Email
Print
FeedHappy Trails - Painted Canyon
Philip Ferranti
Length: 5 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Elevation Gain: 450 feet
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
Season: October to April
Information: 1-760-833-7100
Directions:
Take I-10 several miles past Indio heading east. Take the 86 S. Expressway exit toward Brawley. After turning right onto the 86 S. Expressway, travel nearly 10 miles to 62nd Avenue. Turn left and drive several miles until reaching Johnson Street. Turn right and drive several miles to 66th Avenue (Box Canyon Road and turn left. Proceed almost five miles to the green sign indicating Painted Canyon. Turn left onto this dirt road and proceed almost four miles. Check with the BLM Office for road conditions at 1-760-251-4800.
Painted Canyon cuts through the middle of a colorful, exotic landscape via a loop hike using a series of ladders. A word of caution: The ladders are sometimes maintained by volunteers. If you judge something unsafe or doubt your ability, try doing Little Painted Canyon Loop instead.
To begin, walk into the large canyon marked by steep, lilac-colored walls located right of the road sign and behind the BLM sign. About a quarter mile in, you’ll find a signpost to the right pointing across the canyon to the left. Walk across the canyon as the signpost directs and climb up the right side of what looks like an impassable rock slide. This trail follows the collapsed canyon until you reach the first and tallest ladder. At the top, the trail takes you through a magnificent slot canyon and rises after you’ve negotiated several smaller ladders.
After another quarter mile, the canyon splits. Take the split to the left. Avoid side canyons (footprints can help guide the way). The canyon slowly rises, taking many turns. Eventually you will reach several more small ladders. Climb these and continue hiking until you reach a large pile of rocks. Continue north on the trail as it climbs up to join another trail. Turn north (left) and follow the trail as it skirts the edge of Painted Canyon. Eventually you will see a group of large radio towers. Continue almost a mile, then take the trail that drops right and down into Painted Canyon.
To return, proceed down canyon, taking the fork to the right. After a mile, the canyon narrows. Descend the last several ladders to a lower canyon. Continue until you are back to your starting point.
Adapted with permission from Philip Ferranti’s book, 140 Great Hikes in and Near Palm Springs (Big Earth Publishing). www.philipferranti.com
