springs); Easy; 4 miles; 500 ft; Lower Mission Creek off trail; See unusual "Hydra" (many headed) barrel cacti; Rich and Vera (719) 337-4260.

Thurs March 13 8:00am Murray Canyon (Palm Springs); Moderate; 5 miles; 500 ft; Entry fee; cross a stream 15 times on the way to a beautiful waterfall; must have hiking poles!; Gayle (760) 320-2024 or Mary (760) 325-7002.

Thurs March 13 8:00am Big Horn Overlook (Palm Desert); Moderate; 4 miles; 800 ft; Fantastic views of the desert cities; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Fri March 14 7:30am Cactus Springs (Pinyon); Strenuous; 9 miles; 1200 ft; Fine mountain views and abundant vegetation; Jane (760) 340-3539.

Sat March 15 8:00am Fern Canyon Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 6 miles; 1600 ft; Entry fee; John Tang (760) 324-0932.

Sun March 16 7:30am Big Horn Loop (Palm Desert); Moderate; 7 miles; 1700ft; Good workout with views of plush hillside golf courses and homes; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Wed March 19 8:00am Araby-Berns-Shannon Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 7 miles; 1200 ft; Pass celebrity houses of Bob Hope and Steve McQueen on this hike though a mountain pass; Brian and Chris (760) 324-5631.

Thurs March 20 8:00am Pushawalla Palms (CV Preserve); Moderate; 6 miles; 800 ft.; Hike on an earthquake fault; Chris Zobel (760) 340-5016.

Thurs March 20 7:30am Mastodon Peak and Mortens Mill (Joshua Tree NP); Moderate 5 miles; 650 ft; should see wildflowers; Christy (760) 469-2791.

Fri March 21 8:00am Good Friday hike to the Cross via Hopalong Cassidy (Palm Desert); Moderate; 4 miles; 800 ft; good workout on this trail and nice views of Palm Desert; Jonelle (760) 341-0632.

Sat March 22 8:00am Crazy Eight Loop (Palm Springs); Moderate; 8 miles; 800 ft; Some rock scrambling; Darrol (760) 288-0312.

Monday March 24 until Thursday March 27 is theClub’s SPRING GETAWAY in RED ROCK CANYON near Las Vegas. Check the club website for more details!